Posture trainer
An article of manufacture, comprising: a thoracic support; and means for maintaining the thoracic support on a chair. The invention of the present application trains the user to properly align the thoracic area of the spine.
This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/101,174 filed Sep. 30, 2008, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to therapeutic supports, in particular, spinal supports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMillions of Americans suffer from back problems and associated pain. Often back pain originates with improper posture of the thoracic spine. The invention of the present application trains the user to properly align the thoracic area of the spine.
“Normal spinal posture helps reduce potential strain. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles in concert with the forces of gravity conspire to ruin our healthy upright posture. The elderly are often slumped because of bad posture or sometimes from osteoporosis. This habit of slumping begins in childhood, when we sit in front of televisions, sit in school, sit in cars, etc. Sitting and inactivity invite poor posture, thus overstraining our spinal muscles, ligaments and joints.” (1).
When parents tell their children to “Sit up straight!” they are usually doing so because poor posture looks bad. Poor posture can be recognized by the following: rounded shoulders, head leaning forward, protruding abdomen, locked knees, hands facing backwards while standing, feet turned out. What most parents who've said “Sit up straight” don't realize is that the following ailments are typical results of poor posture: neck pain, headaches, upper back/shoulder pain, jaw pain, low back pain, arthritis and shallow breathing—all resulting in fatigue. Additionally, J. T. Freeman found that as people aged, poor posture resulted in intestinal problems, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, osteoporosis, hip and foot deformities, poor health, decreased quality of life and a shortened life span. (2) In reading this, one can understand the life-long ramifications of poor posture.
There are 3 regions of the spine; the cervical region, more commonly referred to as the neck, is composed of 7 vertebra and their discs and has a forward curvature, known as the lordotic curve. The thoracic spine is the midback, which is composed of 12 vertebra and their discs and its shape is known as a kyphotic curve. The lumbar spine, known as the low back and is composed of 5 vertebra and their discs. Its shape is also lordotic. There is a natural center of gravity, which falls through these curves. When posture is thrown off, the center of gravity is thrown off as well and excess strain is placed on the spine and spinal muscles. Excess strain has many effects on the body, but the one that people will notice most is discomfort and, eventually, pain.
Let's face it: modern life requires us to do a lot of sitting. One of the leading causes, if not the leading cause of poor posture is a result of the way we sit. Improper sitting leads to excess rounding of the thoracic spine, known as hyperkyphosis. This contributes to excess force placed on the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine.
Unfortunately, when it comes to supporting the spine, the longest segment of the spine, the thoracic spine, has been the most overlooked—until now. Most back supports only work to support the lumbar spine and fail to address the thoracic spine and the transitional area between the two, known as the thoracolumbar region. The Posture Trainer is the first device designed to support the thoracic spine and thoracolumbar region. The Posture Trainer allows a person to experience the feel of, and maintain, proper posture in the seated position. Once we learn correct seated posture and can maintain it, poor posture will become uncomfortable.
This simple, yet revolutionary device will change ergonomics in the home as well as the workplace. When the spine is not supported, there is a tremendous amount of energy wasted in trying to maintain physical comfort. For many people, this can become quite a struggle leading to pain and fatigue. By using the Posture Trainer people will experience an increase in energy, as they will no longer be in a constant struggle to get comfortable. This will go a long way in increasing productivity in the workplace. As children spend more and more time seated at computers and in school, they will be able to sit more comfortably for longer periods of time. Proper postural training now will enable their bodies to grow and develop correctly, due to maintaining normal postural forces while thy sit. This will also result in a decreased incidence of parents telling their children to “Sit up straight!!”
