GB2338895A

GB2338895A - Cushion.

Info

Publication number: GB2338895A
Application number: GB9913626A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dorothy May Mcgill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-13
Filing date: 1999-06-14
Publication date: 2000-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-14
Also published as: GB9913626D0; GB2338895B

Description

2338895 SUPPORT DEVICE The present invention relates to a support device

and, in particular, though not exclusively, to a device for a users back and neck.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for supporting a body part of a user relative to a support apparatus, the device comprising a bag containing a flowable filler material and means for releasably fastening the device to the support apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment the body part which the device supports is at least part of the neck and/or the back of the user.

The support device may be adapted for use by a human or by an animal.

The support device may be adapted to be used with a support apparatus comprising a chair, reclining chair, bed, headboard of a bed, mattress, table (such as an operating table), dentists chair, car/train/plane seat or the like.

The support device may support a body part relative to a portion of a support apparatus, for example, a loose cushion of a chair or a back rest or headboard of a bed e.g. an adjustable back rest of a hospital bed.

In a first embodiment the support device is adapted to be used with a chair, e.g. an armchair.

In a second embodiment the device is adapted to be used with a bed.

-2 The bag may be formed from a textile/fabric material. Preferably, the bag is formed from a material which is waterproof. More particularly the bag is formed from a material which is protected against attack by microfungi and bacteria. more preferably the bag is formed from a material which is washable or dry cleanable. Still more preferably the bag is made from a material which is at least partially elasticated.

In the second embodiment the bag is made from the material Dartex (Trade Mark), a polyurethane transfer coating (409c) on Nylon 66 Fabric (60-16), as manufactured by Penn Nyla, (Courtaulds Textiles).

The flowable filler material may comprise a particulate material such as a plurality of beans or beads.

The releasable fastening means may comprise one or more straps depending from the support device securable, in use, around the support apparatus.

The bag may comprise a first sheet member providing a rear surface intended to contact the support apparatus, in use.

The rear surface may be substantially planar.

The bag may also provide a second sheet member providing a front surface intended to contact the body part of the user, in use.

The front surface may be substantially convex with respect to the body part of the user and concave with respect to the rear surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the bag has dimensions comprising:

height of at least the length between the top of the users neck and the base of the users spine; width of at least the width of the users shoulders at an upper portion and the width of the users back at a lower portion; depth sufficient to provide adequate contoured support around the neck and back.

In a.preferred form of the first embodiment the bag has a height of approximately 66cm and width of approximately 66cm.

In a preferred form of the second embodiment the bag has a height of approximately 70cm and a width of approximately 70cm.

In the preferred form of the first embodiment the bag encloses approximately 1.25 cubic feet of polystyrene beans.

In the preferred form of the second embodiment the bag encloses approximately 1.3 cubic feet of polystyrene beads.

The bag may enclose an inner bag which contains the flowable filler material.

The inner bag may contain a support material to prevent the flowable filler material passing through apertures or the like which may be present in at least a portion of the support apparatus in use.

In the second embodiment the inner bag may include a' compartment for retention of the support material.

The support material may be a high density polystyrene foam.

The bag enclosing the inner bag may have closure means so as to secure the inner bag therein.

In a preferred embodiment the closure means may be a zip.

Preferably, the releasably fastening means comprise at least one horizontal and at least one vertical strap.

One or more of the straps may be formed in whole or part from an elastic material.

One or more of the straps may be formed in whole or part from respective strips of Velcro'.

One or more of the straps may have a D-ring attached to an end remote from the bag.

Preferably, at least one pair of horizontal straps are attached to respective longitudinal sides of the bag.

Preferably, at least one pair of vertical straps are attached to a top most side of the bag.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one vertical strap(s) has loops on the end remote from the bag facilitating releasable engagement with the at least one horizontal strap(s).

The support device may also include an outer cover.

The outer cover may have dimensions approximately equal to the dimensions of the bag. Preferably the outer cover is made from a material which is machine washable or easily laundered.

