Lumbar reinforcement device

• US 6,560,800 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew Draves
• Original Assignee: Andrew Draves
• Inventors: Draves, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONLEY, FREDRICK C
• Application Number:
  US09/677,818
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 563/2, 563/0, 563/3, 542/4, 565/5, 565/7
• US Class Current: 5/630
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/023 Arm supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/027 Back supports, e.g. for sitting in bed

Abstract

A lumbar reinforcement device for supporting the lower back of a contacting human body, including two cushionable structures connectively separated by a center structure, wherein the cushionable structures define inner spaces which hold removable inserts containing a deformably cushionable supporting material, said cushionable structures being deformable upon contact with a human body and which moldably deform to the shape of the contacting human body to provide support thereto.

Claims

1. A lumbar reinforcement device, which comprises:

two cushionable structures connectively separated by a sheet center structure, wherein said cushionable structures include end structures which hold removable inserts, and wherein said cushionable structures are deformable on contact with the human body and moldably deform to the shape of said contacting human body;

wherein each of said cushionable structures define inner spaces which hold removable inserts containing a deformably cushionable supporting material, said cushionable structures having a central portion connected to said center structure and end portions thereof beneath and above said central portion, including an opening in an end portion of each cushionable structure for receiving said inserts; and

wherein the device partly envelops and supports a human body when the human body is disposed on its side between said cushionable structures, with an individual positioned on the center structure between the cushionable structures, the cushionable structures drawn closer to the individual and the cushionable structures engaging the front and lower back of the individual, provided that when said contacting human body is disposed between said cushionable structures and the back of said body engages one of said cushionable structures an upward and lateral support is provided to the back of said contacting human body;

including a sleeve forming said cushionable structures, including means for adjusting said cushionable structures so as to increase or decrease the distance therebetween, wherein said means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the length of said center structure by moving said center structure relative to said sleeve, wherein said means for adjusting the length of the center structure includes an opening in the sleeve for threading the center structure therethrough.

2. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said inserts are pillows.

3. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said pillows are feather pillows.

4. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said inserts are filled with a deformable material selected from the group consisting of air, water, gas and plastic foam.

5. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said end structures are arcuitly shaped.

6. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said cushionable structures mold into the shape of said contacting human body, thereby supporting said contacting human body.

7. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said device provides support for the lower back of said contacting human body.

8. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the length of said center structure by moving at least one end of said center structure relative to said sleeve.

9. A lumber reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said cushionable structures are 28 inches long.

10. A lumbar reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein said cushionable structures extend from the upper back of an individual, across the lower back of an individual, to a point above the top of the legs of an individual.