Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – Simultaneous support for multiple body portions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-20
2002-04-23
Santos, Robert G (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
Simultaneous support for multiple body portions
C005S426000, C005S503100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06374440
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to physical therapeutic devices, and more specifically to a back support providing a generally vertical panel against which a person may rest his or her back. The panel includes an upholstered area with provision for warm or cold packs and angled legs which may be placed beneath the mattress of a bed to support the panel properly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Back pain and stress are recurring problems for many people, and it can prove difficult to find appliances which are capable of relieving such pain and stress. Most back problems are relatively minor in nature (strained muscles, etc.), and do not warrant intensive care or costly medical assistance. Nevertheless, the pain and suffering from such minor back problems is just as real, and perhaps just as painful, as more serious problems.
Accordingly, various devices have been developed in the past, with most being directed to support from beneath a person resting thereon. A few devices have been developed for persons resting in some other position, but most have not proven completely satisfactory for various reasons (lack of provision for hot or cold packs, etc.). It is well established that many, if not most, people prefer to rest or sleep on their sides, rather than lying supine upon their backs. It can be quite difficult to provide the desired support and/or warmth or cooling desired for a person with a back problem who is resting on his or her side, particularly with most existing therapeutic devices.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a therapeutic back support for applying therapeutic pressure, warmth, and/or cold to the back of a person resting upon his or her side. The device includes anchor means comprising a pair of angled legs which extend between the mattress and box spring of the bed to provide secure anchoring for the generally vertical back support panel. The panel includes a rigid panel or sheet, to which an upholstered pad is removably attached. The pad preferably includes a plurality of pockets or pouches in which heating or cool packs may be provided as desired. Additional storage may be included with the device for storing small articles (liniment, etc.) as desired. A padded cover may be provided for additional comfort and storage of the device.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,156,125 issued on Oct. 12, 1915 to Mattie E. Ahlborn, titled “Head And Back Rest,” describes a flexible panel supported on three sides by a rigid frame. The frame includes a pair of lower supports which rest atop the mattress or sheets of the bed, and a pair of upper supports extending from the upper crossmember of the frame, which hook over the top rail of the headframe of the bed. The device is thus disposed at an angle, from the top of the headframe downwardly to the mattress at some distance from the headframe. Ahlborn does not provide any means of cantilever support for holding his support vertically along one edge of the bed, nor any means of holding warm or cold packs, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,880 issued on Dec. 29, 1953 to James W. Meeks, titled “Collapsible Back Rest,” describes an adjustable frame with a flexible sheet thereover. The frame rests atop the mattress of a bed and against the headframe or headboard of the bed, to support the flexible sheet at some adjustable angle between the horizontal and the vertical. As in the case of the Ahlborn device discussed above, Meeks does not provide any means of cantilever attachment to the bed for a vertical support surface, nor any means of holding a hot or cold pack or the like, both of which features are provided by the present back support invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,709,817 issued on Jun. 7, 1955 to Charles E. Poyer, titled “Back Rest For Convertible Couch Beds,” describes a rack supported on the floor behind a convertible couch, with the couch having a standard bed width. The Poyer rack includes a frame for holding the cushions away from the wall behind the convertible couch, for providing the proper width to the convertible couch when used as a couch. The device folds against the wall when the couch is converted to a bed. Poyer does not provide any specific upholstered back support, other than the cushions of the couch itself, and does not provide for holding a heat or cold pack, as provided by the present invention. The Poyer device is not supported by the couch itself, but rests on the floor, whereas the present support is cantilevered from the bed. Moreover, the Poyer frame does not provide vertical support for the cushions, whereas the present back support comprises a generally vertical panel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,289 issued on Apr. 21, 1964 to Lawrence Katzman et al., titled “Collapsible Heating Pad For Travelling,” describes an electrically powered heating pad which is adaptable for 110 or 220 volt power. While the present invention might make use of an electrical heating pad, it is better adapted for other types of heating and cooling packs not requiring electrical energy, or at least not requiring an electrical cord, as does the Katzman et al. pad. Katzman does not describe any form of back rest or support, as provided by the present back support invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,409 issued on Sep. 24, 1968 to Arthur F. Kain, titled “Child Guard,” describes a device formed of two flat panels. The first panel is adapted for positioning between the mattress and box spring of a bed, and includes a series of slots along the outer edge thereof. The second panel includes a series of tongues or extensions for removably installing in the slots of the first panel. When the first panel is disposed horizontally between the mattress and box spring, the second panel extends generally vertically upwardly therefrom. However, the second panel will not remain normal to the first panel, as the slots will allow some arcuate play of the second panel relative to the first panel. The present invention provides a rigid, tubular frame which holds the upper panel in a fixed relationship to the lower portion which extends between mattress and box spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,965 issued on Mar. 20, 1973 to Harry W. Wright, titled “Back Support,” describes a device having an inclined upper portion adapted to rest against the headboard of a bed, with a lower flange for placing between the headboard and upper mattress. The upper portion is not substantially vertical to the mattress, nor does it include any form of padding or cushioning, as provided by the present back support. Moreover, the Wright device cannot be retained along a lateral edge of a bed, as Wright must rely upon some other closely adjacent bed structure (i.e., headboard) to prevent his support from sliding from the bed, unlike the present invention with its lower frame portion which is adapted for removable insertion between mattress and box spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,968 issued on Apr. 30, 1974 to Edward Robey, titled “Orthopaedic Back Support Appliance,” describes a device having a relatively large radius upper portion with a screw jack therebeneath. The device is inserted between mattress and box spring, and the screw jack adjusted to provide the desired lift. The device provides lumbar support for a person resting on the mattress, or can provide support for the side of the torso between rib cage and hip for a person lying on his or her side. However, Robey does not provide any upwardly extending, generally vertical panel for providing lateral support for a person resting in a bed, as provided by the present back support invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,031 issued on Sep. 21, 1976 to Louis L. Schacht, titled “Inclined Bedrest,” describes a device having a plate for placing between mattress and box spring, with a storage area extending upwardly therefrom for holding the bedrest frame. The frame extends from the storage area and is locked into place by a pair of ar
Litman Richard C.
Santos Robert G
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