HK1081134B - Supporting device for the back and head of a human being - Google Patents

Description

Support device for the back and head of a person

Technical Field

The invention relates to a support device for the back and head of a person, comprising a back support section and a head support section; the invention also relates to a device part for a living room, leisure or work place provided with such a support device.

Background

Such a support device is generally known in the form of a bedding or the like. Such a support device can be designed to be upholstered or not upholstered. A person can sit on such a support. If a person lies on such a support device, both his back and his head are supported. The back of which extends from the coccyx site all the way to the neck. In order to provide a safe support for a person, the support device has a back support section for the back and a head support section for the head. The back support section is designed to be so wide that a safe posture of the person is obtained. In particular, the back support section has a width at least from the buttocks up to the shoulders which corresponds at least to the width of the respective part of the person, in order to enable the person to lie safely. Such support devices are often designed to conform to the natural posture of orthopedics and/or a human.

From the aspect of orthopedics, the posture of a human is often not good. Poor posture, particularly at work or other settings, can lead to shortening of the pectoral musculature, which further leads to a curved back posture, particularly with a kyphosis.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a support device of the aforementioned type which offers the possibility, in a simple manner, of overcoming that shortening of the thoracic musculature, in particular by exercising.

The above task is solved by the following measures. According to the invention, a support device for the back and the head of a person is provided, having a back support section and a head support section, wherein in a support position a partial region of the back support section at the level of the scapular region of the back has a support surface in the region of the spine and on both sides of the support surface has open regions which are designed such that the scapular region can be moved back past the support surface.

According to the invention, a person lying on the support device can thus stretch his pectoral muscle system in a simple manner: i.e. projecting their own arms laterally outwards and turning them in the laterally outwards projecting position to their own weight, or actively pressing them and thus also the shoulders downwards, i.e. towards the back of the back support section. The pectoral muscle system is able to be spread apart, since at the height of the shoulder blades there is only one central, preferably narrow and at least partial support in the region of the dorsal column by the support surface, and the scapular region is able to move at least very freely backwards, i.e. past the support surface, towards the back. The person preferably lies on the support means in a position aligned at an angle in the range of 45 to 90 to the vertical. In particular, it is preferable to obtain an at least approximately horizontal alignment of the back support section and the head support section in the support position. Thus, the self weight of the arms and shoulders exerts a desired stretching action on the pectoral system without requiring the person to actively exert additional force to achieve stretching of the pectoral system. The support device thus fulfils a dual function of providing a reclining position to achieve a relaxed posture; the purpose of stretching the pectoral system is additionally achieved by a simple lateral extension of at least the upper shoulder, substantially at right angles to the chest, and subsequent sagging. If the lower arm, which extends straight from the upper arm, can also be extended laterally outward at approximately right angles to the chest area, the leverage due to the arm's own weight can be increased and the stretching effect on the pectoral system can also be improved. The open regions present on both sides of the central support surface can each be open laterally outward within the entire bed surface formed by the back support section and the head support section. On the other hand, these regions can also be closed in the region of the lateral outer edges, if the transverse extent of the open regions is designed to be so great that, in the case of a right-angled extension of the upper arm, at least the elbow can still hang down through the open regions. The open region is preferably open, but can also be designed to open laterally outward, in order to allow a desired mobility of the shoulders and arms even with a small overall width of the bed surface. It is advantageous if the back support section is designed so wide starting from the coccyx or the hip and just below the shoulders that it corresponds to the width of the chest of a person, in order to be able to achieve a secure support of the back of the person at least approximately below the shoulders. The head support section is also preferably designed such that it ensures a reliable head support.

