Back support pillow system

• US 6,132,004 A
• Filed: 11/13/1998
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Carlino
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Carlino
• Inventors: Carlino, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US09/191,709
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.5, 297/284.1, 297/284.7, 297/452.33, 297/452.48, 5/632, 5/630
• US Class Current: 297/452.48
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/425 Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs

Abstract

A system having three separate pillows with a primary spinal pillow that sits vertically against the back portion of a chair. This spinal pillow has a characteristic curve that extends laterally across the pillow such that the apex of the curve runs vertically through the center of the pillow. Two other pillows, the thoracic and lumbar pillows fit between the spinal pillow and the back portion of the chair at an adjustable height to suit the user. These pillows enhance overall posture control during sitting by encouraging users to center themselves on the spinal pillow. Enhanced control of the muscles, joints and ligaments provides a more comfortable and correct sitting posture that decreases spinal stresses that can cause pain and discomfort. Alternatively the spinal pillow may be used by itself.

Claims

1. A back supporting spinal pillow for a chair having a chair seat and a chair back portion, said pillow comprising:

a flat top surface and two side surfaces;

a bottom surface for resting against a chair seat;

a flat back surface for resting against a chair back portion; and

a front surface having an upright middle portion and being contoured such that a curve extends across said front surface, said curve having an apex extending substantially vertically along said middle portion along substantially the entire vertical extent of said front surface to encourage users to center the user spine on said pillow and to increase user support and comfort such that the spinal pillow is thickest at said middle portion and tapers toward either side of the pillow, wherein the pillow begins to thicken again at either side of the pillow.

2. A back support system for a chair having a chair seat portion and a chair back portion, said system comprising:

a vertical spinal pillow extending upwardly from the seat portion of a chair;

said spinal pillow having a middle portion, a flat top, bottom and two side surfaces and having a flat back surface for resting against the back portion of a chair, and also having a front surface contoured such that a curve extends across said front surface, said curve having an apex extending substantially vertically along said middle portion such that the spinal pillow is thickest at said middle portion and tapers toward either side of the pillow, wherein the pillow begins to thicken again at either side of the pillow;

a thoracic wedge pillow constructed for use between the back portion of a chair and the vertical spinal pillow, said thoracic pillow having two flat triangular surfaces and three flat rectangular surfaces attached thereto, wherein said rectangular surfaces are of a similar width as the vertical spinal pillow; and

a lumbar wedge pillow constructed for use between the back portion of a chair and the vertical spinal pillow, said lumbar wedge pillow having a flat rectangular back surface, and having two semicircular surfaces attached to opposite sides of the flat rectangular back surface and a curved surface connecting the two semicircular surfaces with the flat rectangular back surface.

3. The back support system of claim 2 wherein said spinal pillow, said lumbar wedge pillow and said thoracic wedge pillow are constructed from foam rubber and covered with a fitted fabric material.

4. The back support system of claim 3 wherein said spinal pillow, said lumbar wedge pillow and said thoracic wedge pillow are constructed from a foam rubber material having certain memory characteristics such that said spinal pillow, said lumbar wedge pillow and said thoracic wedge pillow specifically accommodate the user'"'"'s body.

5. The back support system of claim 4 wherein the fitted fabric material covering the pillows is removable.