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTU.S. Pat. D380835 teaches an orthopedic pillow for use in an automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,776 teaches a lumbar support cushion consists of a seat portion and a back portion, foldably joined along a crease positioned there between. An opening extends in a continuous manner upward into the back portion, and downward into the seat portion. The opening may have an oval shape. In one embodiment, a support member is provided, and is positioned across the front of the back portion. The position of the support member along the back portion may be made adjustable, for example by the use of mating hook and loop material on the support member and a rear portion of the back portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,114 teaches a support device for use in supporting a user's spine while in a seated position, including lower, top and intermediate sections merged smoothly in a rigid piece. The device extends the entire length of the user's spine from occipital region to coccyx, and includes lateral support for maintaining a centered spinal position. The device preferably sits on the seat of a chair or automobile seat and leans against the back of the seat to support the user's spine. The intermediate section of the device is preferably narrow to sit flush with the user's back between the shoulder blades (scapulae) and allowing the user to rotate to either side in the seat. The support is preferably constructed with a flocked or fabric-covered foam exterior over a rigid plastic armature.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,405 teaches a cushion having a plurality of inflatable and deflatable cells useful for periodically shifting the points of contact between the cushion and a body supported by the cushion in order to reduce or eliminate the development of pressure sores. The cushion includes one or more of (i) at least two encircling cells shaped so as to define a central concavity in the upper surface of each of the encircling cells, (ii) at least one repositionable cell, (iii) at least two cells having contoured upper surfaces which define a longitudinally extending laterally concave channel, and (iv) two groupings of independently inflatable and deflatable cells arranged asymmetrically about a longitudinal axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,248 teaches a posture system with a lumbar pad and a cervical pad either one or both of which may be used. The lumbar and cervical pads may be supported on a chair by arms which can be bent to a desired position which position is retained until sufficient force is applied to place the arms into a different position. A back cover held on the back of a chair by a pocket at the end of back cover may also used with or be used in place of the arms. Hook and loop material on the lumbar pad and the cervical pad and the back cover provides support for the lumbar pad and the cervical pad. The lumbar pad and the cervical pad wrap up into the back cover which is held in the pocket for carrying.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,490 teaches an adjustable lumbar support of the kind including a flexible band which in use extends transverse of a seat backrest. The lumbar support has means for adjusting the rearward curvature of the band in a fore and aft direction and also has means for adjusting the relative effective lengths of the upper and lower regions of the band. An intermediate portion of the band is made up of a number of interconnected segments, and the location of the connection between adjacent segments may alternate between the upper and lower regions of the band. A flexible frame is connected to the band to support the band and associated components such as the adjusting means actuators, in a configuration such as to permit convenient attachment of the band assembly to a seat backrest. The frame can also function as biasing means such as to bias the band towards a condition of minimum rearward curvature.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,725 teaches a lumbar support has a pair of laterally spaced cushions with a strap extending between them. The lateral spacing of the cushions may be adjusted by varying the length of the strap. The cushions are supported on the chair back by a pair of hooks that locate the cushions vertically.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,613 teaches an orthopedic pillow for helping to correct and helping to prevent hyperkyphosis and rigidity of the thoracic spine and for returning the normal lordotic cervical curve comprises a base panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, a left top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a right top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, a first crown for supporting the thoracic spine, the first crown being formed on the first end portion of the base panel, extending toward the second end portion of the base panel, and dividing at least partially the left top surface segment from the right top surface segment, and a transition ramp formed in the first end portion of the first crown for supporting the spine just under and below the shoulder blades of a reclining person. Other embodiments of the invention include a cylindrical pillow having a transition ramp, a removable pillow apparatus for supporting the neck of a person sitting in a bucket seat of a car, and a chair having a pillow having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with a center axis that extends between its upper end portion and its lower end portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,752 teaches a cushion for supporting the lumbar area of the back of a person while seated in a chair. The cushion is suitable for use with different types of chairs and is comprised of an elongated strip of flexible material that drapes over the