Seat Cushion With Recessed Region To Provide Spinal Decompression

Abstract

A seat cushion for use with a seat, chair, or bench. The cushion is provided with a strategically located recessed region, to provide spinal decompression for the user. The recessed region is located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of the cushion. The recessed region is further contained entirely within the periphery of the cushion, so that the portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. The depth of the recessed region is sufficient to allow spinal decompression, but it need not extend entirely through the thickness of the cushion. A number of configurations for the cutout, and applications for the seat cushion, are disclosed. Also disclosed are chair, bench, and seat constructions incorporating the seat cushion and providing its spinal decompression feature.

1 . A seat cushion for use with a seat, chair, or bench, comprising, a cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion further having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including a recessed region in its upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. 
   
   
       2 . A seat cushion as in  claim 1  in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       3 . A seat cushion as in  claim 1  in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       4 . A seat cushion as in  claim 1  in which said recessed region is trapezoidal, ovaloid, or circular in configuration. 
   
   
       5 . A seat cushion as in  claim 1  further including a generally vertically extending backrest having a lower edge in contingent relation with said rear edge of said cushion. 
   
   
       6 . A seat cushion as in  claim 5  further including a second seat cushion and a second backrest with a bench seat therebetween. 
   
   
       7 . A chair comprising: a generally horizontal support frame, said support frame having at least four corners and an upper support surface; a leg depending vertically downwardly from each of said corners; a backrest extending generally vertically from a rear side of said support frame; and, a seat cushion, said seat cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion further having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface overlying said upper support surface of said support frame, said cushion further including a recessed region in said upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. 
   
   
       8 . A chair as in  claim 7  in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       9 . A chair as in  claim 7  in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       10 . A chair as in  claim 7  in which said recessed region is trapezoidal, ovaloid, or circular in configuration. 
   
   
       11 . An office chair, comprising: a generally horizontal support frame, said support frame having an upper support surface; a support post depending vertically downwardly from lower support surface in a central portion of said support frame; a plurality of legs extending radially in spaced relation from a lower end of said support post, said legs being oriented generally horizontally, each including a caster on its outer end; a backrest extending generally vertically from a rear side of said support frame; and, a seat cushion, said seat cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion further having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface overlying said upper support surface of said support frame, said cushion further including a recessed region in said upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. 
   
   
       12 . An office chair as in  claim 11  further including arm rest means providing support for the arms of the user of the chair, said arm rest means having a lower end connected to said support frame. 
   
   
       13 . An office chair as in  claim 12  including arm rest means on either side of said support frame. 
   
   
       14 . An office chair as in  claim 13  in which each of said arm rest means comprises a horizontal arm rest and at least one vertical brace extending between said arm rest and said support frame. 
   
   
       15 . An office chair as in  claim 11  in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       16 . An office chair as in  claim 11  in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       17 . An office chair as in  claim 11  in which said recessed region is trapezoidal, ovaloid, or circular in configuration. 
   
   
       18 . A motor vehicle seat comprising: a generally horizontal support frame; a backrest extending generally vertically from a rear side of said support frame; and, a seat cushion, said seat cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion being connected to said support frame and having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including an upper surface and a recessed region in said upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. 
   
   
       19 . An automobile seat as in  claim 18  in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 
   
   
       20 . An automobile seat as in  claim 18  in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion.