Portable,Inflatable and Self-Adjusting Cushion for Upper and Lower Back Support

Abstract

This present invention relates to not only providing the conventional support for upper and lower back under normal circumstances of a proper sitting position, it even provides a self-adjusting experience and improved degree of lumbar support whenever a relaxed lean-backward seating posture is taken. This Self-Adjusting Cushion has executed without any compromise of losing the expected level of contoured support for the spine to be in proper alignment. Thus relieving and alleviating any possible fatigue or pain due to improper sitting position. Portable, Inflatable and Self-Adjusting Cushion for Upper and Lower Back Support is a sealed support device, which is configured and designed with a semi-oval shape structure to provide the contoured lumbar support. It is characterized with the following major components: 1. 3 rectangular-shaped slip-sheets of different breadths (depth) but of same length are attached horizontally and parallel to one another. They are configured to be at different heights of the cushion. They are hidden within the sealed support device to form 3 open compartments. During the self-adjusting phenomena, these 3 sheets will prevent the sealed support device from being over-expanded beyond its maximum depth to avoid creation of any discomfort to user when more than necessary volume of air is pumped into the sealed support device. In addition, these 3 sheets together will yield the desired semi-oval shaped cushion to provide support for the lumbar region. 2. A safety air valve that allows user to manually adjust the degree of firmness for desired comfort by pumping air into or releasing air from the sealed cushion. 3. Two adjustable elastic straps with buckles—allow the cushion to be either fixed onto any sizes of seat or to the different sizes of waistline of users.

1 . Portable, Inflatable and Self-Adjusting Cushion for Upper and Lower Back Support is a sealed support device. It not only provides the user with the desired level of support for upper back and lower back under normal circumstances of a proper sitting postures, its main objective is to provide a self-adjusting experience with an improved degree of contoured lumbar support even when the user does not adopt a proper sitting posture or takes up a relaxed posture such as leaning backward on the self-adjusting lumbar support cushion. It is characterized with the following: (the abbreviations to be used in the claim section should be referenced to  FIG. 1  and the detail drawing descriptions)
 (a) a centre piece of Part 1 together with Part 2 and Part 3 (Part 1,2,3 as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to make up a sealed structure   (b) 2 sheets of semi-oval shaped P 2  and P 3  that gives the shape of the support device for contoured lumbar support   (c) One safety air valve, P 5 , attached to the side of Part 2, allows the mean for manual inflation of blowing or pumping air into the support device or manual deflation of the support device by un-plucking the cap of the air valve to adjust the degree of firmness of the sealed support device   (d) 2 adjustable and elastic straps with buckles attached to the side of P 2  and P 3  respectively, to allow the support device to be attachable to any different sizes of body or seat structure   (e) 3 rectangular sheets of P 7 , P 8  and P 9  as shown in  FIG. 1 , are of the same length but varying depth, attaching and holding P 1  Front and P 1  Rear (as shown in  FIG. 1 ).   
   
   
       2 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the centre piece, P 1  Front and P 1  Rear, can be fabricated with suitable flexible plastic materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or rubberized nylon or canvas to make up the sealed support device. 
   
   
       3 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the 2 sheets of the semi-oval shaped components P 2  and P 3 , are the pieces that provide the shape when it is inflated to fill the lumbar region of user when the curved side of the support device is in contact or attached to the back of the user. 
   
   
       4 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein when the support device is inflated, though the hollow of a human being back may vary, it still can provide optimal comfort and support to the lumbar region of the user though the radius of P 2  and P 3  are about 2-3 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rectangular slip-sheets Part 7, P 8 , P 9  with both its length attached to P 1  Front and P 1  Rear, can be fabricated with suitable flexible plastic materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or rubberized nylon or canvas. They are concealed within the sealed support device. The rectangular sheets of Part 7, P 8 , P 9  are of the same length except with different breadths (of depth) of the support device. 
   
   
       6 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein P 7 , P 8 , P 9  are attached horizontally and are parallel to each other in the sealed support device. 
   
   
       7 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the top end of the sealed support device and P 7  form an open compartment of air, R 1 , when inflated. 
   
   
       8 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein Part 7 and Part 8 will form an open compartment of air, R 2 , when inflated. 
   