chair back and has a weight on one end thereof to allow easy adjustment of the cushion and a pad of foamed cushion material at the other end. The pad of foamed cushion material is adapted to fit between the chair back and the lumbar area of the back of the seated person and is preferably made of a heat sensitive plastic foam that will mold itself to conform to the shape of the lumbar area of the user's back from the body heat of the person seated in the chair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,064 teaches an orthopedic cushion for supporting the back when sitting comprising a cushion assembly and a rear support is disclosed. The cushion assembly has a front outer surface and a stiffening backbone that is essentially curved in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the front outer surface. The backbone is also provided with spaced zones. The rear support has an upper portion and a lower portion and is foldable about a zone interposed between the upper and lower portions. Means is provided for removably connecting the upper and lower portions to the spaced zones of the backbone.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,755 teaches a total back support cushion device including two or three cushion devices of a semi-cylindrical shape, having been cut lengthwise through a central axis of a cylinder, with Velcro strips positioned to allow the cushions to be fastened together to form a cylindrical shape, a “T” shape for lumbar and thoracic support or cervical and thoracic support or a side lying “H” shape for support of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions of the back at the same time, the device being attached to a chair back for support when the person is sitting upright or the individual semi-cylindrical cushions detached and placed under the cervical or lumbar regions of the back while the person is reclining.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,801 teaches a back support cushion which provides neurosensory proprioceptive kinesthetics cues to the thoracic region of the spine in proximity to the apex of the thoracic curve of the spine and provides support in the vertical plane. The kinesthetic cues and vertical plane support is accomplished by shaping the face of a back cushion in such a manner that a relatively firm raised mound is formed in proximity to the area of the apex of the thoracic spine. Thus, when the person is seated, the firm raised mound provides a light pressure on the area of the thoracic spine's bony and soft tissue elements—which stimulates the neurosensory end organs located in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules and periosteum of the thoracic spin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,724 teaches an adjustable lumbar support for attachment to car and other types of seat backs including a vertically adjustable concealed lumbar support cushion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,568 teaches a pressure exerting device comprising a resilient wedge shaped member and modified U-shape air bladder which may be filled to selected air pressure exerts pressure to a pre-selected pressure in a uniform manner over selected lumbar and sacroiliac areas of the body
U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,993 teaches a device with a semi-rigid structural support orthopedically contoured in concavo-convex shape formed on a mold the exact outline of the lumbar area of ones back. The support is covered with resilient material front and back and in the convex area. A fabric cover encloses the device and includes a zipper for convenience of closure. Reversible straps fastened to the cover provide attachment to chairs or seats to assure alignment with the back and maintain integrity of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,228 teaches a comfort support seat cushion assembly to alleviate discomfort of people that are required to sit for long terms. This comfort support seat cushion provides even pressure distribution on the gluteal region with pressure relief for the ischial tuberosities, coccyx, and perineum. A pulsating means can also be provided to administer therapeutic relief to assist in alleviating discomfort for long term sedentary positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,492 teaches a back support having a plurality of individually inflatable cushions extending horizontally across a frame and arranged such that air pressure may be adjusted in individual cushions to provide selective localized support to different areas of the back. A cross brace extends between spaced end frame members to furnish a firm support for each of the individually inflatable cushions to prevent undue deformation of the cushions.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,880 teaches adjustable back support cushions.
US Patent Application 20060255646 teaches a body support cushion including a first section of the cushion for forming a portion of the surface of the cushion, adapted to shift from a flattened state to a flexed state and a second section of the cushion for forming another portion of the surface of the cushion, adapted to shift from a flattened state to a flexed state. A hinge couples adjoining edges of the first and second sections. A first coupling member on the first section is selectively, releasably coupled to a second coupling member on the second section to create a body support cushion in which the first and second sections are flexed which results in a body support cushion capable of moving from a flattened state to a flexed state. The body support cushion is particularly suitable for supporting a user's lower back when sitting in a chair. It is also suitable for supporting other body parts such as the knee, ankle or even the back when laying down. It can also be used to support a laptop computer or other object on one's legs or lap when sitting.
