Beds – Support for users body or part thereof – Removable support specially adapted for seating
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-21
2003-06-24
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3673)
Beds
Support for users body or part thereof
Removable support specially adapted for seating
C005S653000, C005S925000, C005S944000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581227
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hollow body for use as a seat or sitting support. Particularly, the present invention relates preferably to a hollow body having an especially designed sitting area.
BACKGROUND
Usually, seats have a flat sitting area which is elastically distorted by the load due to the weight of a person. Thereby, the sitting area adaptingly fits to the parts of the body being in contact therewith. Commonly, these are body parts of the backside, parts of the thigh and the pelvis bottom. The pressure resulting from the body weight is received by the resting parts of the body and leads to compressions and distortions thereof. A pressure load of the resting parts of the backside and of the thigh are received by their muscles, which can durably stand this load without any problems. It is a different situation, however, in case of diseases of the prostate or also in the presence of haemorrhoids. Pressure loads in the area of the pelvis bottom are passed on to the internally placed prostrate and thereby can result in undesired additional irritations. Centrally located pressure loads of the pelvis bottom can also take effect on the haemorrhoids and result also in an undesired irritation or pain.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Therefore, it is an object of the preferred embodiments to provide a hollow body for the use as a seat or seat support having a design which at least reduces the pressure loads affecting the pelvis bottom, wherein the pressure load is distributed among and concentrated onto parts of the body which have higher physical resilience. The seat shall further provide a stable sitting area support for users.
The hollow body according to the preferred embodiments has at least two sectional portions destined for receiving parts of the backside of the user, by which a total support is achieved. Between the portions there is formed a deepening or recess relative to the height of the sitting area or even a through hole or through-cut, respectively, which as it is depressed prevents the contact with the aforementioned parts of the body to be taken care of. Between the portions there is a connecting web which ensure the joining of the portions.
The connecting web may be designed arbitrarily, preferably in one-piece or integrated with the portions. It may be fitted such that overall a U-like shaped, horseshoe-like shaped, ring-like shaped, tire-like shaped structure and sitting area is formed, in which adjoining integral parts form the portions and the connecting web. With that, both legs of the horseshoe or U-like shape form the portions, whereas the bent intermediate part between the legs forms the connecting web. In case of a tire-like shape both the portions and the connecting web are shaped in a bent way.
Preferably, the deepening, recess or through hole or through-cut are opened outwardly, respectively, since the corresponding parts of the body, e.g. the prostate are also arranged outside. This results in a pelvis-like recess or deepening or hole, respectively, which is accessible from outside or which is opened outwardly, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Preferably, the skin of the hollow body is at least partially made of a thermoplastic polymer, e.g. PE, HD-PE, ABS, PA, PVC or PES, preferably treated with plasticizer and the common additives.
Preferably, the middle axes of the portions form an angle with each other, but alternatively may also be parallel. The shape of the portions is flat and rounded or straightened at its periphery, but otherwise arbitrary.
Preferably, the sitting area of the hollow body is U-like shaped, horseshoe-like shaped, ring-like shaped or tire-like shaped (with interruption). The e.g. U-like shaped sitting area ensures that the pelvis bottom of the user, who may come centrally into contact with a seat, is effected by less or by no pressure load. The legs of the sitting area support the thighs of a seating person, whereas parts of the backside are arranged over a centrally cut out area (deepening or recess) of the e.g. U-like shaped sitting area. The resilience of the hollow body results in an ergonomic fitting of the sitting area to the anatomy of the resting parts of the body.
More preferably, the hollow body fits to the anatomy of the parts of the body resting on the sitting area. Further, the hollow body may provide dynamical seating characteristics in combination with the resilient and elastic properties and can in that way reduce at the same time tensions, pain states and nerval irritations in the area of the lumbar and dorsal vertebra and support the curing thereof.
Further, the hollow body according to the preferred embodiments is suitable for causing the user to move the dorsal vertebra in a compensating way, which increases the well-being and comfort during long persisting duration of seating and prevents effectively a tiredness.
Further, the deepening intended for the hollow body according to the preferred embodiments may be arranged between the legs of the U-like shaped, horseshoe-like shaped or tire-like shaped sitting area, respectively. This deepening shall be of sufficient depth in order to guarantee a suitable and advantageous relief of pressure of the pelvis bottom.
Alternatively, instead of the deepening the hollow body may have a recess or hole between the legs of the U-like shaped sitting area. The recess provides a continuous deepening of the height of the hollow body. In case of sufficient depth of the deepening or sufficient height of the hollow body, respectively, no pressure load will effect the areas of the pelvis bottom free of any sitting area. It results in the desired relief independent of the grade of the elastic distortion of the hollow body by the weight of the sitting person. The deepening or the recess is extended preferably over the complete spacious interior, respectively, comprised by the sitting area.
In a preferred embodiment, the hollow body has a supporting area, which e.g. is in contact with the sitting area of a chair arranged below. The supporting area is spaced from the sitting area by a distance. A front area of the sitting area is defined by the opening of the sitting area, i.e. preferably parts of the thighs are resting on the front area. Correspondingly, parts of the backside are resting on the rear area of the sitting area.
The hollow body or the parts, respectively, forming the sitting area taper advantageously in the thickness or size leading off from the rear area towards the front area.
Preferably, the hollow body according to the preferred embodiments has a substantially wedge-shaped profile in a longitudinal section. The outstanding feature of this wedge-shaped profile is substantially uniform tapering of the height of the hollow body. Alternatively, the sitting area and the supporting area may be spaced constantly, i.e. these both areas substantially run parallel in the section.
In a further preferred embodiment the outer outline of the hollow body exhibits a contour in a top view which can partially be fitted to a substantially elliptical or circular circumference. That is, the sitting area of the hollow body may be described as a substantially elliptical or circular sitting area, which has a deepening or recess, respectively, such that an overall U-like shaped or horseshoe-like shaped sitting area is formed.
Advantageously, the substantially elliptical or circular contour may have a diameter in the range of 30 cm to 50 cm.
Further advantageously, the deepening may have substantially a width in the range of 20 mm to 150 mm. Correspondingly, an alternative recess may advantageously also have substantially a width in the range of 20 mm to 150 mm.
The supporting area of the hollow body according to the preferred embodiments, which is in contact with a support, e.g. sitting area of a chair, may have a reinforcement structure of the supporting are in order to offer an additional protection against damage of the supporting area or in order to have a shape stabilizing effect on the U-like shaped sitting area, respectively. The reinforcement of the s
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Gebr. Obemaier OHG
Trettel Michael F.
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