The solution proposed by the invention can be used in different fields. In particular it may be part of different devices used in a living room, office, workplace or leisure. The support device can be placed in particular on a separate base, for example a table, or can itself be equipped with corresponding supports, stands or base parts for positioning on the base. According to a particularly simple embodiment, the support device is formed as a rigid support unit from a simple plate made of a dimensionally stable material, in particular wood or plastic, which is provided with the back support section comprising the support surface, the laterally open region and the head support section. Such a plate may be integrated into or associated with other functional devices. In particular, it is therefore possible to place such a plate detachably in the region of a room door or in the region of a wall, to remove the plate from the door or the wall if required, and to position the plate on a corresponding base. Alternatively, a configuration may be selected wherein such a plate may be removably mounted to a home or office equipment object. In particular, it is possible to insert such a plate vertically into a holder which is part of the lamp, and to provide in particular at least one fluorescent tube behind the inserted plate. The plate serving as a support means thus has an auxiliary function in that it serves as a cover or housing for the lighting means.

In the solution according to the invention, the head support section and the back support section are separate components which can be assembled with respect to each other in a bearing position to form an open region. In this way, the head support section and the back support section can be fitted to one another only if necessary in such a way that a desired bearing position is achieved for the back and the head. In a state not required for the stretching of the pectoral system, the head support section and the back support section may have other functions altogether. It is thus possible in particular to use the surface of at least one support section as a table or as a seat, as long as the body of the person does not need a bearing function.

In the solution according to the invention, the open region is formed by a groove which is open laterally. The back support section (viewed from below the body) in the region below the groove is preferably designed to be significantly wider than the central, preferably narrow support surface at the level of the scapula, so that a safe support can be achieved in the region of the dorsal ribs of the human body. Advantageously, the aforementioned recess forms a separation point of the back support section from the head support section, so that a connection by means of the support surface is maintained only between the head support section and the back support section, at least for the bearing position.

In another variant of the invention, the recesses can be closed by means of a detachable or movably arranged cover element. The back support section, preferably including the head support section, has a through plate or a through surface once the recesses are closed by the respective cover elements. In this way, a completely different function of the back support section and/or the head support section is provided, as long as they are not laterally movable relative to one another relative to the bearing position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the back support section and the head support section are integrated into a rigid support unit. The back support section and the head support section are thus part of a common rigid unit. Advantageously, the back support section and the head support section form a dimensionally stable plate which can be used for other purposes, in particular as a table, a seat or the like, without the need for a pectoral muscle stretching purpose.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rigid support unit can be movably arranged between a particularly upright rest position and a particularly lying support position. In this way, the back support unit formed by the back support section and the head support section can be transported into the desired bearing position only when needed. The support unit may have another function when not needed, or may also remain in a rest position without function. Particularly advantageous embodiments provide that: the support unit is movably positioned within the confines of the table structure or is designed as a backrest of a foldable sofa or chair. It may also be advantageous: the support unit is integrated into a piece of seating or lying furniture in a non-visible manner and is only transported into the supporting position when required. In order to movably arrange the support unit between the rest position and the support position, special rotary bearing structures, linear guide mechanisms, etc. are provided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the head support section and the back support section are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another by means of a guide mechanism between a rest position and a functional position. As guide means, a combined pivoting/sliding guide, a purely linear guide or a joint device or other curved guide can be provided.

The support device according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously for household, leisure or workplace device parts. Can be particularly advantageously associated with seating, bedding or combined seating and bedding. Such installation parts can be designed both as stationary and as mobile, i.e. can be installed in particular in a motor vehicle or in a building or in a room.

The invention also relates to an additional unit which can be used together with existing device parts or other objects each having a flat surface section to form a support device in the sense of the invention. The additional unit according to the invention has a head support section and a spacer section serving as a support surface for the ridge region. Such an add-on unit is fastened by means of at least one connecting element to a planar part of the device part or article, wherein in the assembled state of the head support section and the spacer part, the planar part assumes the function of the back support section of the bearing device. The spacer portion is designed such that an open area for scapular movement is available on both sides. In addition, the spacer section is designed to be so narrow as to serve as a support surface for the spine region that the corresponding scapular movement is not impeded by said spacer section. By this solution it is possible in particular to equip existing table, seating and/or bedding arrangements with the above-mentioned additional units, so that a support arrangement according to the invention is obtained.

