Sensory upright chair for applying deep touch pressure and method of use

Abstract

A sensory upright chair system to provide deep touch pressure to a person and method of use. The system includes a frame, a pump, a pair of inflatable air tubes, a pressure release valve, hoses and hardware, a pressure sensor, and a fabric cover. The pump and pressure sensor are connected to a power supply, and connected to the air tubes and pressure release valve via hoses and hardware. Switching on the power supply provides controlled inflation to the air tubes. A user sits in the chair between deflated air tubes. As the pressure in the air tubes increase, deep touch pressure is applied to the occupant's body where the air tubes contact the occupant. The fabric cover provides a comfortable barrier between the occupant and the air tubes. Deep touch pressure is thus applied to the occupant via contact with the tubes through the fabric cover.

Claims

1. A sensory upright chair system comprising: a box frame comprising two side boards, a rear upper board, a rear lower board, a seat platform, a front board, and a front step; a pair of inflatable air tubes placed within said box frame and on top of said seat platform, each of said inflatable air tubes comprising a top end, a middle section and a bottom end; said inflatable air tubes oriented such that inflatable air tube connectors fit through apertures in said seat platform, each respective inflatable air tube having a top end adjacent to said rear upper board, and each-respective inflatable air tube having a bottom end adjacent to said front board; an enclosure attached to said rear lower board containing an air pump, a pressure sensor configured to regulate and report air pressure, and a pressure release valve; controls connected to said air pump, said pressure sensor, and said pressure release valve; at least two air hoses connected to said air pump, wherein each of said pair of inflatable air tubes is connected to at least one of said at least two air hoses, such that each inflatable air tube is connected to at least one air hose; and wherein said inflatable air tubes are configured to provide deep touch pressure to any object placed between said pair of inflatable air tubes.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: each of said at least two air hoses comprising respective connectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said air pump comprises a pump selected from the list comprising: an electrical powered pump, a bellows foot pump, and a hand pump.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: said controls located within said enclosure, said controls configured to inflate said inflatable air tubes; and said controls further configured to deflate said inflatable air tubes.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said enclosure further includes controls configured to set a maximum pressure of said inflatable air tubes.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover, said cover being placed over said pair of inflatable air tubes.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said cover comprises a soft, flexible material configured to transfer pressure within said pair of inflatable air tubes to said object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a fully assembled state.

(3) FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view thereof.

(4) FIG. 3 is another isometric exploded view thereof.

(5) FIG. 4 is yet another isometric exploded view thereof.

(6) FIG. 5 is an isometric view thereof including a fabric cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

(7) As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

(8) Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, inwardly and outwardly refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Sensory Upright Chair 1

(9) As shown in the Figures, the present invention is a sensory upright chair 1 which generally includes a box frame 2 constructed from at least a rear upper wall 3, a rear lower wall 4, a seat platform 5, a front wall 6, a front step 7 and a pair of sidewalls 8. A pair of air tubes 9 are set upon the seat platform 5. The pump 15, pressure sensor 16 and pressure relief valve 17 are contained within an enclosure 10. The pump 15 is connected to the air tubes 9 via air hoses 11. Apertures 18 located in the seat platform 5 allow the hoses 11 to connect directly to the air tubes 6.

(10) The hoses 11 include connectors 12 for connecting or disconnecting from the air tubes as necessary and connector 13 for connecting or disconnecting to the pump system inside the enclosure 10. The enclosure 10 is attached to the rear lower wall 4. A cover 14 (seen in FIG. 5) made of a flexible material covers the air tubes 6. The cover 14 is made of a user-friendly fabric that is removable and washable. Zippers, press studs, elasticated material or other connecting elements may alternatively be used to secure the cover to the box frame 2. The cover will flex to accommodate the air tubes 9 as they inflate.

(11) The pump 15, pressure sensor 16 and relief valve 17 system preferably is operated using a set of controls 19 on the enclosure attached to the rear lower wall 4. Alternatively the pump, pressure sensor and relief valve system can be controlled via a remote control, either wired to the control box or operated wirelessly.

(12) The sensory upright chair 1 is used by placing the occupant between the air tubes and then inflating the air tubes such that they provide sufficient deep touch pressure to the occupant.

(13) A alternative embodiment mechanical version of the pump and pressure sensor system may be provided by replacing the electrical powered pump with a mechanical pump such as a bellows foot pump or hand pump (not shown), and by replacing the pressure sensor with a pressure limiting valve, with an adjustable set-point. This set-point is set to a pressure point similar to the upper pre-set limit in the electrical version of this system. In the mechanical version the mechanical pump is used to inflate the tubes, and the pressure can be increased until it reaches the set-point of the pressure limiting valve.

(14) It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.