SUPPORT MEMBER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A support member may include a body having a first end, a second end, and a base there between. The body further includes a protuberance on the body proximate the first end and a bulbous region proximate the second end. A seating surface is defined between the protuberance and the bulbous region and is configured on an opposing side of the body from the base. A connection feature may be configured in the body to provide rigidity between opposing sides thereof. The first end defines a first face and the first face is configured to abut a structure Likewise, the base is configured to abut a surface on which the structure is placed. Friction members on the first face and the base can increase the resistance to movement between the support member, the structure, and the surface on which the support member and the structure are placed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S]

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application to Shumway, entitled “INFLATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME,” Ser. No. 62/038,138, filed Aug. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to support members, and in particular to a flexible support member.

2. State of the Art

Hand washing clothes, items, or other objects in a tub, basin, or other water-holding container can sometimes be a challenge, especially when the level of the container is relatively low with respect to the reach of the user. The challenge stems mainly from the task of trying to keep one's position and balance with respect to the container without using hands, which must remain free to perform the washing.

For caregivers of small children and infants, bath time presents an increased challenge over washing simple inanimate objects. Due to the inherent dangers of water, the mental responsibility and stress one feels in the supervision of small children in and around water is pervasive and constant. Couple thereto the physical difficulty of scrubbing and cleaning slippery, moving objects (i.e., the children) and bath time is a true circus act. Oftentimes, the caregiver is required to exhibit feats of superhuman effort, including bending, kneeling, reaching, holding and the like, all at the same time, to lather and rinse the children without the children going under or splashing water everywhere. It goes without saying then that it would be difficult for the caregiver to maintain any level of comfort while achieving these bath-time objectives.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to support members, and in particular to a flexible support member capable of supporting a user thereon.

An aspect of the present disclosure includes a flexible support member comprising: a flexible body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, a width defined between opposing sides, and a height defined between a base and a seating surface; a connection feature positioned closer to the first end than the second end along the length of the flexible body and configured to connect opposing sides to one another; and a bulbous region of the flexible body proximate the second end, the bulbous region having a substantially spherical shape with a diameter greater than the width.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a flexible seating apparatus comprising: a flexible body having a first region and a second region, the first region having a substantially elongate shape and the second region having a substantially spherical shape, the first region having a front end, a width defined between opposing sides, and a height defined between a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, the second region bulging from a portion of the first region opposing the front end, a bore extending entirely through the width of the first region; wherein the front end and the bottom surface are substantially orthogonal, and wherein the seating surface is configured on the first region.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of supporting a user, the method comprising: providing a flexible body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, a width defined between opposing sides, and a height defined between a base and a seating surface, a bore extending entirely through the width of the flexible body, and a bulbous region of the flexible body proximate the second end, the bulbous region having a substantially spherical shape with a diameter greater than the width and the height; placing the flexible body up against a surface, wherein a portion of the base contacts a ground surface concurrently with a portion of the first end contacting the surface; and supporting a user on the seating surface of the flexible body, with the user straddling the flexible body.

The foregoing and other features, advantages, and construction of the present disclosure will be more readily apparent and fully appreciated from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a support apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the embodiment support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the embodiment of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of a user leaning over a structure while using an embodiment of the support apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures listed above. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure.

As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 depict embodiments of a seating apparatus or a support member 10. Embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise various structural and functional components that complement one another to provide the unique functionality and performance of the support member 10, the structure and function of which will be described in greater detail herein.

With reference to the Figures, the support member 10 may comprise a body 20. The body 20 may be configured to be an elastic, inflatable member capable of receiving therein, retaining within, and releasing therefrom a fluid, such as for example, but not limited thereto, air and/or water. The body 20 may alternatively be comprised of a flexible, malleable, pliable, and/or spongy cellular material capable of supporting weight thereon without completely deforming. The body 20 may alternatively be comprised of a rubberized inflatable material capable of receiving therein, retaining within, and releasing therefrom a fluid, such as for example, but not limited thereto, air and/or water. The body 20 may be configured to be a flexible, elongate, and bulbous member having, generally, a length, a width, and a height.

