POSTURE CORRECTOR

Abstract

The invention discloses a posture corrector (1) to cause a user sitting in front of a table (100) to adopt a correct posture. The corrector (1) comprises: an elastic support element (2) for the abdomen of the user configured to be provided between an abdomen of the user and a front edge (110) of the table (100); and an attachment means (3) dismountably connected to the support element (2), where the attachment means (3) is configured to attach said support element (2) to the table (100).

Claims

1. Posture corrector (1) for causing a user sitting in front of a table (100) to adopt a correct posture, comprising: an elastic support element (2) for the abdomen of the user configured to be provided between an abdomen of the user and a front edge (110) of a table (100); and an attachment means (3) dismountable connected to the support element (2), where the attachment means (3) is configured to attach the support element (2) to the table (100), characterized in that the elastic support element (2) is an speherical inflatable balloon, and in that the attachment means (3) comprises an attachment pad (4) connected to the inflatable balloon by means of a pin (5) passing through a first hole (41) of the attachment pad (4) and through a second hole (23) of the inflatable balloon, where the second hole (23) is the hole through which the inflatable balloon is inflated, the pin (5) acting as a plug closing said second hole (23), the attachment pad (4) further having an outer face having adhesives for attachment to the table (100).

2. Posture corrector (1) according to claim 1 where the inflatable balloon has a diameter of between 15 cm and 25 cm.

3. Posture corrector (1) according to any of claim 1, where the attachment pad (4) is circular.

4. Method for mounting a posture corrector (1) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the following steps: passing the pin (5) through the first hole (41) of the attachment pad (4); and inserting the pin (5) into the second hole (23) of the inflatable balloon, thereby plugging said second hole (23).

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary posture corrector according to the invention attached to a table.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the first exemplary posture corrector according to the invention when not attached to the table.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the attachment means of the first exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the elastic support element of the first exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a schematic lateral view of the use of the first exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary posture corrector according to the invention attached to a table.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of the second exemplary posture corrector according to the invention attached to the table.

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the attachment means of the second exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0034] FIG. 9 shows a lateral view of the second exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0035] FIG. 10 shows a lateral schematic view of the us of the second exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary posture corrector according to the invention attached to a table.

[0037] FIG. 12 shows another perspective view of the third exemplary posture corrector according to the invention attached to the table.

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the attachment means of the third exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0039] FIG. 14 shows another perspective view of the third exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0040] FIG. 15 shows a schematic lateral view of the use of the third exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a dismounted fourth exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0042] FIG. 17 shows another perspective view of the fourth exemplary posture corrector according to the invention.

[0043] FIG. 18 shows another perspective view of the fourth exemplary posture corrector attached to a table.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0044] A number of exemplary embodiments of the posture corrector (1) according to the present invention are now disclosed with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] The elastic support element (2) shown in all figures except for FIG. 18 is shaped as an inflatable balloon having a diameter between 15 cm and 25 cm. The inflatable balloon (2) has an orifice (21) with a valve for filling and emptying. Note that the orifice (21) needs not be provided exactly in the position shown in the figures, but it can be positioned anywhere in the inflatable balloon (2).

[0046] In the following, each of the exemplary embodiments is disclosed in more detail.

First Example

[0047] FIGS. 1-5 show different views of a first exemplary posture corrector (1) according to the invention. The attachment means (3) of this first exemplary posture corrector (1) is configured to be attached to the table (100).

[0048] The first exemplary corrector (1) is formed by an attachment means (3) shaped as a clamp that is connected to the inflatable balloon (2). Particularly, the clamp comprises two arms (32) connected in an articulated manner to a common base, such that they alternate between an open position where they are separated one from the other and a closed position where the free ends are adjacent one to the other. The shape of the arms may change, although in this example it is curved to avoid contact with the table (100) and, thereby, prevent damages such as scratches and the like. Inside the base where the arms (32) are connected there are one or more springs configured to continuously bias the arms (32) towards the closed position. The arms (32) also have fins (37) acting as handles for the user to pull outwards from both arms (32) for opening them when making the clamp move from the closed position to the open position.

[0049] At the free end of each arm (32) there is a plate (36) that is articulated to the corresponding free end to ensure a correct support against the surface of the table (100). On the surface of the plate (36) intended to abut against the surface of the table (100) there is a padded sheet (34) for preventing damage. Thereby, to attach the attachment means (3) to the table (100), the user needs only to pull from the fins (37) to make the arms (32) move from to open position, place the clamp such that the table (100) is positioned between both arms (32), and let go of the fins (37) such that the spring or springs automatically cause the arms (32) to move towards the closed position, thereby grasping the table (100) between them.

