Passive exercise cushion
First Claim
1. A passive exercise cushion for conditioning the muscles of the spinal support system of the human back comprising inflatable pillow means adapted for yieldably conforming to the contours of the back, support mat means co-acting with the pillow means for providing firmness to the cushion, pressure pouch means positioned between the pillow means and the support mat means, attachment means for securing the pressure pouch means at selected locations with regard to the pillow means, said pillow means including a plurality of longitudinal air chambers, said air chambers being in communication for redistribution of the air therein in response to a back reclining pressure exerted thereon, said air redistribution further being effective for transmitting a forward thrust through interaction with the pressure pouch means whereby bodily equilibrium is maintained by the counter-balancing contraction of the muscles supporting the spinal system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A passive exercise cushion for alleviating and preventing back pain includes a plurality of air inflatable component members encased within a fabric covering. The covering includes a strap member for securement to a backrest of a chair. A pillow member within the casing is positioned in confronting relationship for cradling the back when sitting in the chair. A support mat within the casing provides cushion firmness. A pouch placed between the pillow member and the support mat is adjustably positionable at preselected areas, the locus of which extends between the lower limit of the scapula and the fourth lumbar vertebrae of the back. The volume of air within the pouch is controlled so that when the reclining back assumes a comfortable position in the chair, a forwardly directed force is exerted by the pouch. Bodily equilibrium is passively maintained by counterbalancing contraction of the muscles supporting the spinal system and thus provide a strengthened and conditioning action.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A passive exercise cushion for conditioning the muscles of the spinal support system of the human back comprising inflatable pillow means adapted for yieldably conforming to the contours of the back, support mat means co-acting with the pillow means for providing firmness to the cushion, pressure pouch means positioned between the pillow means and the support mat means, attachment means for securing the pressure pouch means at selected locations with regard to the pillow means, said pillow means including a plurality of longitudinal air chambers, said air chambers being in communication for redistribution of the air therein in response to a back reclining pressure exerted thereon, said air redistribution further being effective for transmitting a forward thrust through interaction with the pressure pouch means whereby bodily equilibrium is maintained by the counter-balancing contraction of the muscles supporting the spinal system.
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10. A method for strengthening abdominal muscle groups within the human body comprising the following steps:
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providing an air inflatable pillow for cradling the human back; maintaining the desired firmness of the air pillow by contiguous placement of an air inflatable support mat; positioning a pressure pouch between the pillow and the support mat; controlling the volume of air within the pressure pouch; reclining the back against the air cushion and, concomitantly redistributing the air within the pillow for interaction with the pressure pouch whereby a forwardly direct thrust is applied through the pillow and against the back; and exerting a counterbalancing muscular force to maintain bodily equilibrium.
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- 11. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the forward thrust is applied at a location between the lower limits of the scapula and the fourth lumbar vertebrae.
Specification