The outer cover may also include an overlapping flap, arranged such that the outer cover encloses the bag in the same way a pillowcase encloses a pillow. The overlapping flap is preferably located on the rear surface of the bag.

Preferably the outer cover has four apertures.

Preferably the apertures are slots. The apertures may be positioned to allow the straps to pass through the outer cover for use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a body part of a user relative to a support apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing a support device comprising a bag containing a flowable filler material and means for releasably fastening the device to the support apparatus; fastening the device to the support apparatus; placing the body part of the user on the support device so as to support the body part.

In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a method for providing back and neck support to a user, comprising the steps of:

placing the bag against a back vertical portion of a support apparatus; aligning a top of the bag with a top of the back of the support apparatus; positioning the releasably fastening means comprising vertical and horizontal straps around the back -6 vertical portion of the seat apparatus; feeding the horizontal straps through loops in the vertical straps; fastening the horizontal strips to each other to seek to ensure the bag is firmly held against the support apparatus; seating the user in the support apparatus and placing pressure from the users back and head onto the bag.

Thus, it can be seen that when the user is positioned the bag contours to their shape to provide adequate support to their back and neck.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rear surface of a support device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of an armchair having the support device of Fig. 1 attached thereto; Fig. 3 is a front view of the armchair of Fig. 2 having the support device of Fig. 1 attached thereto; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one side and above of the armchair of Fig. 2 having the support device of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 (a) - (c) is a schematic diagrams of (a) a front surface, (b) a rear surface and (c) a side view of an inner bag of a support device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a rear surface of a bag of a support device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a rear surface of an outer cover of a support device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a rear view of the inner bag of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a rear view of the bag of Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is a front view of a support device having the outer cover of Fig. 7 attached to a back rest of a hospital bed; Fig. 11 is a rear view of the support device of Fig.10, attached to a back rest of a hospital bed; Fig. 12 is a front view of a support device having the outer cover of Fig. 7, attached to a back rest of a hospital bed in an alternative configuration; and Fig. 13 is a view of the support device of Fig. 12 in use.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a support device, generally designated 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 3 is adapted to support a body part of a user. In particular, in this embodiment the device 3 is adapted to support at least a portion of a neck and/or back of a user seated in a chair.

The device 3 comprises a bag 2 containing a flowable -8 filler material 20, and further includes means for releasably fastening the device 3 to a support apparatus which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The bag 3 contains an inner bag 12 which holds the flowable filler material 20. In this embodiment the flowable filler material comprises 1.25 cubic feet of polystyrene beads. The bag 3 and inner bag 12 have planar rear surfaces and the front surfaces are convex when viewed from the front. The dimensions of the bag 3 and inner bag 12 are approximately 66cm in width and 66cm in height. The bag 3 has an upper support portion 4 which is wider than a lower support portion 6. At a point between the upper support portion 4 and the lower support portion 6, a zip fastener 10 is located. The zip fastener 10 facilitates the insertion and removal of the inner bag 12 from the bag 2. In this way, bag 2 can be easily cleaned.