US Patent Application 20050028284 teaches a cushion object designed to provide support and comfort for the head, neck, back, legs, etc. It can be used individually while sitting up or lying down. It is made of any materials suitable for making cushioned objects. Its form and size varies depending on its use, but the characteristics are the same. 1) Head and Neck Support Cushion (Lying Down) From a vertical view, the Head and Neck Support Cushion curves into the middle with even depth curves making a narrow center. From the horizontal viewpoint, the narrow center becomes wider as it expands to the sides forming the body. The streamlines curve in or out forming a crest moon facing in or out at each end. The cushion object has built-in pockets filled with pellets (or any bead type material) or fibers. The cushion object can have single or multiple pellet pockets on one side and single or multiple fiber pockets on the other side. 2) Head and Neck Support Cushion (Sitting Up) From a vertical view, the cushion object curves into the middle with one curve deeper than the other making a narrow center. The deeper curve goes up and around the center and then goes down making the space that holds the neck in place. As in cushion number one, the narrow center becomes wider as it expands to the sides forming the body. The streamlines curve in or out forming a crest moon facing in or out at each end. The cushion has built-in pockets filled with pellets (or any bead type material) or fiber for extra support and comfort. The cushion object can have single or multiple pellet pockets on one side and single or multiple fiber pockets
None of the prior art teaches the invention of the present application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention consists of an article of manufacture comprising a thoracic support and means for maintaining the thoracic support on a chair, wherein the thoracic support is maintained at a height proximate to a thoracic region of a user's spine. This provides a construction to properly align the thoracic support with the user's thoracic spine area while sitting in a chair. The basic difference between the present invention and other back supports is that it treats the “cause,” (the cause being bad posture) while other back supports, which are primarily lumbar, treat the “symptom” (that is: the lower back pain associated with bad posture). The bottom line is that the pain will continue as long as the bad posture is not corrected.
It is an object of this invention to promote good posture by training the user to sit so the thoracic spine is properly aligned.
It is an object of the invention to prevent excessive back slumping by the user.
It is an object of the invention to be inflatable to allow adjustments in size and support firmness.
It is an object of the invention to be adjustable to fit different users.
It is an object of the invention to be secured to a chair to prevent movement of the device while in use.
It is an object of the invention to provide stabilization through a relatively large contact area between the invention and the chair seat.
It is an object of the invention to be a unitary device.
It is an object of the invention to be a multiple piece device.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals
The thoracic support 140 keeps the upper back from resting on the back of the chair, thus working with the support section 130 to maintain proper posture. In the case of lower back supports described in the prior art, the upper back may rest upon the chair while the lower back is held away from the chair back, thus allowing the body to get out of alignment.
In one preferred embodiment the invention of the present application is an article of manufacture 100 comprising: a thoracic support 140; and means for maintaining the thoracic support on a chair 1000. The thoracic support 140 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials including but not limited to: plastic, fabric, glass-based materials, animal skin, composites, rubber, foam rubber, other foam materials, metals, wood and wood-based materials, or combinations of these or other materials. The thoracic support 140 may be inflatable. A means for maintaining the article of manufacture may include but not be limited to, a strap which secures the thoracic support 140 to a chair 1000, ties, hook and loop fasteners, tape or other adhesive, snaps, rivets, or any other means. The securing means may be anywhere on the article of manufacture 100, and there may be any number of securing devices.
An alternative means of maintaining the thoracic support may be a support section 130 having a first end 110 and a second end 120 with the thoracic support 140 disposed on the first end 110 and the second end 120 supported by a chair seat 1010. The thoracic support 140 may have a portion that is semi-spherical. The support section 130 and the thoracic support 140 may be unitary, which means that the support section 130 and thoracic support 140 are manufactured as a single unit. The support section 130 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials including but not limited to: fabric, glass-based materials, animal skin, composites, rubber, foam rubber, other foam materials, metals, wood and wood-based materials, or combinations of these or other materials. The thoracic support 140 may have a thoracic support width 170 and the second end 120 may have a second end width 180 and the thoracic support width 170 may be about the same as the second end width 180. The thoracic support 140 may have a thickness 160 of between 1.5 and 6 inches. This preferred embodiment of the invention may have a length 150 of between 15 and 21 inches, and a width 170 of from 10 to 13 inches.
