APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING SITTING POSTURE
An apparatus for improving the sitting posture of a user is provided. The apparatus includes a back support member configured to rest against the backrest of a chair. A pair of shoulder straps having a pair of adjustable harnessesis attached to the back support member, the straps and harnesses configured to secure the user to the chair during use. Once secured, the user is prevented from leaning forward too much; keeping the neck properly aligned to minimize the negative health effects of poor posture. A quick release is provided allowing the user to be free from constraint.
The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/488,8615 filed Apr. 21, 2017 entitled “Apparatus and method for improving sitting posture”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to sitting position and posture, but more particularly to an apparatus and system for improving sitting posture.
2. Description of Related Artit is well known that sitting for extended periods of time has negative effects on the body. Specifically, being in an improper position and having poor posture while sitting has many negative health effects, including but not limited to depression, stress, poor digestion, cardiovascular issues, back pain, abnormal spinal curve, sore or tense muscles, and headaches. Consequently, there is a need for an apparatus and system for improving sitting posture.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for improving sitting posture is provided, comprising a back support member having a top portion and a bottom portion; a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap attached to the top surface of the back support member; a first adjustable harness and a second adjustable harness positioned along the first and second shoulder straps respectively; and, a plurality of installation straps configured to secure the apparatus to a chair.
In one embodiment, the back support member is constructed from a foam cushion having a contoured shape including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion providing lumbar support. In another embodiment, the foam cushion is covered with a fabric cover. In one embodiment, the first and second adjustable harness each includes an elastic section. In one embodiment, the plurality of installation straps comprise a first horizontal installation strap, a second horizontal installation strap, and a vertical installation strap, wherein the first and second installation straps are configured to be secured around a base section of a backrest of the chair, and the vertical installation strap is configured to go over the backrest from a top section and connect to the first and second horizontal installation straps for securement. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of the back support member abuts a seat of the chair. In another embodiment, a first quick release connector attached to the first adjustable harness and a second quick release connector attached to the second adjustable harness are provided.
In another aspect of the invention a system is provided, comprising a chair having a seat, a backrest, and a stem; an apparatus configured to improving sitting posture of a user sitting on the seat of the chair, the apparatus comprising a back support member having a top portion and a bottom portion; a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap attached to the top surface of the back support member; a first adjustable harness and a second adjustable harness positioned along the first and second shoulder straps respectively; and, a plurality of installation straps configured to secure the apparatus to the backrest of the chair, wherein a back of the user rests against the back support member and the first and second shoulder straps are configured to secure a torso of the user such that a neck of the user is prevented from leaning forward more than a predetermined distance.
In one embodiment, the back support member is constructed from a foam cushion having a contoured shape including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion providing lumbar support to the back of the user. In another embodiment, the first and second adjustable harness each includes an elastic section such the predetermined distance is increased. In one embodiment, the plurality of installation straps comprise a first horizontal installation strap, a second horizontal installation strap, and a vertical installation strap, wherein the first and second installation straps are configured to be secured around a base section of the backrest of the chair, and the vertical installation strap is configured to go over the backrest from a top section and connect to the first and second horizontal installation straps for securement. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of the back support member abuts the seat of the chair. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a removable strap configured to wrap around the stem of the chair such that the bottom portion of the back support member retains positioned abutting the seat of the chair. In yet another embodiment, the chair is an office chair. In one embodiment, the chair includes a pair of arm rests. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a first quick release connector attached to the first adjustable harness and a second quick release connector attached to the second adjustable harness, the first and second quick release connectors enabling the user to be free of securement and exit the apparatus.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an apparatus and system for improving sitting posture,
The object of the present invention is to provide a system enabling a user to adopt good sitting habits especially while sitting at a desk and working on a computer. For example, one instance of a poor sitting habit includes leaning forward with the neck extended, commonly referred to as a “hunched” posture. This position forces chest muscles to tighten, which can cause excessive curvature of the upper back, as well as other health concerns previously discussed. Thus, it is a particular advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and system preventing poor sitting habits. The details of the present invention will be described below.