[0050] The attachment means (3) of this first example also has a first flexible sheet (31) for connecting the attachment means (3) to the inflatable balloon (2). In this specific example, the first flexible sheet (31) is connected to a posterior surface of the base of the clamp. The shape of the first flexible sheet (31) is that of a spherical cap having the cavity oriented in a direction opposite the clamp to adapt to the spherical shape of the inflatable balloon (2). This first flexible sheet (31) can be connected to the inflatable balloon (2) in the manner of a suction cap. To improve the connection, it is possible to provide a zone having and adhesive in the inflatable balloon (2) on the place where the first flexible sheet (31) is attached.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows this first posture corrector (1) during use. The inflatable balloon (2) is connected to the attachment means (3) by means of the first flexible sheet (31) by means of an adhesive. The user then opens the clamp of the attachment means (3) and attaches it to the table (100). The inflatable balloon (2) is thereby also attached to the table (100), and the user (200) only needs to sit and slightly abut his/her abdomen against said inflatable balloon (2).

Second Example

[0052] FIGS. 6-10 show a number of views of a second exemplary posture corrector (1) similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-5. As shown, the attachment means (3) of this second exemplary posture corrector (1) is also configured to be attached to the table (100).

[0053] Indeed, this second exemplary posture corrector (1) also comprises an attachment means (31) configured as a clamp having two arms (32) alternating between open and closed positions. However, the opening and closing mechanism of the clamp is different here, since it is based on a worm gear (33) that, when actuated, causes one of the arms (32) to move relative the other, making them move closer or farther away depending on the rotation direction. Note that in the figures only the actuated end of the worm gear (33) is shown, the worm gear (33) being housed within a base to which the arms (32) are connected.

[0054] This attachment means (3) also comprises a first flexible sheet (31) for connection with the inflatable balloon (2). The first flexible sheet (31) is similar to that disclosed with respect to the first posture corrector (1), shaped as a spherical cap and, optionally, provided with an adhesive to improve the connection to the inflatable balloon (2). However, unlike in the previous example, the connection between the clamp and the firs flexible sheet (31) is carried out here by means of a joint (35). The joint (35) allows for relative rotations between these two components such that, assuming the clamp is attached to the table (100), the inflatable balloon (2) can move rotating around the joint (35) in one or the other direction to follow the movements of the user (200) when changing posture.

[0055] FIG. 10 shows the posture corrector (1) of this second example during use. Its installation is equivalent to that disclosed in connection to the first example, however in this case the user does not pull the arms (32) manually outwards, but he/she rotates the worm gear (33) until the arms (32) clamp the table (100). The inflatable balloon (2) is thereby attached to the table (100) to aid the user sit upright.

Third Example

[0056] FIGS. 11-15 show a number of views of a third exemplary posture corrector (1) according to the invention. As shown, the third exemplary attachment means (3) is also configured to be attached to the table (100).

[0057] Specifically, the attachment means (3) of this third exemplary posture corrector (1) comprises the first flexible sheet (31) joined to a second flexible sheet (38) by means of an elastic connection element (39). As mentioned above, the first flexible sheet (31) allows for connecting the attachment means (3) to the inflatable balloon (2), and it also has a spherical cap shape. Adhesives or vacuum can be employed for connecting the first flexible sheet (31) to the inflatable balloon (2). The second flexible sheet (38) of this example is similar to the first, that is, it has a circular or spherical cap shape, although in both cases other shapes would be possible, such as square or rectangular shapes. Both flexible sheets (31, 38) are oriented such that their cavities are oriented in opposite directions. The elastic connection element (39) connecting one to the other allows for relative rotations of one with respect to the other to ensure that the inflatable balloon (2) can follow small movements of the user (200) when changing posture. The second flexible sheet (38) additionally comprises, on its outwardly facing face, an adhesive or the like to allow for fixation to the table (100). Further, to facilitate separation from the table (100), the second flexible sheet (38) further has a tab (T) that protrudes from the lateral edge of the sheet (38). This tab (T) does not have any adhesive of form part of the surface making up the suction cup, such that it is easy to pull from it to separate the second flexible sheet (38) from the surface of the table (100).

[0058] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, to attach the posture corrector (1) to the table, the user needs only to bring the second flexible sheet (38) towards the edge (110) of the table (100) and fold it by pressing firmly against its surface. Thanks to the adhesive, the surface of the outwardly oriented face is attached to the table (100). The inflatable balloon (2) is thereby attached to the table (100) and ready to be used.

Fourth Example

[0059] FIGS. 16-18 show still one more example of the posture corrector (1) of the invention. The corrector (1) comprises an inflatable balloon (2) and an attachment means (3) dismountably connected thereto.

[0060] The attachment means (3) comprise an attachment pad (4) having a circular shape and a first hole (41) in the centre. A pin (5) is further provided for connecting the attachment pad (4) to the inflatable balloon (2). In particular, as shown in FIG. 16, the pin (5) is inserted through the first hole (41) of the attachment pad (4) and through a second hole (23) of the inflatable balloon (2). The attachment pad (4) is flexible, and an outer face thereof, i.e. the face opposite the inflatable balloon (2) has an adhesive. Thereby, the attachment pad (4) can be folded around the edge (110) of the table (100) and adhered thereto as shown in FIG. 18.