Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – Simultaneous support for multiple body portions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-24
2001-10-09
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
Simultaneous support for multiple body portions
C005S648000, C005S653000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298508
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cushion furniture, more specifically it relates to a type of furniture to support the occupant in a combined kneeling and sitting position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
For a bad lower back strain or a sensitive lower spine, it may become painful to remain seated for quite some time. This is especially true when working with computers. The long hours accumulated over the years may have added to this aggravation so more hours sitting may worsen this condition. However, we become so dependent upon our routine and the work must go on. To relieve this strain, we relieve the total weight-hours of sitting.
There is therefore a need to provide a light-weight and convenient article in which the occupant can optimally work in a kneeling position to take the body weight pressures off the spine. This is especially true in the most commonly experienced position, working before a computer stand, desk or table. There should also be breaks from this extensive kneeling position by some sitting or better yet, standing and working with a computer stand.
The closest patent prior art of which the applicant is aware includes the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,071, issued to Richards, entitled “Knee Pads”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,444, issued to Suits, entitled “Convertible Furniture Apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,549, issued to Morrell et al., entitled “Cushion Ensemble And Method Of Arranging Cushions To Provide The Same”; Patent No. 4,518,203, issued to White, entitled “Convertible Cushion Furniture”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,526, issued to Lillard, entitled “Combination Chair And Chaise Lounge”. However, none of these examples provide the simplicity and economical use of an item of furniture constructed only of cushions which provides the user with a comfortable kneeling/sitting position. In addition, the present invention provides a chair which is also both light-weight, portable, and rugged. There is therefore a need in the art for a device which meets these requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to meet the objectives described above, the present invention, a two-piece cushion article of furniture, has been devised which supports the occupant in a combined kneeling and sitting position. It is particularly suitable for people who spend a great deal of time before a computer and for those who have weak backs, but strong or normal knees. It also affords a comfortable computer working position and a pleasant change in the work environment.
The cushions of the present invention are specially constructed in order to support specific parts of the occupant's body. A bottom solid wedge base composed of firm spongy foam includes a cut-out leg groove lined with 3 layers of varying foam density. These layers are covered with a cloth which is attached to the base by hook and loop-type fastening means, such as Velcro®-type straps. A person kneels into this cut-out for a knee-shin-ankle body weight support on this composite cushion and sinks 1″ to 2″ into this groove depending upon body weight. The feet dangle over the higher end (back) towards the floor and are higher than the lower knees (front).
The upper, but smaller wedge support, is to support more body weight by being placed in the back of the knee joints extending beyond the buttocks. Thus, the back of the upper legs and the buttocks support the remaining body weight. This upper wedge is held in place from sliding back by being pinched in place between the upper and lower legs when kneeling. It may also be held in place by Velcro®-type straps connecting the upper and lower wedge cushions. With the large sitting angle and low kneeling angle provided by the invention, most of the body weight is transferred from the base of the spine to the front of the legs, knees and back of the upper legs and some of the buttocks, thus, relieving most of the pressure from the tip of the spine and the lower back. This allows one to work at a table, arms level with the chest, such as operating a computer keyboard.
More specifically, the Applicant has devised a cushion kneeler for supporting a human body in a combined kneeling and sitting position comprising two separable cushions. The lower cushion is wedged shaped, slopping downward at the front, said lower base cushion having a bottom side resting on a support surface. The upper cushion is also wedged shaped, having the top and bottom sides convergent at the front. Upwardly extending portions are located at the sides of said lower cushion, said side extensions including first attachment means located along a top surface thereof; and a second attachment means cooperative with said first attachment means, said second attachment means located along the sides of a bottom surface of said upper cushion whereby in use the upper and lower cushions are attached and said upper cushion is located behind and supporting the buttocks of the body while the lower cushion supports the knees and lower legs of the body. The first and second attachment means are hook and loop-type fasteners in a plurality of layers of cushion material, each of different compressibility, varies from hard to soft in the direction of the body of the user. The layering of a cushion material of varying compressibility is also applied to the upper cushion.
It is therefore the main object of the present invention to create a cushion chair which is light-weight and portable and which supports a human body in a way to reduce stress on the spine. It is a further object of the present invention to create a cushion chair which is durable and comfortable. The present invention could be the most comfortable computer working position to date for those that have weak backs but strong or normal knees. It also affords a comfortable computer working position and evan a pleasant change for healthy people without back strain. Further advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those of skill in the art from the following drawings and description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3863978 (1975-02-01), Gillings
patent: 5865507 (1999-02-01), Earl
patent: 5882081 (1999-03-01), Earl
Browne Lynne H.
Conley Fredrick
Gore Gregory J.
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