Still referring to
Still referring to
Referring now to
During installation, the first and second horizontal installation straps are wrapped around the office chair towards the base of the office chair as illustrated in
During use, a user sits on the chair and places their arms through the first and second shoulder straps, then tightens the first and second adjustable harnesses until secure. It is a particular advantage of the present invention, that once the user is secure in the apparatus, the user is limited in movement, which helps the user to sit properly on the chair, specifically with the back of the user against the back support member, without allowing the user from leaning forward and extending their neck forward, or moving to the edge of the chair. Utilizing the first or second quick connection release member, the user is enabled to easily be free of securement and exit the apparatus, without removing or loosening the installation straps. Likewise, the user can use the connection release members to resecure themselves to the apparatus without requiring the apparatus to be reinstalled. That is, the apparatus can be conveniently left installed on the chair.
The installation straps may loosen over time. If loosened, the straps may be retightened to reestablish a firm securement. Alternatively, an optional removable strap 112 may be used to add an additional means to secure the apparatus, and specifically the back support member position during use. The optional removable strap helps prevent the back support member from rising off the chair seat or rising up the seat back during use, if the installation straps loosen. In one embodiment, the optional removable strap connects to buckles 117 and 118, connected to the first and second horizontal installation straps respectively. The optional removable strap is configured to wrap around a stern 204 of the office chair.
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or system acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
Claims
1. An apparatus for improving sitting posture comprising:
- a back support member having a top portion and a bottom portion;
- a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap attached to the top surface of the back support member;
- a first adjustable harness and a second adjustable harness positioned along the first and second shoulder straps respectively; and,
- a plurality of installation straps configured to secure the apparatus o a chair.
2. The apparatus for improving sitting posture of claim 1, wherein the back support member is constructed from a foam cushion having a contoured shape including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion providing lumbar support.
3. The apparatus for improving sitting posture of claim 2, wherein the foam cushion is covered with a fabric cover.
4. The apparatus for improving sitting posture of claim 1, wherein the first and second adjustable harness each includes an elastic section.
5. The apparatus for improving sitting posture of claim 1, wherein the plurality of installation straps comprise a first horizontal installation strap, a second horizontal installation strap, and a vertical installation strap, wherein the first and second installation straps are configured to be secured around a base section of a backrest of the chair, and the vertical installation strap is configured to go over the backrest from a top section and connect to the first and second horizontal installation straps for securement.
6. The apparatus for improving sitting posture of claim 1, wherein portion of the back support member abuts a seat of the chair.
7. The apparatus for improving sitting posture of claim 1, further comprising a first quick release connector attached to the first adjustable harness and a second quick release connector attached to the second adjustable harness.
8. A system comprising:
- a chair having a seat, a backrest, and a stem;
- an apparatus configured to improving sitting posture of a user sitting on the seat of the chair, the apparatus comprising: a back support member having a top portion and a bottom portion; a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap attached to the top surface of the back support member; a first adjustable harness and a second adjustable harness positioned along the first and second shoulder straps respectively; and, a plurality of installation straps configured to secure the apparatus to the backrest of the chair, wherein a back of the user rests against the back support member and the first and second shoulder straps are configured to secure a torso of the user such that a neck of the user is prevented from leaning forward more than a predetermined distance.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the back support member is constructed from a foam cushion having a contoured shape including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion providing lumbar support to the back of the user.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first and second adjustable harness each includes an elastic section such the predetermined distance is increased.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of installation straps comprise a first horizontal installation strap, a second horizontal installation strap, and a vertical installation strap, wherein the first and second installation straps are configured to be secured around a base section of the backrest of the chair, and the vertical installation strap is configured to go over the backrest from a top section and connect to the first and second horizontal installation straps for securement
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the bottom portion of the back support member abuts the seat of the chair.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a removable strap configured to wrap around the stern of the chair such that the bottom portion of the back support member retains positioned abutting the seat of the chair.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the chair is an office chair,
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the chair includes a pair of arm rests.
16. The system of claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first quick release connector attached to the first adjustable harness and a second quick release connector attached to the second adjustable harness, the first and second quick release connectors enabling the user to be free of securement and exit the apparatus.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 28, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 3, 2019
Inventor: Shirley Tan (San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 15/938,243