At a top most side of the bag 2 are located two vertical securing straps 8. The vertical securing straps 8 are made from elastic and have an end loop 7 remote from the bag 2. Two horizontal securing straps 9, attached to the bag 2 at each longitudinal side, are fastened through the end loops 7 to releasably engage the vertical securing straps 8 to the horizontal securing straps 9. The horizontal securing straps 9 are at least partly made from respective strips of Velcro'. At end remote from the bag a D-ring 11 is attached to each horizontal securing strap 9.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 of the drawings depicting a fastening arrangement of the support device 3 when positioned around a back vertical portion 14 of a support apparatus 5. The top of the bag 2 is aligned with the top of the back vertical portion 14 of the support apparatus 5. The vertical securing straps 8 are placed over the top of the back vertical portion 14 of the support apparatus 5. The horizontal securing straps 9 are positioned around the support apparatus 5. The horizontal securing straps 9 are pushed through the end loops 7 and are drawn over each other to opposing sides of the back vertical portion 14 of the support apparatus 5. The vertical securing straps 8 are pulled firmly down to hold the upper support portion 4 of the bag 2 against the vertical back portion 14 of the support apparatus 5. The horizontal securing straps 9 are secured by engaging the respective Velcro' strips.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 of the drawings which depicts the support device 3 viewed from the front, correctly positioned on the support apparatus S. The bag 2 is positioned such that the upper support portion 4 corresponds to the position of a users neck and head when seated in the support apparatus 5. The lower support portion 6 of the bag 2 supports the users lower back when seated. The lower support portion 6 is positioned at the base of the vertical back portion 14 of the support apparatus 5.

The features are shown best in Fig. 4 of the -10 drawings which depicts the user seated on the support apparatus 5 and rested against the support device 3.

The user has applied pressure to the bag 2 from the back and head. The bag 2 has contoured to the shape of the user.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5 of the drawings which depicts an inner bag of a support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing like parts have been referenced by the same numerals but are now suffixed "all.

The alternative embodiment describes a support device 3a designed to be attached to an adjustable backrest of a bed, e.g. a typical hospital bed, i.e. the part which normally consists of metal bars in a plane whose angle to the horizontal can be varied.

The inner bag 12a comprises a fabric bag containing approximately 1.3 cubic feet of polystyrene beans and additionally contains a pad 13 of high density polystyrene foam having dimensions 70cm x 70cm in area and 2.Ocm thick, located in a separate compartment at the rear of the inner bag 12a, as shown in Fig. S(c). The purpose of the pad 13 is to prevent the polystyrene beans 20a being partially extruded through apertures in the support apparatus, in this case the bars of an adjustable back rest which forms part of a hospital bed. The rear of the inner bag 12a is substantially planar, but the front surface of the bag is convex.

The inner bag 12a is made of three sections of --fabric. The front surface is a single piece of fabric M with the dimensions of the inner bag 12a. The rear surface is made up of two portions of fabric arranged as shown in Fig. 5(b). A rear opening 15 between the portions allows insertion of the beans 20a and the pad 13. The rear opening 15 is-secured by suitable means such as VelcroTm or steel poppers.

Fig. 6 shows bag 2a of support device 3a, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The bag 2a is approximately the same shape and dimensions as the inner bag 12a but made from a material which is (i) waterproof, (ii) protected against attack by microfungi and bacteria, (iii) washable and dry cleanable, and (iv) slightly elastic. The inner bag 12a may be placed inside the bag 2a and retained therein, e.g. by means of a zip fastener 10 in the middle of the back of the bag 2a, as shown in Figure 6. Two vertical securing straps 8a and two horizontal securing straps 9a are attached to the bag 2a in the same manner as the first embodiment, see Figure 1, and are used to attach the device 3a to the hospital bed when in use. Details of the fastenings are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, except that it is preferable that the Velcro' and elastic which make up the straps 8a and 9a should be white rather than black to match the colour of bed linen used. In addition the front of bag 2a is generally larger than the rear to accommodate movement of the beans in the inner bag 12a. This results in side -12 portions 19 of the bag 2a being gathered as shown in Figure 6.

Bag 2a is conveniently made of a fabric manufactured by Penn Nyla, a Courtaulds Textile Company. Its trade name is Dartex and it comprises a polyurethane transfer coating on Nylon 66 fabric. Its density is 200g/m2, and its composition is 40-1;PU, 6011 fabric.

