A Posture Support

Abstract

This invention relates to a posture support ( 1 ) comprising a wedge-shaped body ( 3,51,131 ) constructed from a resiliently deformable material and means to releasably secure the wedge-shaped body to a backpack ( 151 ). The invention further relates to a backpack ( 151 ) in combination with the detachable posture support ( 1 ). The posture support ( 1 ) according to the invention may be quickly attached or detached from a backpack ( 151 ). In this way, when the posture support ( 1 ) is mounted on the backpack ( 151 ), the posture support ( 1 ) can alleviate the pressure on the spine and intervertebral discs caused by carrying the heavy backpack ( 1 ). When the posture support ( 1 ) if taken off the backpack ( 151 ), the posture support ( 1 ) may be used as a sitting posture support to alleviate the pressure on the spine caused by sitting on a flat surface. The posture support ( 1 ) is relatively inexpensive and can be produced at a fraction of the cost of many other posture supports.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A dual-function posture correction support operable to decrease stress on the spine and intervertebral discs and transfer a load to the core foundation muscle groups of the lower back and upper legs, and operable interchangeably as a sitting posture support and a standing posture support, the dual-function posture correction support comprising a wedge-shaped body having a wedge angle of between 8° and 12° constructed from a resiliently deformable material that when in use as a sitting posture correction support is placed beneath the user's posterior between the user's posterior and a support surface with the thin end of the wedge-shaped body proximal to the user's knee and the thick end of the wedge-shaped body distal from the user's knee thereby promoting an upright sitting posture of the user, the dual-function posture correction support further comprising a releasable fastener to releasably secure the wedge-shaped body to the lumbar-engaging area of a backpack in a position intermediate the backpack and the user's back so that when in use as a standing posture correction support, the wedge-shaped body is located between the user's back and the backpack with the thick end of the wedge located adjacent the lower back of the user and the thin end of the wedge facing upwardly towards the user's upper back, thereby promoting a more upright stance of the user. 
     
     
         23 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the wedge-shaped body is provided with a securing strap for releasably securing the wedge-shaped body to the waist of a user when the dual-function posture support is in use as a standing posture support. 
     
     
         24 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the wedge-shaped body's wedge angle is 11°. 
     
     
         25 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the releasable fastener to releasably secure the wedge-shaped body to the lumbar-engaging area of a backpack comprises a pair of complementary fasteners, one for mounting on the wedge-shaped body and the other of which is for mounting on the backpack. 
     
     
         26 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  4  in which the complementary fastener for mounting on the backpack is releasably mounted on the backpack. 
     
     
         27 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  5  in which the complementary fastener mounted on the backpack is provided with a plurality of clips for releasable engagement of the backpack. 
     
     
         28 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  6  in which there are four clips for engagement of the backpack. 
     
     
         29 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  4  in which the complementary fasteners are of the hook and eye type. 
     
     
         30 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the means to releasably secure the wedge-shaped body to a backpack comprises a plurality of clips connected to the wedge-shaped body for engagement of the backpack. 
     
     
         31 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the resiliently deformable material comprises a high-density memory foam. 
     
     
         32 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the wedge-shaped body comprises a laminate having a pair of foam layers, a base foam layer located remote from the user and an upper foam layer mounted on the base foam layer and located proximal to the user. 
     
     
         33 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  11  in which the base foam layer is constructed from a higher density foam than the upper foam layer. 
     
     
         34 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  11  in which the base foam layer is constructed from a closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         35 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  13  in which the upper foam layer comprises an open-cell foam. 
     
     
         36 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  11  in which the upper foam layer comprises a gel foam. 
     
     
         37 . The dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1  in which the edges of the wedge-shaped body of the posture correction support that abut against a user are rounded. 
     
     
         38 . In combination, a backpack and a dual-function posture correction support as claimed in claim  1 . 
     
     
         39 . A posture correction support operable to decrease stress on the spine and intervertebral discs, the posture correction support comprising a wedge-shaped body having a wedge angle of between 8° and 12° constructed from a resiliently deformable material that when in use as a sitting posture correction support is placed beneath the user's posterior between the user's posterior and a support surface with the thin end of the wedge-shaped body proximal to the user's knee and the thick end of the wedge-shaped body distal from the user's knee thereby promoting an upright sitting posture of the user. 
     
     
         40 . The posture correction support as claimed in claim  18  in which the wedge-shaped body's wedge angle is 11°. 
     
     
         41 . The posture correction support as claimed in claim  18  in which the wedge-shaped body comprises a laminate having a pair of foam layers, a base foam layer located remote from the user and an upper foam layer mounted on the base foam layer and located proximal to the user, and in which the base foam layer is constructed from a higher density foam than the upper foam layer, the base foam layer is constructed from a closed-cell foam and the upper foam layer comprises an open-cell foam.