Spinal tension and pressure relieving body support apparatus

Abstract

A therapeutic support apparatus comprises multiple layers of foam having different densities and memories. The support apparatus comfortably supports the weight of a user while minimizing pressure points between the user and the support apparatus. Each foam layer has a unique density and memory based upon the type of tissue the layer is intended to support. A relatively low-memory outer foam layer made from latex non-viscoelastic foam substantially supports skin and subcutaneous tissue. A relatively high-density and medium-memory intermediate layer made from polyurethane foam supports muscle tissue. A relatively high-density and high-high memory core layer made from polyurethane foam supports the spine. In combination, these layers minimize hyperextension and promote blood circulation and comfort while the support apparatus is used by a user positioned in a supine, recumbent, or sideways-lying position.

1 . A multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a core foam layer having a core density and a core indentation force deflection;   a top outer foam layer having a first outer density and a first outer indentation force deflection;   a first intermediate foam layer intermediate and coextensive with the core layer and the top outer layer and having a first intermediate density and a first intermediate indentation force deflection; and   wherein the core indentation force deflection is greater than the first intermediate indentation force deflection, and the first intermediate indentation force deflection is greater than the first outer indentation force deflection.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the core foam layer comprises polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the core density is between about 2.5 pounds per cubic foot and about 3.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the core indentation force deflection is in the range from about 75 pounds/fifty square inches to about 90 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first intermediate foam layer comprises polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate density is between about 2.5 pounds per cubic foot and about 3.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate foam indentation force deflection is between about 29 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection and about 39 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer foam layer has an indentation force deflection in the range from about 19 pounds/fifty square inches and about 25 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first outer foam layer comprises latex foam. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bottom outer foam layer having a second outer density and second outer indentation force deflection;   a bottom intermediate layer intermediate and coextensive with the core layer and the bottom outer layer and having a second intermediate density and second intermediate indentation force deflection; and   wherein the core second indentation force deflection is greater than the second intermediate second indentation force deflection and the second intermediate second indentation force deflection is greater than the second outer second indentation force deflection.   
     
     
         11 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a raised ridge proximate at least a portion of a perimeter of the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the raised ridge is interrupted by a cut away sized to receive an appendage of a body of a person lying on the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-layer layer therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a mattress. 
     
     
         14 . A therapeutic body support apparatus, comprising:
 a core portion having a core density and a core second indentation force deflection;   a top outer portion having a first outer density and a first outer second indentation force deflection;   a first intermediate portion intermediate and coextensive with the core portion and the top outer layer and having a first intermediate density and a first intermediate second indentation force deflection;   wherein the core second indentation force deflection is greater than the first intermediate second indentation force deflection, and the first intermediate second indentation force deflection is greater than the first outer second indentation force deflection;   a bottom outer portion having a second outer density and second outer second indentation force deflection;   a second intermediate portion intermediate and coextensive with the core portion and the bottom outer portion and having a second intermediate density and a second intermediate second indentation force deflection; and   wherein the core second indentation force deflection is greater than the second intermediate second indentation force deflection and the second intermediate second indentation force deflection is greater than the second outer second indentation force deflection.   
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the core foam portion comprises polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         16 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the core density is between about 2.5 pounds per cubic foot and about 3.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         17 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the core indentation force deflection is in the range from about 75 pounds/fifty square inches to about 90 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         18 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first intermediate foam portion comprises polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         19 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the intermediate density is in a range from about 2.5 pounds to about 3.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         20 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate indentation force deflection is between about 29 pounds/fifty square inches and about 39 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         21 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the outer foam portion has an indentation force deflection in the range from about 19 pounds/fifty square inches to about 25 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         22 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the outer foam portion has an indentation force deflection of about 24 pounds/fifty square inches at twenty five percent deflection. 
     
     
         23 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a raised ridge proximate at least a portion of a perimeter of the apparatus. 
     
     
         24 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the raised ridge is interrupted by a cut away sized to receive an appendage of a body of a person lying on the apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . The therapeutic body support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is a mattress.