Portable back support for a car seat or other seat

Abstract

A back support including a first substantially planar surface having a plurality of slats joined to a second substantially planar surface at a hinge, and a first connector strap joined to at least two of the slats of the first planar surface. As the support is used by a person in a sitting position, the first substantially planar surface may be a backrest, and the second substantially planar surface may be a seat. In particular, the first connector strap is joined to at least two of the plurality of slats of the backrest in such manner as to allow the plurality of slats to exhibit sufficient rigidity to support to the back of a user of the back support. Thus, the back support of the present invention provides sufficient flexibility for form fitting to comfortably receive a users back, while simultaneously being sufficiently rigid in both the longitudinal and lateral directions to provide back and lumbar support to a user.

1 . A back support comprising: 
 a first substantially planar surface joined to a second substantially planar surface at a hinge, said first substantially planar surface including a plurality of slats; and    a first connector strap joined to at least two of said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface;    wherein said first connector strap is joined to said at least two of said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface to allow said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface to exhibit sufficient rigidity to support to the back of a user of the back support.    
     
     
         2 . The back support of  claim 1 , said second substantially planar surface including a plurality of slats; and further comprising a second connector strap joined to at least two of said plurality of slats of said second substantially planar surface.  
     
     
         3 . The back support of  claim 2  wherein said first substantially planar surface further comprises a backrest, and wherein said second substantially planar surface further comprises a seat.  
     
     
         4 . The back support of  claim 3  wherein said first connector strap is joined to each of said plurality of slats of said backrest.  
     
     
         5 . The back support of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of slats of said backrest are each spaced in a range of about ⅛″ to about ¼″ from an adjoining slat of said plurality of slats of said backrest.  
     
     
         6 . The back support of  claim 3  wherein said first connector strap is formed from plastic selected from polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         7 . The back support of  claim 6  wherein said first connector strap is joined to at least two of said plurality of slats via a fastener selected from screws, nails, and staples.  
     
     
         8 . The back support of  claim 3  having a first position in a general L-shape to allow use by a user, and further having a second position wherein said backrest and said seat are folded about said hinge to confront one another.  
     
     
         9 . The back support of  claim 8  wherein said hinge further provides a handle for use in transporting said back support.  
     
     
         10 . The back support of  claim 3 , each of said plurality of slats of said backrest having a width in a range of about 1½″ to about 2″.  
     
     
         11 . A combination comprising: 
 a chair-like element including a seat portion and a back portion; and    a back support comprising a first substantially planar surface joined to a second substantially planar surface at a hinge, said first substantially planar surface and said second substantially planar surface each including a plurality of slats, a first connector strap joined to at least two of said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface; and a second connector strap joined to at least two of said plurality of slats of said second substantially planar surface, wherein said first connector strap is joined to said at least two of said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface to allow said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface to exhibit sufficient rigidity to support to the back of a user of said back support.    
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein said first substantially planar surface further comprises a backrest, and wherein said second substantially planar surface further comprises a seat.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said back support is positioned relative to said chair-like element such that said seat of said back support confronts said seat portion of said chair-like element, and said backrest of said back support confronts said back portion of said chair-like element.  
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said first connector strap is joined to each of said plurality of slats of said backrest.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of slats of said backrest are each spaced in a range of about ⅛″ to about ¼″ from an adjoining slat of said plurality of slats of said backrest.  
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said first connector strap  20  is formed from plastic selected from polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said first connector strap  20  is joined to at least two of said plurality of slats via a fastener selected from screws, nails, and staples.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 12  having a first position in a general L-shape to allow use by a user, and further having a second position wherein said backrest and said seat are folded about said hinge to confront one another.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18  wherein said hinge further provides a handle for use in transporting said back support.  
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 12 , each of said plurality of slats of said backrest having a width in a range of about 1½″ to about 2″.  
     
     
         21 . A back support comprising: 
 a first substantially planar surface joined to a second substantially planar surface at a hinge, said hinge adapted to allow said first and second substantially planar surfaces to move between an open position, wherein said first and second substantially planar surfaces do not confront one another, and a closed position, wherein said first and second substantially planar surfaces do confront one another;    wherein said first and second substantially planar surfaces are in said closed position, said hinge forms a handle to allow a user to carry the back support.    
     
     
         22 . A back support comprising: 
 a first substantially planar surface joined to a second substantially planar surface at a hinge, said first substantially planar surface including a plurality of slats; and    a first connector strap joined to at least two of said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface;    wherein said first connector strap is joined to said at least two of said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface to allow said plurality of slats of said first substantially planar surface to exhibit rigidity in the lateral direction of the first planar surface.