The body 20 may define its general length L between a first end 12 and a second end 22, its width W between a starboard side 32 and a port side 34, and its general height H between a base 30 and a seating surface 18, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3. For example, in one embodiment the body of the support member 10 may have a general length of 26 inches and a height at the first end 12 of 17 inches, due to the protuberance 16, to be discussed in greater detail herein, a height at the seating surface 18 of 13 inches, and a height at the second end 22 (or bulbous region 28) of 14-16 inches, due to the diameter of the substantially spherically-shaped bulbous region 28, to be discussed in greater detail herein. The body 20 of the support member 10 may have a general width W of 9 inches at the first end 12 between sides 32 and 34 and a maximum width of 14-16 inches at the bulbous region 28, due to the diameter D of the substantially spherically-shaped bulbous region 28. The width W of the body 20 between the sides 32 and 34 may be less than the diameter D, or resulting width, of the bulbous region 28. In addition, the height H between the base 30 and the seating surface 18 may be less than the diameter D of the bulbous region 28, thus causing the height of the body 20 at the bulbous region 28 to be greater than the height between the base 30 and the seating surface. Alternatively, the height H between the base 30 and the seating surface 18 may be substantially the same as the diameter D of the bulbous region 28. Moreover, the height H1 of the first end 12 may be greater than both the height H between the base 30 and the seating surface 18 and the diameter D of the bulbous region 28. Embodiments of the support member 10 may further comprise the body 20 being a substantially spherical shape and having an elongate portion extending from a side thereof. The substantially spherical shape may be defined by the bulbous region 28 and the elongate portion may be defined between the sides 32 and 34 and between the first end 12 and the bulbous region 28. In this manner, the first end 12 may be described as a distal end, or front end, from the bulbous region 28. The bore, as the connection feature 50, may be defined in the elongate portion of the body 20 between the sides 32 and 34. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the relative dimensions may be altered without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise the first end 12 defining a front face 13 and a rounded corner 14. The front face 13 may be configured to be a substantially flat surface. The front face 13 may be configured to functionally engage a surface or structure 2, such as a bath tub, wash basin, or other physical surface or structure against which the support member 10 may be positioned, as desired by a user. The rounded corner 14 may be configured between the base 30, mentioned above, and the front face 13. The rounded corner 14 may be rounded to allow the front face 13 of the support member 10 to contact or physically engage the surface or structure 2 without the base 30, or other lower extremities of the support member 10, interfering therewith. A gap may thereby be created between the support member 10, the structure 2, and the surface upon which the base 30 of the support member 10 rests. As a result, under the condition a user places himself/herself on the seating surface 18, the rounded corner 14 may be compressed, or otherwise squished, into the gap, thereby providing additional flexibility to the support member 10 with respect to the structure 2 and comfort to the user seated on the support member 10. The first end 12 may be configured in a substantially orthogonal arrangement with the base 30 to provide for the base 30 being able to contact and engage a first surface, such as a ground surface, and the first end 12 being able to contact and engage a second surface, such as the vertical surface 2 of a tub, basin, bucket, or other structure into which a user may wish to reach or work while sitting on the support member 10. In this way, the user may be supported on the support member 10, with the support member 10 engaging both the first and second surfaces with the base 30 and the first end 12, respectively, to prevent the support member 10 from shifting, moving, or otherwise displacing as the user manipulates objects or items within the structure against which the support member 10 is positioned.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-4, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise a protuberance 16. The protuberance 16 may be defined on the body 20 near the first end 12 between the front face 13 and the seating surface 18. The protuberance 16 may be configured to rise up from the body 20 near the front face 13 and the seating surface 18 to create a bump, swelling, prominence or knob that extends substantially vertically at the first end 12. The protuberance 16 may be configured to rise up from the body 20 so as to extend the height of the front face 13 with respect to remaining portions of the body 20. The protuberance 16 may be further configured to have rounded, curved, tapered, and/or smooth-edged surfaces, so as to not define sharp or harsh surfaces or edges thereon. The protuberance 16 may be further configured to gradually rise from the body 20 to seamlessly transition with remaining portions of the body 20, including for example the front face 13 and the seating surface 18.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise the second end 22 defining a back surface 23, an engagement member 24, and a valve 26 (see FIG. 3). The back surface 23 may be configured to oppose the front face 13. The back surface 23 may further be configured as a rounded surface more so than a flat face, as the second end 22 may define a bulbous region 28, to be described in greater detail herein. The back surface 23 may further define thereon an engagement member 24 that may be configured to functionally engage an object, such as a hook, to suspend, hang, store, or otherwise append the support member 10 to the object while the support member 10 is not in use. The engagement member 24 may be configured as a loop, or flexible loop, that may engage the object to functionally couple the support member 10 to the object. The engagement member 24 may be configured as a handle that the user may manipulate to move or transport the support member 10 from location to location, as desired. The engagement member 24 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, as desired. The valve 26 may be configured to regulate the fluid not only within the support member 10 but also into and out of the support member 10. The valve 10 may be a conventional inflation valve used on common inflatable sports equipment. As such, embodiments of the support member 10 may be filled with air using a common air pump and needle.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-3, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise a connection feature 50 configured to connect each of the sides 32 and 34 to one another. For example, the connection feature 50 may be a bore, as exemplarily depicted in the Figures, that is configured to run entirely through the width of the support member 10 from side 32 to side 34, or vice versa. The bore, as the connection feature 50, may be configured to couple the sides 32 and 34 to one another to provide stability to the body 20 and the support member under weight of the user. In other words, the bore, as the connection feature 50, provides a means for the two sides 32 and 34 to couple to one another to provide the added stability and rigidity described herein.