   
       9 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein Part 8 and Part 9 will form an open compartment of air, R 3 , when inflated. 
   
   
       10 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the length of P 7 , P 8 , P 9  are of only 50% of the total width of the support device and are positioned in the centre of the width of P 1  Front and P 1  Rear, the air are free to flow within the sealed support device at any point of time when the support device is compressed at any particular point of the support device. 
   
   
       11 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein P 7  is at a height about 75% of the total height of the cushion. This breadth P 7  is about 2-3 inches. 
   
   
       12 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rectangular sheet, P 7  purposes is to hold P 1  Front and P 1  Rear and further enhance the shape of a semi-oval shaped structure when it is inflated. 
   
   
       13 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein P 7  additional purposes is to prevent the self-adjusting support device from being over-inflated when more than desired volume of air is blown or pumped into the sealed support cushion. 
   
   
       14 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein when the support device is not inflated to its optimal firmness, P 7  will be flabby and will not be fully extended to its maximum depth. 
   
   
       15 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rectangular sheet, P 8  purposes is to hold P 1  Front and P 1  Rear and further enhance the shape of a semi-oval shaped structure. P 8  can be fabricated with suitable flexible plastic materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or rubberized nylon or canvas. 
   
   
       16 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein P 8  additional purpose is to prevent the self-adjusting support device at R 2  from being over-inflated when a more than desired volume of air is blown or pumped into the sealed structure. 
   
   
       17 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein when the support device is not inflated to its optimal firmness, P 8  will be flabby and will not be fully extended to its maximum depth. 
   
   
       18 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein P 8  is designed and configured in such a manner that it is at a height about 40% of the total height of the support device. 
   
   
       19 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the breadth of P 8  is 1.5 times of the radius of the semi-oval shaped pieces of P 2  and P 3 . 
   
   
       20 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein when the user leans backwards on the self-adjusting support device, R 1  will be compressed and forces air to flow downwards to R 2  and R 3 . 
   
   
       21 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 20  wherein P 8  will be extended to its optimal breadth or depth and prevent P 1  Front from being over-extended and R 2  from over protruding. At the same time, the bulging R 2  will push P 1  Front outwards and thereby pushing the user's lumbar region into an arched position as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   
   
       22 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the state of R 2  to bugle to its optimal breadth to provide an optimal contoured support to the lumbar region, is attributed to the fact that P 8  is configured and designed to be 1.5 times of the radius of P 2  and P 3 . 
   
   
       23 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the experience of contoured lumbar support is self-adjusting when the user adjusts his sitting position from a sit up straight lumbar arched posture to a leaning backwards position against the backrest of any seat structure. 
   
   
       24 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rectangular sheet, Part 9, purposes is to hold P 1  Front and P 1  Rear in such a manner to enhance the shape of a semi-oval shaped structure. Part 9 can be fabricated with suitable flexible plastic materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or rubberized nylon or canvas. 
   
   
       25 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein P 9  the other purpose is to prevent the self-adjusting support device from being over-inflated and bulged at R 3  when a more than desired volume of air is blown or pumped into the sealed structure. 
   
   
       26 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein when the support device is not inflated to its optimal firmness, P 9  can be flabby and will not be fully extended to its maximum depth. 
   
   
       27 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein P 9  is designed and configured in such a manner that it is at a height about 20% of the total height of the support device. 
   
   
       28 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the breadth of P 9  is the same as the radius of the semi-oval shaped pieces of P 2  and P 3 . 
   
   
       29 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein when the user leans backwards on the self-adjusting support device, the air from R 1  will be compressed and flown downwards to R 2 , R 3   
   
   
       30 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 8  and  claim 29 , wherein R 2  will bulge and protrude outwards pressing against the user back. 
   
   
       31 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 9  and  claim 29  wherein the R 3 , will bulge and protrude outwards pressing against the user back. 
   
   
       32 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein P 9  will be extended to its optimal breadth or depth and prevent P 1  Front from being over-bulged. At the same time, the bulging R 3  will push P 1  Front outwards. 
   
   
       33 . The self-adjusting support device as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the state of R 3  to bugle to its optimal breadth to provide an optimal contoured support to the lumbar region, is attributed to the fact that P 9  is configured and designed to be 2-3 inches so as not to cause discomfort at the pelvic region.