Further advantages and features of the invention are given below and by the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a bearing arrangement according to the invention in the form of a plate-shaped support unit,

figure 2 shows a support device similar to that shown in figure 1,

figures 3a to 3e show other variants of the support device similar to those shown in figures 1 and 2,

figure 4 shows a support device with rigid linear legs,

figure 5 is a supporting device similar to figure 4 but provided with curved table legs,

fig. 6 shows a support device with a plate-like support unit, which is formed by a head support section, a recess and a back support section, with a shelf which can be folded up in the form of an ironing board,

fig. 7 shows the support unit of fig. 1, which is removably integrated into a corresponding recess of a room door,

fig. 8 is a side view of a luminaire, wherein additionally a cover is provided as a supporting means similar to that shown in fig. 2,

figure 9a front view of the light fixture of figure 8,

fig. 10 is a perspective view of another constructive form of the bearing device according to the invention, in which the panel-type supporting unit, in the rest position, rests against a wall, is folded into a horizontal position for the bearing position shown in fig. 10,

fig. 11 a piece of seating and/or bedding, wherein the supporting device is integrated into a push-pull box,

fig. 12 is a perspective view of a detail of the bearing device, in which a head support section can be plugged onto a back support section with the formation of an opening.

Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment similar to fig. 12, in which a head support section can also be plugged onto a back support section with the formation of an opening,

fig. 14 shows a further embodiment similar to fig. 13, provided with a fixing mechanism for the bearing position, here in the form of a screw clamp,

figure 15 another embodiment of a support device integrated in a table,

fig. 16 shows another table structure, which can assume an auxiliary function of a supporting device,

figure 17 shows the table structure according to figure 16 in its supporting position,

fig. 18 to 20 show different schematic views of a removable or movably arranged cover element, which in the rest position closes the recess, but which is open for the support position,

fig. 21 and 22 show another furniture construction which can additionally be used as a support device, the support position of which is shown in fig. 22,

fig. 23 shows another furniture construction, in its supporting position positioned for the purpose of an auxiliary function as a supporting device,

figures 24 and 25 are provided with an office chair as an auxiliary function of the support means,

fig. 26 and 27 show another table structure which serves as a support device with an auxiliary function.

Detailed Description

The support device shown in fig. 1 to 27 serves as a bed or a support in its support position for the lying person. The person concerned can move his arms and shoulders downwards with his arms extended laterally outwards in a position in which his back and head lie on the support device. For this purpose, he must be positioned on the support device in such a way that a corresponding displacement of the shoulder, in particular of the scapular region, does not require the support provided by the support device. This will be explained in detail below. The support devices shown in fig. 1 to 3 are functionally identically constructed, so that the basic functional components are first described with reference to fig. 1. The same reference numerals are used for functionally identical parts or segments on the remaining support devices, with the addition of a different letter. The support device is formed by a plate-shaped support unit 1. The support unit has: a back support section 2, a central support bridge section 4 serving as a support surface, and a head support section 5 connected to the support bridge section 4. At the level of the support bridge section 4, two recesses 3 are provided on both sides, which recesses open out to opposite sides. The support bridge section 4 extends along a longitudinal axis of a support unit, not shown in the figures, which is now of generally rectangular design. A person lying on the support unit must be positioned such that he lies with his scapular region at the height of the recesses 3, his head being supported from behind. The supporting bridge 4, which serves as a supporting surface, is preferably designed so narrow that it does not impede the free movement of the shoulder blade during the corresponding stretching and sagging movements of the arm and shoulder, at least over a limited arm and shoulder movement path. The meaning of the so-called limited arm and shoulder motion stroke is: it must be possible to achieve sufficient extension of the pectoral system. The proportions of the relevant sections of the support unit preferably correspond to the normal human body.

