VERTEBRAL COLUMN SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20080150337A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B&B Innovators, LLC
• Original Assignee: B&B Innovators, LLC
• Inventors: Bilak, Mark R., Bilak, Ronald E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,703,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/230.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/462 adjustable by mechanical means

Abstract

The methods and apparatus taught herein provide an elongated spine support member integrated into or attached to a chair for providing improved back support. According to one embodiment of a chair, the chair comprises a seat, back and elongated spine support member. The back includes inner and outer sections. The inner section is spaced inwardly from opposite sides of the back and extends generally vertically through a substantial portion of the height of the back. The outer section extends along opposite sides of the inner section. The elongated spine support member is generally vertically extending and forms a part of the inner section of the back. The elongated spine support member is configured to engage and support at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column of a person seated in the chair.

Claims

1. A chair, comprising:

a seat;

a back including inner and outer sections, the inner section spaced inwardly from opposite sides of the back and extending generally vertically through a substantial portion of the height of the back, and the outer section extending along opposite sides of the inner section; and

a generally vertically extending elongated spine support member forming a part of the inner section of the back and configured to engage and support at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column of a person seated in the chair.

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member is integrated into the back.

3. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member is attached to the back.

4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member comprises a region protruding outwardly from the back toward a seating region of the chair.

5. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member is configured to move in an axial direction corresponding to a force applied by the vertebral column to the spine support member.

6. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member includes a surface having a width substantially equal to a width of the vertebral column.

7. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member includes a generally curved surface configured to receive at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column.

8. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member is configured to conform to a curvature of at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column vertebral.

9. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member comprises at least one of viscoelastic foam and a chamber at least partially filled with a substance.

10. The chair of claim 9, wherein the chamber is configured to displace the substance responsive to a force applied by the vertebral column to the spine support member.

11. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member is segmented into a plurality of sections.

12. The chair of claim 1, further comprising a guide attached to the back, the guide at least partially housing a moveable member configured to impart an adjustable curvature on the spine support member.

13. The chair of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer sections of the back are continuous.

14. The chair of claim 1, wherein the spine support member comprises one or more devices configured to cycle between heat generation and cold generation.

15. A method of supporting the vertebral column of a person seated in a chair, comprising:

positioning the back of the person against a back of the chair, the chair back including inner and outer sections, the inner section spaced inwardly from opposite sides of the chair back and extending generally vertically through a substantial portion of the height of the chair back, and the outer section extending along opposite sides of the inner section;

engaging at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column with a generally vertically extending elongated spine support member that forms part of the inner section of the chair back; and

generally conforming the spine support member to the engaged regions of the vertebral column while the person is seated in the chair.

16. A portable back support, comprising:

a back including inner and outer sections, the inner section spaced inwardly from opposite sides of the back and extending generally vertically through a substantial portion of the height of the back, and the outer section extending along opposite sides of the inner section; and

a generally vertically extending elongated spine support member forming a part of the inner section of the back and configured to engage and support at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column of a person seated against the portable back support.

17. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member includes a region protruding outwardly from the back.

18. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member includes a surface having a width substantially equal to a width of the vertebral column.

19. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member includes a generally curved surface configured to receive at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column.

20. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member is configured to conform to a curvature of at least two of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column.

21. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member comprises at least one of viscoelastic foam and a chamber at least partially filled with a substance.

22. The portable back support of claim 21, wherein the chamber is configured to displace the substance responsive to a force applied by the vertebral column to the spine support member.

23. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member is segmented into a plurality of sections.

24. The portable back support of claim 16, wherein the spine support member comprises one or more devices configured to cycle between heat generation and cold generation.