Adjustable spinal support apparatus, system, and device

Abstract

An adjustable spinal support apparatus, system, and device is described. The adjustable spinal support allows for easy customization of a desired spinal contour. The support provides a structure for using non-deforming space adjusters, individually or in combination, to create various thicknesses along the length of the support. The support may be removably secured to a recliner, or a reference contour. A reference contour may provide convenience and portability in some applications. A padding (or cover) may be attached to the adjustable spinal support or attached to both the adjustable spinal support and a reference contour.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for adjustable spinal support, comprising:
 at least one thickness adjuster;   a support base that supports a plurality of thickness adjusters, wherein the thickness adjusters are incompressible;   a securer attached to the support base, wherein the securer secures the at least one thickness adjuster to the base; and   a support fastener attached to the support base and a reference contour.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: stretchable tubular receptacles, at least one belt, male pegs, Velcro, metal snaps, elastic cord, ligature, tongue and groove joints, plastic snaps, nylon snaps and pins. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stretchable tubular receptacles comprise at least three receptacles constructed in part of an elastically stretchable membrane, elastic, spandex, knit fabric, mesh, netting, and ligature. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness adjusters comprises rectangular shaped substantially incompressible forms of various thicknesses; and
 at least one of the thickness adjusters comprises a tapered end.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the various thicknesses range from between 0.1 inches to 5 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness adjusters are stacked to form cumulative varying thicknesses. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness adjusters are solid, semi-solid, or perforated. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness adjusters are secured to the base in varying thicknesses across a portion of the length of the base to form a customizable ergonomic support contour for the spine. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support base is rectangular, oblong, or oval shaped and is at least one selected from the group consisting of: piece of fabric, rubberized mat, reinforced fabric, vinyl, leather, strip of nylon belt, plastic, hemp, and a plurality of strips of nylon belt. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference contour is rectangular, square, oblong, hour-glassed, or oval shaped; and
 the reference contour comprises wood, plastic, metal, molding, particle board, engineered board, material, foam, cork, firm foam, rubber, rubberized material, fiberglass, cardboard, particle board, polymer, composite, thermoplastic, elastomer, polymer, or any combinations thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference contour is solid, perforated, semi-solid, smooth, semi-smooth, textured, flat, contoured, beveled, curved, back-shaped, rectangular, square, oblong, oval, hour glassed, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference contour comprises a handle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support fastener is at least one selected from the group consisting of: harness, vertical and horizontal strap system, loop, ties, belt, adjustable straps, strands, rope, adjustable straps with mating connectors, elastic, flaps, snaps, Velcro, laces, connectors, mating connectors, strings, straps, laces, Velcro, snaps, buttons, hooks, eyehooks, cotter pins, buckles, belts, interlocks, attachment systems, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable spinal support is ventilated. 
     
     
         17 . A device for adjustable spinal support, comprising:
 a support structure comprising a plurality of stretchable tubular shaped receptacles;   at least one spacer, wherein the spacer comprises substantially incompressible thickness;   wherein at least one tubular receptacle contains at least one spacer; and   a support fastener attached to the support structure, wherein the fastener attaches the support structure to a contour reference.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the contour reference comprises wood, is rectangular shaped and flat, is half an inch thick, is between 12-36 inches long, and is between 6-24 inches wide. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the stretchable tubular shaped receptacles comprise at least three receptacles constructed in part of an elastically stretchable membrane, elastic, spandex, knit fabric, mesh, netting, and ligature. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the spacers comprise rectangular shaped substantially incompressible forms of various thicknesses in the range from between 0.1 inches to 5 inches; and
 at least one spacer is tapered.   
     
     
         23 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An adjustable spinal support, comprising:
 means for supporting a plurality of thickness spacers, wherein the thickness spacers are non-deforming;   means for securing at least one thickness spacer to the means for supporting; and   means for fastening the adjustable spinal support to a means for reference.   
     
     
         27 . The adjustable spinal support of  claim 26 , wherein the means for reference is rectangular, square, oblong, hour-glassed, or oval shaped; and
 the means for reference comprises wood, plastic, metal, molding, particle board, engineered board, material, foam, cork, firm foam, rubber, rubberized material, fiberglass, cardboard, particle board, polymer, composite, thermoplastic, elastomer, polymer, or any combinations thereof.   
     
     
         28 - 31 . (canceled)