It is advantageous to carry out a stretching exercise by the person lying on the support device in such a way that he lies with his arms extending horizontally laterally outwards while rotating his palms upwards. By the weight of the extended arm, the arm, together with the shoulder and the shoulder blade, is forced to move downward toward the bottom within the region of the groove 3, so that the anteriorly and laterally extending pectoral muscles are automatically extended. Thus, shortening of the pectoral muscle system is effectively suppressed, and a great effort is not required in the relaxed posture, so that the disadvantage in the posture of the person can be avoided or reduced.

In the configuration shown in fig. 2, both the upper and lower end portions of the support unit (viewed from the body) are rounded into a circular arc shape. Functionally, the support unit is unchanged from that described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 3a to 3e show different structural forms of the support unit, which function in each case corresponds to the function described with reference to fig. 1. The figures are schematic and therefore their proportions do not have to correspond to the proportions which occur in practice. This also applies to all support devices which are described in more detail below.

The design shown in fig. 3a to 3e, in particular the lateral grooves, are provided with different geometries, which are clearly visible in the figures, so that a detailed explanation is not necessary.

In the form of construction shown in fig. 4, the support unit according to fig. 1 is provided with legs 6 standing on the base. The legs are designed as four-edged profiles in a straight line in the design shown in fig. 4. In the configuration shown in fig. 5, the rigid leg with the curved shape is provided with a wide base. The support unit 1 shown in fig. 5 corresponds to the support unit shown in fig. 4.

In the configuration shown in fig. 6, the plate-shaped support unit is supported by a foldable support 8, which is designed as a support for an ironing board. The folded-up position of the stand 8 is indicated by a dashed line. This allows the support unit 1 to occupy less space when not needed.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the support unit 1 is placed in a corresponding recess of a larger area of an existing room door 9, which is fastened to a room wall 11 by means of a hinge 10, in order to reduce the space when it is not needed. Once the support unit 1 is needed, it can be removed from the corresponding recess of the door 9 and placed in the bearing position in place.

For transport into the bearing position, the support unit 1 can in particular be placed onto one or more holding elements or rack elements. In order to fix the support unit 1 in the recess of the door 9, some detachable safety mechanism is provided in the region of the door 9.

In the design shown in fig. 8 and 9, a surfboard-shaped support unit 1g can additionally be used as the object part of the luminaire 12 in such a way that it is positioned parallel in front of a standing fluorescent tube arrangement 14. For this purpose, the support unit 1g is provided on its bottom with a plug element 15 which can be detachably plugged onto a corresponding plug element of one of the bases 13. The fluorescent tube system 14 is also secured to the base 13 in its inclined position. The structural forms not shown in the figures represent other kinds of room or design objects, on which respectively a correspondingly adapted support unit is combined.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 10, the support unit 1 is mounted at its lower end on a vertical wall 16 in a pivotally movable manner by means of a hinge 17 which defines a horizontal pivot axis between an upturned rest position shown in dashed lines and a support position shown in solid lines. For this bearing position, a leg device 18 is provided, which can be hinged on the bottom side of the support unit 1 or can be provided as a separate component to the bottom side of the support unit 1.

In the design shown in fig. 11, the support unit 1 is integrated into a push-pull housing 20 of a piece of seating and/or reclining furniture 19 in the form of a sofa bed. The support unit 1 is stably supported on the respective frame part of the push-pull casing 20 so that in the pulled-out position of the push-pull casing 20 shown in fig. 11 the support unit 1 is directly transported into its supporting position. Thus, a person can lie on the support unit 1 and preferably rest his legs on the seat and back cushions of the sofa bed. In a configuration not shown in the figures, the support unit is placed in a push-pull element having the shape of a drawer or the like, wherein said push-pull element can be incorporated in any suitable movable or immovable object, such as in particular in land-water-air vehicles, in the housing of machines or equipment, or in other installations.