For example, the bore, as the connection feature 50, may be configured as an opening running entirely through the width of the support member 10, the bore being positioned along the length of the body 20 closer to the first end 12 than the second end 22 and being positioned along the height of the body 20 at about midway between the base 30 and the seating surface 18. The bore may have an axis 50A that may be aligned substantially orthogonally to the length of the body 20. Configuring the axis 50A in an orthogonal alignment with respect to the length body 20 provides the body 20 of the support member 10 with a uniform and symmetrical appearance, construction and performance. For example, with a symmetrical construction (i.e., viewed from either side 32 or 34 of the body 20), the weight of a user positioned on the seating surface 18 of the support member 10 may be distributed evenly on the body 20 to thereby evenly distribute the forces acting on the body 20 caused by the weight of the user. The even distribution of force stresses on the body 20 may serve to lengthen the life of the body 20. Moreover, the even distribution of forces over the body 20 may also serve to assist the body 20 in properly receiving and supporting the user on the support member 10 in a uniform manner. Also, the size and shape of the bore, as the connection feature 50, may be defined by the configuration of the support member 10. For example, the sides 32 and 34 of the support member 10 may be configured to gradually taper together until they meet one another and define a section where the bore may be positioned and defined in the support member 10. Accordingly, the bore may have a small diameter at a central width of the body 20 and gradually increase in diameter outwardly from this smallest diameter to ever increasing diameters toward the sides 32 and 34.

With further reference to FIG. 3, having the bore, as the connection feature 50, configured to extend completely through the width of the body 20 and also configured to have a tapered diameter, as explained herein, the bore may further define regions in the body 20 of the support member 10. For example, the bore may define an upper body region 52, a lower body region 54 and a front region 56. The upper body region 52 may be defined as a portion of the body 20 configured generally between the bore and the seating surface 18. The lower region 54 may be defined as a portion of the body 20 configured generally between the bore and the base 30. The front region 56 may be defined as a portion of the body 20 configured generally between the bore and the first end 12.

The upper region 52 may be configured as a substantially rounded or bulging region of the body 20 between the seating surface 18 and the bore, the upper region 52 having a diameter or span about half the height of the body 20 due to the placement of the bore in the body 20. In other words, with the bore, as the connection feature 50, positioned substantially at a midway point between the seating surface 18 and the base 30, the bore divides the overall height of the body 20 in half, thus producing the upper region 52 having a diameter or span about half the size of the height. Due to the reduced diameter or span of the upper region 52 with respect to the overall height, the upper region 52 is limited or otherwise restricted in the degree to which the upper region 52 may stretch, squish, or otherwise displace in response to the weight of the user. Such a configuration provides the support member 10 the ability to substantially maintain its initial shape despite the weight of a user being placed on the support member 10.

