Ergonomic lateral recumbency support apparatus and system

Abstract

The present invention provides a lateral recumbency back support designed to support various portions of the body generally comprising a contoured and flexible foam wedge design allowing flexibility at all points along the length of same and having sufficient firmness to provide support for the desired portion of the body.

Claims

1. An ergonomic support system comprising: a foam spine having a length with a plurality of three-dimensional trapezoid interconnected segments and a column with channels between said segments generally cut such that said segments and said column are of a one-piece construction, wherein said segments have a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a front, a back and wherein said top is parallel to said bottom; an inner support inserted into said length of said foam spine; and a removable cover adapted to fit over said foam spine having a bottom with a slip reducing surface and grip wings, wherein said grip wings are adapted to communicate with the body of a user such that said user generally lies on said grip wings thereby trapping said foam spine from moving away from said user.

2. The system of claim 1 further includes a heating pad in communication with said removable outer cover.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a removable inner liner cover adapted to fit between said foam spine and said removable outer cover.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said inner support is made of a non-woven polyester.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said segments first side includes an obtuse angle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said segments second side includes an obtuse angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, AND APPENDICES

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings, exhibits and appendices.

(2) FIG. 1 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 10 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) In a preferred embodiment, the current invention may include the following although it is contemplated that combinations may be utilized to provide the ergonomic lateral recumbency support as generally referred to in the application and illustrations described below. The current invention may be classified as an apparatus, system, method and/or combinations thereof. The following detailed description does not define any aspect in a particular order of importance but rather attempts to organize the following for convenience only.

(13) Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a new and improved system, method and apparatus, hereinafter referred to collectively as invention 10. It is contemplated that invention 10 may comprise a foam spine 20 having a length 30 with a plurality of generally three-dimensional trapezoids interconnected segments 40. Segments 40 may generally have a top 50, a bottom 60, a first side 70, a second side 80, a front 90 and a back 100. It is contemplated that top 50 may be generally parallel to bottom 60.

(14) It is further contemplated that first side may be angled as depicted with a preferred embodiment being 18 degrees as depicted. It is contemplated that second side 80 have a first angled portion 110 and a second angled portion 120 with a preferred embodiment being 18 degrees and 90 degrees as depicted generally forming an obtuse angel. It is understood that the angles, proportions, lengths, and so forth may be greater, lesser, parallel, non-parallel, and so forth. It is generally contemplated that a user may utilize segments 40 first side 70 or second side 80 by preference to the angle desired for support. Furthermore, one slant angle may provide back support when the user may want to tilt more backwards and so forth.

(15) Segments 40 are generally connected by column 130. It is contemplated that foam spine 20 may be made from one piece of open cell foam F40 and channels 140 are generally cut such that segments 40 and column 130 are of a one-piece construction. It is further contemplated that channels 140 may promote airflow between the user and invention 10. This may allow the release of trapped body heat.

(16) Column 130 may further include a top 150, a bottom 160, a first side 170, a second side 180, and a center portion 190. In a preferred embodiment, a slit 200 may be made at top 150 toward center portion 190. This may provide a cavity 210 for adding an internal, spline and or inner support 220 and or spline that may be glued, stuck or otherwise positioned. Inner support 220 may be a non-woven polyester material and may provide structural integrity, strength, and so forth to foam spine 20. It is contemplated that inner support 220 may provide a strengthening element as well as provide lateral and tensile support.

(17) Invention 10 may further include a removable first, inner liner and or inner cover 230, which may be made from reduced friction, water resistant, cleanable, material. Inner cover 230 may utilize a drawstring 235. It is understood that numerous types of material and closing devices are contemplated for inner cover 230.

(18) Invention 10 may further include a removable second or outer cover 240 that may comprise a non-slip and or slip resistant surface and or bottom 250 and or grip wings 260. It is contemplated that non-slip bottom 250, grip wings 260, and combinations thereof provide a means for generally securing foam spine 20 into the desired position. Grip wings 260 may be generally adapted to communicate with the user's body such that the user generally lies on grip wing 260 and thereby trapping foam spine 20 from moving away from user. It is contemplated to utilize polyester woven fabric with a PVC coating sold by the trademark name “EASTEX Products Slip-Not® fabric.”

(19) Outer cover 240 may generally be utilized with or without inner cover 230 and inner cover 230 may be generally utilized with or without outer cover 240. Outer cover 240 may have a closable opening 270 for removing foam spine 20 as known in the art. It is contemplated that closable opening 270 may include a zipper, snaps, VELCRO, and so forth.

(20) In a preferred embodiment, invention 10 may include a heating and or cooling system 280 that may comprise a sleeve 290 that may be adapted to slip generally over foam spine 20. It is also contemplated that sleeve 290 may be adapted to slide over outer cover 240, inner cover 230, and combinations thereof. Sleeve may be made from a washable fabric and may further include a pouch 300 for removabaly placing a heating pad 310, a cooling element and or ice pack 320, combinations, thereof as well as other therapeutic devices such as but not limited to massaging elements (not depicted). It is also contemplated that invention 10 may utilize heat insulating fabric with heat reflective facing.

(21) Invention 10 may further utilize:

(22) TABLE-US-00001 Item Brand Description Polyurethane Foam Carpenter Foam Block Polyester Spline OXCO, Inc Non-Woven Polyester Fabric Polyester woven fabric EASTEX Slip-Not ® fabric ™ With PVC coating Products Outside cover Hancock Fabric Ponteroma Knit or Cotton Sateen fabric Inside cover Hancock Fabric 60/40 cotton-polyester knit Waterproof cover Precision Custom Woven polyester fabric with Coatings Proprietary fluid proof coating Heating pad cover Hancock Fabric Ponteroma Knit or Cotton Sateen fabric Heat insulating barrier Innovative Temptrol ® Heat reflecting Insulation Inc. fabric

(23) Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, names, titles, headings and general division of the aforementioned are provided for convenience and should, therefore, not be considered limiting.