In the design shown in fig. 12, the head support section 5a, which comprises a central support surface 4a as a spacer at the level of the recess 3h, is designed so as to be releasable from the back support section 2 h. Thereby forming an additional unit. For this purpose, plug elements 21 are provided as connection elements, which can insert the head support section 5h in the direction of the arrow into the corresponding end area of the back support section 2h, which serves as a flat area.

The support surface 4h is of plate-like design such that in the inserted state the head support section 5h is positioned at a distance from the two back support sections 5 h. Thereby forming a groove 3 h.

Figure 13 shows a similar form of construction with an additional unit. Wherein only the manner of the plug element 22 is additionally designed. The respective side legs of the plug elements 22 overlap the plate shape of the back support section from the top and bottom side in the manner of a clip. The upper leg of the plug element 22 additionally forms a central supporting bridge 4i for supporting the spine of the human body at the level of the scapula.

The design shown in fig. 14 also has an additional unit similar to the design according to fig. 12 and 13. The main differences are: a safety mechanism 24 in the form of a screw clamp is additionally associated with the plug element 23 in order to couple the head support section 5K, including the support surface 4K, to the back support section 2K, said safety mechanism enabling the plugged state to be fixed.

In the form of construction shown in fig. 15, a furniture or device part in the form of a table construction 25 is provided. A cavity is provided below the table plate of the table structure 25, in which cavity two support units 1 are arranged. In the embodiment shown in fig. 15, the table structure serves only as a storage compartment for the support unit 1. According to an embodiment which cannot be clearly seen in fig. 15, the two support units 1 are positioned linearly displaceable under the upper deck, depending on the type of push-pull plate, and can be pulled out of the respective storage compartment for transport into their supporting position, preferably at the same level as the deck. At least one of the support units 1 is then fixed in the bearing position by means of a support mechanism not shown in the figures. Thus, the bedplate serves as a cradle for the legs and buttocks of a person, while the back and head of the person are positioned in the region of the support unit 1.

Fig. 16 and 17 show a further platform construction 26, similar to the last-mentioned construction, with a head support section 27 which can be pushed and pulled. The head support section 27 is buried under the platen of the table structure 25 shown in fig. 16 when in its rest position. In order to bring the lateral recess 31 to the height of the scapula, the head support section 27 is simply moved into the position shown in fig. 17, wherein one of the guide bridge sections 28 remains firmly connected to the head support section 27. The guide bridge sections 28 are guided linearly and are held below the table plate on corresponding rails. The guide bridge section also has the function of a central support surface for supporting the spine in the region of the shoulder blade, wherein the corresponding dimensioning thereof corresponds to said function.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 18 to 20, the recess 3 of the support unit 1 can be closed by the cover elements 29, 29a, 29b, so that a continuous plate shape or a continuous plane is obtained even in the region of the recess 3. In this way, the plate-shaped support unit can fulfill the additional function that it can function in particular as a pallet.

In the form of construction shown in fig. 18, the cover element 29 is inserted into the support unit in a simple manner with a plug.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 19, the plug element 29a has an insertion edge which interacts with a corresponding slot in the support unit 1 in the region of the recess, so that a horizontal insertion or a horizontal removal is possible.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 20, the cover element 29b is connected to the support unit 1. The cover element 29b is connected to the support unit 1 in the region of the base of each recess 3 about a horizontal swivel axis via a hinge mechanism not shown in detail. The cover element 29b can be fixed in the rest position of the closing groove 3 by means of a safety mechanism, not shown in detail.

A table structure 30 is designed in the form of the structure shown in fig. 21 and 22, which is assembled from the following parts: a longitudinal table with rectangular platens, a square table with equal width to the longitudinal table. The square table is permanently connected to the adjacent end face of the table plate of the longitudinal table via a swivel/push guide 31. Preferably, a slide is arranged at a corresponding corner of the square table, which slide can be guided on a rail running along the table edge of the longitudinal table and additionally enables a pivoting movement of the square table.

By means of the above-described design, the table structure 30 can be used additionally as the supporting means. The relevant bearing position is shown in fig. 22. The square table serves with its table plate on the one hand as a head support section and with its corners with slides in the 45 ° rotated position as a support surface for the spine in the scapular region of the lying person. By the arrangement turned through 45 °, it is also possible to provide desired recesses 3m on both sides of the corner carrying the slider, which are suitable for the scapular region. The platen of the elongated table serves as a back support section 2m at its portion adjacent to the square table. In fig. 22 the movement of the square table is indicated by the double arrow S and its rotation by the double arrow D.

In the configuration shown in fig. 23, a furniture construction 32 has the form of a square table or stool, which cannot be connected to one another. Such tables or stools are known in principle. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 23, the tables or stools can also be positioned in the form of a support device in such a way that the stool or table which is the last on one side is rotated by 45 ° in a similar manner to the embodiment shown in fig. 22, and adjacent stools or tables are connected by an angle. All tables and stools are equal in height. Thus, the side-by-side table or stool forms a head support section 5n, comprising a support surface 4n for the spine; while the adjacent stools or tables form the back support section 2 n.

In the design shown in fig. 24 and 25, a movable device part is provided, mainly in the form of an office chair, which has a backrest designed as a support unit 1. The backrest can be lowered into a horizontal supporting position according to fig. 25. The hinge mechanism 36 is used for this purpose. In order to be able to support the support unit 1 securely in the support position, a leg 34 is provided, which, in the present embodiment, is held in a folded-back manner behind the backrest. Separate support members may also be provided for supporting the support unit 1 in its supporting position.

In the design shown in fig. 26 and 27, a table structure 37 is provided, which is equipped with a support unit 1, which is articulated on an outer edge of a table plate of the table structure 37 by means of a hinge mechanism 38. In this way the support structure 37 can be used as said bearing means as soon as the support unit 1 is swiveled upwards in the direction of the arrow into its horizontal bearing position. The support unit 1 is secured in its horizontal support position by means of at least one corresponding support 39.

The various structural forms described above are only schematically drawn. In the drawings, the size and the ratio of the sizes of the portions or sections are not necessarily the same as those of the actual embodiment. The respective support section, support unit or bearing device may or may not be cushioned, but rather have a flat but curved or orthopedic surface. The invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described but also encompasses other forms of construction which are obvious to the person skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

1. A support device for the back and the head of a person, having a back support section and a head support section, characterized in that, in a support position, a partial region of the back support section (2-2n) at the level of the scapular region of the back has a support surface (4-4n) in the region of the spine, and open regions (3-3n) on both sides of the support surface, which are designed such that the scapular region can be moved past the support surface in the downward direction.

2. A support device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the head support section (5-5n) and the back support section (2-2n) are separate components which can be fitted to one another in the support position to form the open region (3-3 n).

3. A support device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the open region is formed by a laterally open recess (3-3n) of the back support section (3-3 n).

4. A supporting device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the recess (3) is closable by means of a detachably or movably arranged cover element (29-29 b).

5. A support device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the back support section (2) and the head support section (5) are integrated in a rigid support unit (1).

6. A support device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the rigid support unit (1) is movably arranged between a rest position, in particular standing, and a support position, in particular lying.

7. A support device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the head support section and the back support section are movably supported relative to each other between said rest position and the support position by means of guide means (21, 22, 23, 28, 31).

8. A device part for a living, leisure or working place, characterized in that a support device according to any of claims 1 to 7 is provided.

9. A furniture, leisure or working area device according to claim 8, characterized in that the device is a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying.

10. An add-on unit provided with a head support section and a spacer section and with at least one connecting element for fixing the add-on unit to a planar section, wherein the spacer section serves as a support surface for a ridge region and is fixed in such a way that the planar section serves as a back support section in order to provide a support device as a whole in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7.