The lower region 54 may be configured as a substantially rounded or bulging region of the body 20 between the base 30 and the bore, the lower region 54 having a diameter or span about half the height of the body 20 due to the placement of the bore in the body 20. In other words, with the bore, as the connection feature 50, positioned substantially at a midway point between the base 30 and the bore, the bore divides the overall height of the body 20 in half, thus producing the lower region 54 having a diameter or span about half the size of the height. Due to the reduced diameter or span of the lower region 54 with respect to the overall height, the lower region 54 is limited or otherwise restricted in the degree to which the lower region 54 may stretch, squish, or otherwise displace in response to the weight of the user. Such a configuration provides the support member 10 the ability to substantially maintain its initial shape despite the weight of a user being placed on the support member 10.

The front region 56 may be configured as a substantially rounded or bulging region of the body 20 between the first end 12 and the bore, the front region 56 having a diameter or span about one third of the length of the body 20 due to the placement of the bore in the body 20. In other words, with the bore, as the connection feature 50, positioned substantially at a third of the way down the length of the body 20 from the first end 12, the bore defines the front region 56 as having a diameter or span about a third of the size of the length. Due to the reduced diameter or span of the front region 56 with respect to the overall length, the front region 56 is limited or otherwise restricted in the degree to which the front region 56 may stretch, squish, or otherwise displace in response to the weight of the user. Such a configuration provides the support member 10 the ability to substantially maintain its initial shape despite the weight of a user being placed on the support member 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise a bulbous region 28 defined between a transition section 36 and the second face 23. The transition section 36 may be configured proximate the connection feature 50. The bulbous region 28 may be defined substantially between the bore and the second end 22 of the support member 10 and may be configured to be an enlarged section of the body 20 with respect to remaining portions of the body 20. In other words, the bulbous region 28 may be configured to be larger in width, height, and/or diameter than neighboring portions of the body 20. For example, the bulbous region 28 may begin to bulge or swell from the seating surface 18, the starboard side 32, and the port side 34 at the transition section 36, or from the tapered portions of the bore, as the connection feature 50, rearward. In other words, traveling down the length of the body 20 from the first end 12 to the second end 22, the width of the support member 10 and the height of the seating surface 18 from the base 30 may begin to gradually increase, or bulge, at the transition section 36, such that the increased width and height defines the bulbous region 28. The bulbous region 28 may continue to increase in size until the bulbous region 28 reaches a maximum bulge (i.e., maximum width and height) proximate the second end 22 and may thereafter reduce in size and taper to the second face 23. The bulbous region 28 may be configured in a substantially spherical shape, especially when viewed from the back of the body 20. Or, stated another way, the second end 22 of the body 20 may be configured in a substantially spherical shape due to the configuration of the bulbous region 28 proximate the second end 22.

The bore, as the connection feature 50, may restrict the stretching and/or displacement of the bulbous region 28 under the load of a user more than it might otherwise without the connection feature 50 positioned within the body 20. For example, and as disclosed above, the positioning of the connection feature 50 effectively reduces the diameters or spans of the respective regions 52, 54 and 56 of the body 20 such that these regions 52, 54 and 56 displace less than they would otherwise without the connection feature 50 positioned within the body 20. This same principle applies to the stretching and displacement of the bulbous region 28, because with the connection feature 50 positioned at about a third of the length down the body 20 from the first end 12, the effective length of the bulbous region 28 is reduced by one third, or the distance from the connection feature 50 to the second end 22. Due to the reduced length of the bulbous region 28 with respect to the overall length, the bulbous region 28 is limited or otherwise restricted in the degree to which the bulbous region 28 may stretch, squish, or otherwise displace in response to the weight of the user. Such a configuration provides the support member 10 the ability to substantially maintain its initial shape despite the weight of a user being placed on the support member 10.