In an another preferred embodiment the invention of the present application is an article of manufacture, comprising: an inflatable thoracic support; and means for maintaining the thoracic support on a chair 100; wherein the thoracic support 140 is maintained at a height proximate to the thoracic region of a user's spine. The thoracic support 140 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials including but not limited to: fabric, glass-based materials, animal skin, composites, rubber, foam rubber, other foam materials, metals, wood and wood-based materials, or combinations of these or other materials. A means for maintaining the article of manufacture may any means, including but not limited to, a strap which secures the thoracic support 140 to a chair 1000, ties, hook and loop fasteners, tape or other adhesive, snaps, rivets, or any other means. An alternative means of maintaining the thoracic support is a support section 130 having a first end 110 and a second end 120 with the thoracic support 140 disposed on the first end 110 and the second end 120 supported by a chair seat 1010. The thoracic support 140 may have a portion that is semi-spherical. The support section 130 and the thoracic support 140 may be unitary, which means that the support section 130 and thoracic support 140 are manufactured as a single unit. The support section 130 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials including but not limited to: fabric, glass-based materials, animal skin, composites, rubber, foam rubber, other foam materials, metals, wood and wood-based materials, or combinations of these or other materials. The thoracic support 140 may have a thoracic support width 170 and the second end 120 may have a second end width 180 and the thoracic support width 170 may be about the same as the second end width 180. The thoracic support 140 may have a thickness 160 of between 1.5 and 6 inches. This preferred embodiment of the invention may have a length 150 of between 15 and 21 inches, and a width 170 of from 10 to 13 inches.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An article of manufacture, comprising:
- a thoracic support; and
- means for maintaining the thoracic support on a chair.
2. The article of claim 1, wherein the thoracic support is inflatable.
3. The article of claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining the thoracic support is a strap which secures the thoracic support to a chair.
4. The article of claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining the thoracic support is a support section having first and second ends, with the thoracic support disposed on the first end and the second end is supported by a chair seat.
5. The article of claim 1, wherein the thoracic support has at least a portion that is semi-spherical.
6. The article of claim 4, wherein the thoracic support and the support section are unitary.
7. The article of claim 6, wherein the article is inflatable.
8. The article of claim 4, wherein the thoracic support has a width and the second end has a width and the thoracic support width is about the same as the second end width.
9. The article of claim 1, wherein the thoracic support has a thickness of between 1.5 and 6 inches.
10. The article of claim 8, wherein the article has an overall length of between 15 and 21 inches.
11. An article of manufacture, comprising:
- an inflatable thoracic support; and
- means for maintaining the thoracic support on a chair;
- wherein the thoracic support is maintained at a height proximate to a thoracic region of a user's spine.
12. The article of claim 11, wherein the means for maintaining the thoracic support is a strap which secures the thoracic support to a chair.
13. The article of claim 11, wherein the means for maintaining the thoracic support is a support section having first and second ends, with the thoracic support disposed on the first end and the second end supported by a chair seat.
14. The article of claim 11, wherein the thoracic support has at least a portion that is semi-spherical.
15. The article of claim 13, wherein the thoracic support and the support section are unitary.
16. The article of claim 13, wherein the thoracic support has a width and the second end has a width and the thoracic support width is about the same as the second end width.
17. The article of claim 11, wherein the thoracic support has a thickness of between 1.5 and 6 inches.
18. The article of claim 13, wherein the article has an overall length of between 15 and 21 inches.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 30, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 1, 2010
Inventor: Gordon Glyck (Montville, NJ)
Application Number: 12/586,972
International Classification: A47C 7/42 (20060101);
