Postural awareness apparatus

• US 6,648,838 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2000
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lee Brandon
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth M. Wojciechowski, Lee Brandon, Michael M. Gerardi
• Inventors: Gerardi, Michael M., Brandon, Lee, Wojciechowski, Elizabeth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US09/553,564
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 482/142, 482/148, 128/845, 600/587, 600/594, 297/284.1, 297/284.7, 340/573.1, 340/573.7, 601/49, 601/56-60, 562/1, 563/0, 563/6-6-8, 564/0, 592/2, 594/0
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4561 Evaluating static posture, e.g. undesirable back curvature A61B5/1116 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/704 Tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1091 Cushions, seats or abduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/806 movable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems

Abstract

A postural awareness apparatus includes a pad, signal means for producing a signal, detection means for determining a weight applied to the pad and activating the signal means when the weight exceeds a predetermined weight, means for producing an output when the detection means determines the weight, and means for recording the output.

Claims

1. An apparatus for teaching neutral spine comprising

a) a pad,

b) signal means for producing a signal,

c) detection means for determining the position of at least a portion of a back of a user with respect to said pad,

d) means for producing an output when said detection means determines that said portion of said back is in a preselected position with respect to said pad, and

e) means for recording said output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

f) a processor in communication with said means (d) to receive said output, and

g) an output device in communication with said processor (e).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detection means c) is a weight sensor that detects a weight applied to said pad and activates said signal means when said weight exceeds a predetermined weight, whereby said weight applied to said pad provides an indication of the position of said portion of said back with respect to said pad.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detection means c) is a heat sensor that is activated when said sensor detects a temperature produced by contact with said portion of said back that exceeds a predetermined temperature.

5. A postural awareness apparatus comprising

a) a pad,

b) signal means for producing a signal,

c) detection means for detecting a weight applied to said pad and activating said signal means when said weight exceeds a predetermined weight, and

d) sensor means for determining at least one physiological state of a user and producing an output indicative of said state.

6. The postural awareness apparatus of claim 5 wherein said physiological state is selected from the group consisting of heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and temperature.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said signal means produces a signal selected from the group consisting of a vibratory signal, an auditory signal and a visible signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said signal means comprises at least one vibrator unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a head rest affixed to said pad.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said head rest comprises at least one vibrator unit disposed within said head rest.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for activating said at least one vibrator unit disposed within said head rest independent of said detection means.

12. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said detection means comprises a pressure sensor and an electronic circuit which generates an output when pressure measured by said pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined pressure.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said head rest comprises second detector means for detecting a weight applied to said head rest and second signal means, said second detector means activating said second signal means when said weight is below a predetermined weight.

14. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said detection means comprises means for measuring said weight.

15. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for recording said output indicative of said state.