Embodiments of the support member 10 may further comprise the connection feature 50 being a connecting point or connection member (not depicted) that couples the sides 32 and 34 to one another at the connection point (not depicted) to hold the sides 32 and 34 in place with respect to one another. As a result, the connection member (not depicted) may not be a bore at all, but a solid material that couples the sides 32 and 34 together, the solid material being a molded portion or welded/melted portion of the body 20. For example, the connection member (not depicted) may couple the sides 32 and 34 to one another such that the positioning of the connection member (not depicted) effectively holds the sides 32 and 34 in place with respect to one another to create the diameters or spans of the respective regions 52, 54 and 56 of the body 20, as discussed above with respect to the bore, as the connection feature 50. As a result, these regions 52, 54 and 56 created by the positioning of the connection member (not depicted) between the sides 32 and 34 may cause the regions 52, 54 and 56 to displace less than they would otherwise without the connection member (not depicted) positioned within the body 20. Due to the reduced widths, diameters or spans of the regions 52, 54 and 56 with respect to the overall width and height of the body 20 caused by the positioning of the connection member (not depicted), the regions 52, 54 and 56 are limited or otherwise restricted in the degree to which the regions 52, 54 and 56 may stretch, squish, or otherwise displace in response to the weight of the user. Such a configuration provides the support member 10 the ability to substantially maintain its initial shape despite the weight of a user being placed on the support member 10.

Embodiments of the support member 10 may further comprise the connection feature 50 being a tube-like member or rod (not depicted) positioned internally within the body 20 that couples the sides 32 and 34 to one another to hold the sides 32 and 34 in place with respect to one another. As a result, the internal member (not depicted) may replace the bore, as the connection feature 50, and function in a similar way to the bore. For example, the internal member (not depicted) may be positioned internally within the body 20 and couple the sides 32 and 34 to one another such that the positioning of the internal member (not depicted) effectively holds the sides 32 and 34 in place with respect to one another to create the diameters or spans of the respective regions 52, 54 and 56 of the body 20, as discussed above with respect to the bore, as the connection feature 50. As a result, these regions 52, 54 and 56 created by the positioning of the internal member (not depicted) between the sides 32 and 34 may cause the regions 52, 54 and 56 to displace less than they would otherwise without the internal member (not depicted) positioned within the body 20. Due to the reduced widths, diameters or spans of the regions 52, 54 and 56 with respect to the overall width and height of the body 20 caused by the positioning of the internal member (not depicted), the regions 52, 54 and 56 are limited or otherwise restricted in the degree to which the regions 52, 54 and 56 may stretch, squish, or otherwise displace in response to the weight of the user. Such a configuration provides the support member 10 the ability to substantially maintain its initial shape despite the weight of a user being placed on the support member 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise a seating surface 18. The seating surface 18 may be a surface having a length between the first end 12 and the second end 22 and configured to receive a user thereon. In other words, the seating surface 18 may be configured to accommodate a user that sits thereon. The seating surface 18 may be a defined as a concave surface that tapers from the maximum height of the bulbous region 28 to a minimum height proximate the protuberance 16 of the support member 10. From the minimum height proximate the protuberance 16, the seating surface 18 may rise to the maximum height of the bulbous region 28. The seating surface 18 may define an initial dramatic taper from the protuberance 16, due to the fact that the protuberance 16 is configured to rise up off the body 20. After the dramatic taper, the seating surface 18 may define a gradual incline between the protuberance 16 and the bulbous region 28. It is upon this gradual incline of the seating surface 18 that a user may place himself/herself to utilize the support member 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise a base 30. The base 30 may be a surface that opposes the seating surface 18 and is defined between the first end 12 and the second end 22. The base 30 may be configured to be a substantially flat surface that may be brought into contact with a surface upon which the support member is placed, such as the ground or floor surface. The base 30 may be configured in a size and shape to constrain the movement of the support member 10 once the base 30 is placed upon the ground surface or floor surface. Indeed, the base 30 may be configured in a size and shape to constrain the movement of the support member 10 with respect to the ground surface even when a user places himself/herself on the support member 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, embodiments of the support member 10 may further comprise one or more protrusions 70 configured on the base 30. The protrusions 70 may be configured on the base 30 near the second end 22 of the body 20. The protrusions 70 may be configured to protrude outwardly from the base 30 and extend a predetermined distance. The protrusions 70 may be configured to contact the ground surface on which the support member 10 is positioned or placed and help prevent the support member 10 from toppling or otherwise tipping over. The protrusions 70 may be configured as rounded members or hemispherical members having the rounded section thereof oriented away from the base 30 and configured to contact the ground surface. The protrusions 70 may be configured as a pair on opposing sides of the base 30 near the second end 22, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Further to the foregoing, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, embodiments of the support member 10 may comprise one or more friction members 40. The friction members 40 may be configured for example, but not limited thereto, as bumps, grooves, ridges, concentric circles, patterns, surface features, knobs, different materials, or other friction enhancing features that may add to the friction capacity of the support member 10 against other surfaces the support member 10 may come into contact with. The friction members 40 may be configured in different shapes and sizes and/or in various shapes and patterns. Further, the friction members 40 may be comprised of a different material from that of the support member 10. As exemplarily depicted, one or more friction members 40 may be placed randomly, sequentially, systematically, and/or periodically on the base 30 to provide additional frictional resistance to the base 30 against movement of the support member 10 against the ground or floor surface upon which the support member is placed. Additionally, one or more friction members 40 may be placed randomly, sequentially, systematically, and/or periodically on the front face 13 to provide additional frictional resistance to the front face 13 against movement of the support member 10 against the structure 2. For example, a pair of elongated friction members 40 may be positioned on the front face 13 at opposing top and bottom ends of the front face to provide increased friction against the surface or structure 2 against which the support member 10 may be placed.