Reference is now made to Figure 7 of the drawings which depicts an outer cover 16 of the support device 3a in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The outer cover 16 comprises a sack of approximately the same shape and size as the bag 2a and encloses the bag 2a and inner bag 12a when in use. It is intended to perform the same function as a pillow slip or pillowcase, especially in the sense that it is only this part which should require to be changed regularly and sent off to be laundered. The outer cover 16 has four slots or apertures 21 positioned so as to allow the straps 8a and 9a attached to the bag 2a to be passed through so that they can be deployed around the back of the hospital bed or support apparatus. It also has an overlapping flap 17 arranged in the rear (like a pillow case) so that the inner bag 12a may be easily inserted.

The features of the second embodiment are best shown in Figures 8 to 13. Figure 8 depicts the rear surface of the inner bag 12a. Clearly seen is the support provided by the pad 13, inserted through the rear opening 15.

-13 This f igure also shows a VELCROTm strip 18 at or near an upper edge of the inner bag 12a which may, in use, coact with a corresponding VELCROTm strip on an inner upper edge of the bag 2a so as to seek to ensure that the inner bag 12a does not collapse within the bag 2a, in use.

Figure 9 shows the rear surface of the bag 2a as shown schematically in Figure 6. Figure 10 illustrates the support device 3a in use as attached to the back rest of a hospital bed.

When in use, the substantially rear planar rear surface formed by pad 13 is placed against bars 23 forming the backrest for the hospital bed 5a, and the support device 3a is secured by the straps 8a, 9a which pass over a top of a main frame 22 and round the sides of the bars 23 and secure at the rear, as described in the case of the first embodiment. The convex surface of the device 3a faces forward and makes contact with the back, neck and head of the patient, as will be shown later.

An alternative arrangement for securing the support device 3a to the hospital bed 5a is shown in Figure 12.

In this arrangement both the vertical securing straps 8a and the horizontal securing straps 9a are attached around the bars 23 of the adjustable back rest of the hospital bed 5a.

Figure 13 shows a user resting against support device 3a of the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The user applies pressure to the front surface of the device 3a from the back and head. The -14 beans 20a within the inner bag 2a contour to the shape of the user. In addition, the foam pad 13 within the inner bag 12a is supported against the bars 23 of the backrest of the hospital bed 5a, preventing the beans 20a from passing between the bars 23.

It will be appreciated that the principal advantage of the present invention is that it provides additional comfort and support to the user over and above that provided by a typical chair or bed, in that the pressure from the users back moves the flowable filler material around inside the bag so that the shape of the bag in use substantially conforms to the shape of the users back and the bag provides support for the users neck in both the forwards and backwards direction and also in sideways directions. The support device therefore provides a particularly comfortable support for the user who wishes to rest or fall asleep in the support apparatus.

A further advantage of the invention is that the support device can easily be removed from the support apparatus and relocated on another support apparatus.

This both removes the need for a specially designed support apparatus incorporating support for a users body part such as the back and/or neck, and also allows the user to travel with the support device and fasten it to any suitable available support apparatus.

It will be understood by the skilled person that the embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described are given by way of example only and are not meant to limit I the scope thereof in any way.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for supporting a body part of a user relative to a

support apparatus, the device comprising a bag containing a flowable filler material and means for releasably fastening the device to the support apparatus. 10
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device supports the body part of at least part of a neck and/or a back of the user. is
3. A device as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein the device is adapted for use by a human or by an animal.
4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the device is adapted to be used with a support 20 apparatus comprising a chair, reclining chair, bed, headboard of a bed, mattress, table (such as an operating table), dentists chair, car/train/plane seat or the like.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the 25 device supports the body part relative to a portion of the support apparatus.
6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is adapted to be used with a chair. 30
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is adapted to be used with a bed.

