Contoured body cushion

• US 5,054,142 A
• Filed: 04/04/1990
• Issued: 10/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas P. Owens
• Original Assignee: Thomas P. Owens
• Inventors: Owens, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Gary L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILANO, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US07/504,705
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 5/431, 5/432, 5/436, 5/437, 5/440, 5/462, 5/464, 5/465, 5/435, 5/443
• US Class Current: 5/633
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 17/04 Seating furniture, e.g. sofas, couches, settees, or the like, with movable parts changeable to beds; Chair beds
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 17/045 Seating furniture having loose or by fabric hinge connected cushions changeable to beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device

Abstract

A portable multi-component contoured body cushion for supporting at least portions of a body includes a head member configured and dimensioned for supporting the head portion, a chest member configured and dimensioned for supporting the chest portion, and an abdomen member configured and dimensioned for supporting the abdomen. If desired, an ankle bolster configured and dimensioned for supporting the lower leg and ankle portions is also provided. The chest member is formed of a plurality of preformed sheets of uniform thickness configured so as to provide recesses to accommodate the breasts and abdomen of the body and to provide supports at least for the sternum and collar portions. The abdomen member is formed of a plurality of preformed sheets of uniform thickness positioned one atop the other. This abdomen member is also configured so as to provide support for the pelvic region so as to generally straighten the lumbar spinal curve. The individual members are freely movable independent of each other so as to be portable and capable of selective relative positioning so as to accommodate the configuration of the body. Preferably, the individual members are enclosed in vinyl.

Claims

1. Apparatus for supporting at least portions of a body comprising:

a. first member configured and dimensioned for supporting the heat portion;

b. second member configured and dimensioned for supporting the chest portion, said second member formed of a plurality of preformed sheets positioned one atop the other of generally decreasing area from said lowermost sheet to said uppermost sheet, at least the two upper of said sheets having respectively progressive arcuate cut-out portions which combine to provide generally stepped recesses to support and accommodate the breasts, said sheets further defining arcuate cut-out portions to provide a recess which supports and accommodates at least a part of the abdomen of the body while the remaining portions of said sheets are configured and dimensioned to provide support at least for the sternum and collar portions;

aid recesses being generally formed by a generally t-shaped portion attached to two generally rectangular portions in each of said two upper sheets, at least a portion of aid second member being at a higher elevation than at least a portion of said first member so as to provide at least for anterior cervical flexion;

c. third member formed of a plurality of preformed sheets positioned one atop the other of generally decreasing area from said lowermost sheet to said uppermost sheet, at least the two upper of said sheets having arcuate cut-out portions which combine to provide a recess to support and accommodate at least a part of the abdomen of the body while the remaining portions of said sheets are configured and respectively progressively dimensioned to provide support for the pelvic region in a manner to generally straighten the lumbar spinal curve;

d. fourth member configured and dimensioned for supporting the lower leg and ankle portions; and

e. said members being freely movable independent of each other so as to be portable and capable of selective relative positioning so as to accommodate the configuration of the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first member is formed of a generally flat board and a plurality of foam blocks positioned on top of said board in a generally circular pattern so as to provide supporting surfaces at least at the forehead and the side facial portions of the head portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said foam blocks have a generally U-shaped configuration in the plan view.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising first separable engagement means positioned on at least one surface of each of said foam blocks and on one surface of said board so as to permit selective positioning of said foam blocks on said board.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each foam block is enclosed in vinyl.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second member is formed of three foam sheets positioned one on top of the other.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein one of said foam sheets is a base sheet having a generally rectangular configuration.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including an intermediate foam sheet positioned between said base sheet and said remaining sheets.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said base sheet has at least two corners generally curved.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the corners of said rectangular portion adjacent to said t-shaped portion are generally curved.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said foam sheets are enclosed in vinyl.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third member is formed of at least five foam sheets positioned one on top of the other.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein one of said sheets is a base sheet having a generally rectangular configuration.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second sheet is positioned on top of said base sheet and is generally of a U-shaped configuration.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said third sheet is positioned on top of said second sheet and has a configuration generally congruous to that of said second sheet but has a width which is less than that of said second sheet.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second and third sheets each define a recess between the arms of said U-shaped configuration so as to accommodate the abdomen.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said fourth sheet consists of two separate L-shaped configurations positioned on top of the arms of said third sheet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said fifth sheet is formed of two separate generally rectangular blocks positioned on said fourth sheet.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said plurality of sheets of said third member are enclosed in vinyl.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth member is formed of a generally rectangular foam block having a generally flat surface for supporting the lower leg and ankle portions.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said generally rectangular foam block has at least one shaved edge so as to provide support for the lower leg and ankle portions.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said generally rectangular foam block is enclosed in vinyl.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first member is coupled to said second member by second engagement means to permit selective relative positioning of said first and said second members and wherein a t-portion of said second member is provided closest to said first member.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said second separable engagement means comprises at least one strap separably coupled to said first and said second members.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second member is coupled to said third member by third separable engagement means to permit selective relative positioning of said second and said third members and wherein said recesses for the abdomen in said second and third members face each other.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said third separable engagement means comprises at least one strap separably coupled to said second and said third members.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each sheet is of a predetermined and uniform thickness.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bag dimensioned and configured for containing said first, second, third and fourth members therein.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a two segment treatment table wherein said segments are not co-planar.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said second member and said third member are positioned on one of said table segments and said fourth member is positioned on said other segment.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said one segment is angularly elevated relative to said other segment.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said table includes adjustable legs.