With reference to FIG. 8, a user may utilize an embodiment of the support member 10 to hand wash items in a tub, basin, or container. For example, a user may position the front face 13 of the support member 10 up against a surface or a structure 2, such that the front face 13 may functionally engage the structure 2. One or more friction members 40 coupled to the front face 13 may be positioned between the front face 13 and the structure 2 so as to grip the structure 2 to inhibit the front face 13 from moving with respect to the structure 2. Moreover, due to the flexible nature of the support member 10, in addition to the one or more friction members 40 on the front face 13 contacting the surface or structure 2, portions of the front face 13 itself may additionally contact the surface or structure 2 to provide additional grip against the surface or structure 2. Likewise, once the front face 13 of the support member 10 is positioned up against the structure 2, the base 30 will likewise be positioned on (and likely rest upon) a ground surface or floor surface next to the tub, basin, or container, such that the base 30 may functionally engage the floor surface. One or more friction members 40 coupled to the base 30 may be positioned between the base 30 and the floor surface so as to grip the floor surface to inhibit the base 30 from moving with respect to the floor surface. Moreover, due to the flexible nature of the support member 10, in addition to the one or more friction members 40 on the base 30 contacting the surface or structure 2, portions of the base 30 itself may additionally contact the floor surface to provide additional grip against the floor surface.

Once the support member 10 is properly positioned, as described herein, a user may position himself/herself on the support member 10 to perform hand washing of items within the tub, basin, or container. For example, with the front face 13 engaged with the surface or structure 2 (i.e., tub, basin, or container), the length of the support member 10 extends outwardly from the structure 2. In some cases, the support member 10 may extend substantially orthogonally from the structure 2. As such, the user may straddle the support member 10 by placing the user's right leg on the starboard side 32 of the body 20 and the user's left leg on the port side 34 of the body 20. Thereafter, the user may sit on the seating surface 18 between the protuberance 16 and the bulbous region 28, as exemplarily depicted in FIG. 8. The protuberance 16 may be configured to provide comfort to the user, in that the user may rest against the protuberance 16 instead of the structure 2 when the user leans forward to wash items within the structure 2. Likewise, the bulbous region 28 may be configured to prevent the user from slipping or otherwise sliding off the second end 22 of the support member 28, in that the larger size of the bulbous region 28 with respect to the seating surface 18 prevents the user from sliding backward. Using the support member 10, the user no longer needs to uncomfortably kneel on the floor surface to effectuate the hand washing of items within the tub, basin, or container.

Inclusive of the foregoing description of the unique structure and function of the support member 10, a method of supporting a user using an embodiment of the inflatable support member 10 is exemplarily described herein. The method may comprise providing an inflatable support member, inflating the inflatable support member, positioning the inflatable support member against a structure, supporting a user on the support member, the user washing an item in the structure. The method may further comprise utilizing an inflatable support member of the unique structure and function of the support member 10. The method may further comprise positioning the support member 10 with respect to the structure 2 as described herein.

For example, the step of positioning the inflatable support member against a structure may further comprise placing the first end 12 of the support member 10 against a vertical surface of the structure and the base 30 of the support member against a ground surface on which the structure and the support member 10 are supported. The step of supporting a user on the support member may further comprise the user straddling the support member 10, with a leg on each side of the support member 10.