-17
8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag is formed from a textile/fabric material.
9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag is formed from a material which is waterproof.
10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag is formed from a material which is protected against attack by microfungi and bacteria.
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag is formed from a material which is washable or dry cleanable.
12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag is made from a material which is at least partially elasticated.
13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag is made from the material Dartex (Trade Mark).
14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the flowable filler material comprises a particulate material.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the particulate material is a plurality of beans.
16. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the -18 particulate material is a plurality of beads.
17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the releasable fastening means comprises one or more straps.
18. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag comprises a first sheet member providing a rear surface.
19. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the rear 15 surface is substantially planar.
20. A device as claimed in any one of claims 18 or 19 wherein the bag comprises a second sheet member providing a front surface.
21. A device as claimed in claim 20 wherein front surface is substantially convex with respect to the body part of the user and concave with respect to the rear surface.
22. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag has dimensions comprising:

height of at least a length between a top of a users neck and a base of a users spine; width of at least a width of a users shoulders at an upper portion and a width of a users back at a lower portion; and depth sufficient to provide adequate contoured support -19 around the user I s neck and back.
23. A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the bag has a height of approximately 66cm and width of approximately 66cm.
24. A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the bag has a height of approximately 70cm and a width of approximately 70cm.
25. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bag encloses approximately 1.25 cubic feet of polystyrene beans.
26. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bag 20 encloses approximately 1.3 cubic feet of polystyrene beads.
27. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bag encloses an inner bag which contains the flowable filler material. 25
28. A device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the inner bag contains a support material.
29. A device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the inner bag
30 includes a compartment for retention of the support material.

-20 30. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 28 or 29 wherein the support material is a high density polystyrene foam.
31. A device as claimed in any of the claims 27 to 30 wherein the bag enclosing the inner bag has closure means so as to secure the inner bag therein.
32. A device as claimed in claim 31 wherein the closure means is a zip.
33. A device as claimed in any of claims 17 to 32 wherein the releasably fastening means comprise at least one horizontal and at least one vertical strap.
34. A device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 33 wherein the straps are formed in whole or part from an elastic material.
35. A device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 33 wherein the straps are formed in whole or part from respective strips of Velcro'.
36. A device as claimed in any of claims 17 t 35 wherein the straps have a D-ring attached to an end remote from the bag.
37. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 33 to 36 -21 wherein at least one pair of horizontal straps are attached to respective longitudinal sides of the bag.
38. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 33 to 37 wherein at least one pair of vertical straps are attached to a top most side of the bag.
39. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 33 to 38 wherein the at least one vertical strap(s) has loops on the end remote from the bag facilitating releasable engagement with the at least one horizontal strap(s).
40. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the support device includes an outer cover.
41. A device as claimed in claim 40 wherein the outer cover has dimensions approximately equal to the dimensions of the bag.
42. A device as claimed in claim 40 or 41 wherein the 25 outer cover is made from a material which is machine washable or easily laundered.
43. A device as claimed in any of the claims 40 to 42 wherein the outer cover includes an overlapping flap, 30 arranged such that the outer cover encloses the bag in the same way a pillowcase encloses a pillow.

-22
44. A device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the overlapping flap is preferably located on the rear surface of the bag.
45. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 40 to 44 wherein the outer cover has four apertures.
46. A device as claimed in claim 45 wherein the apertures are slots.
47. A device as claimed in claim 45 or 46 wherein the apertures are positioned to allow the straps to pass through the outer cover for use.
48. A method of supporting a body part of a user relative to a support apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing a support device comprising a bag containing a flowable filler material and means for releasably fastening the device to the support apparatus; fastening the device to the support apparatus; and placing the body part of the user on the support device so as to support the body part.
49. A method as claimed in claim 48 wherein the method provides back and neck support to a user and includes the steps of:

placing the bag against a back vertical portion of a support apparatus; -23 aligning a top of the bag with a top of the back of the support apparatus; positioning the releasably fastening means comprising vertical and horizontal straps around the back vertical portion of the seat apparatus; feeding the horizontal straps through loops in the vertical straps; fastening the horizontal strips to each other to seek to ensure the bag is firmly held against the support apparatus; and seating the user in the support apparatus and placing pressure from the users back and head onto the bag.
50. A support device as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 13.
51. A method of supporting a body part of a user relative to the support apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 13.