33. Apparatus for supporting at least portions of a body comprising:

a. first means configured and dimensioned for supporting the head portion;

b. second means configured and dimensioned for supporting the chest portion, said second means being formed of a plurality of preformed sheets positioned one atop the other of generally decreasing area from said lowermost sheet to said uppermost sheet, at least two upper of said sheets having spaced apart progressively dimensioned arcuate cut-out portions which combine to provide generally stepped recessed configured and structured to support and accommodate the breasts while the remaining portions of said sheets are configured and dimensioned to provide transitional phase support for the adjacent body portions, said sheets further defining centrally located arcuate cut-out portions to provide a recess which supports and accommodates the abdomen of the body, the remaining portions of said sheets providing support at least for the sternum and collar portions, said recesses being generally formed by a generally t-shaped portion attached to two generally rectangular portions in each of said two upper sheets, at least a portion of said second member being at a higher elevation than at least a portion of said first member so as to provide at least for anterior cervical flexion;

c. third means configured and dimensioned for supporting the abdomen, said third means being formed of a plurality of preformed sheets positioned one atop the other of generally decreasing area from said lowermost sheet to said uppermost sheet, at least the two upper of said sheets defining arcuate cut-out portions which combine to provide a recess to support and accommodate at least a part of the abdomen of the body while the remaining portions of said sheets are respectively progressively dimensioned and configured as successive steps so as to provide support for the pelvic region so as to generally straighten the lumbar spinal curve; and

d. said first, second and third means being freely movable independent of each other so as to be portable and capable of selective relative positioning so as to accommodate the configuration of the body.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said first means is formed of a generally flat board and a plurality of congruous vinyl enclosed foam blocks positioned on top of said board so as to provide supporting surfaces at least at the forehead and the side facial portions of the head portion.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising first separable engagement means positioned on at least one surface of each of said vinyl enclosed foam blocks and on one surface of said board so as to permit selective positioning of said foam blocks on said board.

36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said second means is formed of four foam sheets of a predetermined and uniform thickness positioned one on top of the other and enclosed in vinyl.

37. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said third means is formed of at least five foam sheets of a predetermined and uniform thickness positioned one on top of the other and enclosed in vinyl.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein one of said sheets is a base sheet having a generally rectangular configuration.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said second sheet is positioned on top of said base sheet and is generally of a U-shaped configuration.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said third sheet is positioned on top of said second sheet . and has a configuration generally congruous to that of said second sheet but has a width which is less than that of said second sheet.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said second and third sheets each define a recess between the arms of said U-shaped configuration so as to accommodate the abdomen.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said fourth sheet consists of two separate L-shaped configurations positioned on top of the arms of said third sheet.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said fifth sheet is formed of two separate generally rectangular blocks positioned on said fourth sheet.

44. Apparatus for supporting at least portions of a body comprising:

a. first means configured and dimensioned for supporting the head portion;

b. second means configured and dimensioned for supporting the chest portion in a manner which provides relatively firm support under the structural bone body portions while facilitating transitional cushioned and contoured support for the softer body portions adjacent said bone portions, said second support means being formed of a plurality of preformed sheets positioned and relatively attached one atop the other of generally decreasing area from said lowermost sheet to said uppermost sheet, and in face-to-face relation and progressively dimensioned and configured to include selectively positioned arcuate cut-out portions which combine to provide generally stepped recessed to provide contoured cushioned transitional phase support to accommodate the breast portion and a recess to support and accommodate at least a portion of the abdomen of the body and support at least for the sternum and collar portions, said recesses being generally formed by a generally t-shaped portion attached to two generally rectangular portions in each of said two upper sheets, at least a portion of said second member being at a higher elevation than at least a portion of said first member so as to provide at least for anterior cervical flexion;

c. third means configured and dimensioned for supporting the remaining portion of the abdomen, said third member being formed of a plurality of preformed sheets positioned one atop the other of generally decreasing area from said lowermost sheet to said uppermost sheet, and in face-to-face relation and relatively attached, said sheets having progressively selectively positioned stepped configurations which are dimensioned and configured to provide a recess to support for the pelvic region so as to generally straighten the lumbar spinal curve while defining a generally centrally located generally arcuate cut-out portion to accommodate at least a portion of the abdomen of the body; and

d. said first, second and third means being freely movable independent of each other so as to be portable and capable of selective relative positioning so as to accommodate the configuration of the body.