The method may further comprise providing a spongy cellular support member, positioning the spongy cellular support member against a structure, and supporting a user on the spongy cellular support member. The method may further comprise utilizing the support member of the unique structure and function of the support member 10. The method may further comprise positioning the support member 10 with respect to the structure 2 as described herein.

For example, the step of positioning the spongy cellular support member against a structure may further comprise placing the first end 12 of the support member 10 against a vertical surface of the structure and the base 30 of the support member against a ground surface on which the structure and the support member 10 are supported. The step of supporting a user on the support member may further comprise the user straddling the support member 10, with a leg on each side of the support member 10.

The components defining the above-described inflatable support member 10 may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of the inflatable support member 10 of the type disclosed herein. For example, and not limited thereto, the various components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses, such as fiberglass, silicate glass, naturally occurring glass, or any other amorphous solid material, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; ceramics or any other crystalline or partly crystalline material, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; wood or any other hard, fibrous structural tissue or material, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining the above-described inflatable support member 10 may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, 3-D printing, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

While this disclosure has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as required by the following claims. The claims provide the scope of the coverage of the present disclosure and should not be limited to the specific examples provided herein.

Claims

1. A flexible support member comprising:

a flexible body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, a width defined between opposing sides, and a height defined between a base and a seating surface;

a connection feature positioned closer to the first end than the second end along the length of the flexible body and configured to connect opposing sides to one another; and

a bulbous region of the flexible body proximate the second end, the bulbous region having a substantially spherical shape with a diameter greater than the width.

2. The flexible support member of claim 1, wherein the connection feature is a bore running entirely through the width of the flexible body.

3. The flexible support member of claim 1, wherein the first end and the base are substantially orthogonal.

4. The flexible support member of claim 1, further comprising a protuberance on the flexible body proximate the first end and the seating surface and extending away from the seating surface.

5. The flexible support member of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the seating surface is configured between the protuberance and the bulbous region.

6. The flexible support member of claim 2, wherein the bore has an axis oriented substantially orthogonal to the length of the flexible body.

7. The flexible support member of claim 2, wherein the bore has a gradually increasing diameter from a smallest diameter outward to each opposing side.

8. The flexible support member of claim 2, wherein the bore is positioned in the flexible body at substantially midway between the base and the seating surface.

9. The flexible support member of claim 1, further comprising one or more protrusions extending from the base proximate the second end.

10. The flexible support member of claim 1, further comprising friction members on the base or the first end.

11. The flexible support member of claim 1, wherein the flexible body is inflatable.

12. The flexible support member of claim 1, wherein the flexible body is a spongy cellular material.

13. A flexible seating apparatus comprising:

a flexible body having a first region and a second region, the first region having a substantially elongate shape and the second region having a substantially spherical shape, the first region having a front end, a width defined between opposing sides, and a height defined between a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, the second region bulging from a portion of the first region opposing the front end,

a bore extending entirely through the width of the first region;

wherein the front end and the bottom surface are substantially orthogonal, and

wherein the seating surface is configured on the first region.

14. The flexible seating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second region has a diameter larger than the width of the first region.

15. The flexible seating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bore has an axis oriented substantially orthogonal to the elongate shape of the first region and a gradually increasing diameter from a smallest diameter outward to each of the opposing sides.

16. The flexible seating apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a protuberance on the flexible body proximate the front end and the seating surface and extending away from the seating surface, and wherein at least a portion of the seating surface is configured between the protuberance and the second region.

17. The flexible seating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flexible body is inflatable.

18. The flexible seating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flexible body is a spongy cellular material.

19. A method of supporting a user, the method comprising:

providing a flexible body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, a width defined between opposing sides, and a height defined between a base and a seating surface, a bore extending entirely through the width of the flexible body, and a bulbous region of the flexible body proximate the second end, the bulbous region having a substantially spherical shape with a diameter greater than the width;

placing the flexible body up against a surface, wherein a portion of the base contacts a ground surface concurrently with a portion of the first end contacting the surface; and

supporting a user on the seating surface of the flexible body, with the user straddling the flexible body.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising inflating the flexible body prior to the placing the flexible body up against a surface.