US20060143830A1

US20060143830A1 - Contour lumbar support sleep pillow

Info

Publication number: US20060143830A1
Application number: US10/881,578
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen Bair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-01
Filing date: 2004-10-25
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

An apparatus for providing lower back pain relief for use between the human body and a flexible surface consisting of a flexible base member having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, a flexible top member having a lumbar support portion, a midpoint and two substantially flat sides extending from the support portion to the second side and the fourth side of the flexible base member; a pocket affixed to the flexible top member, the pocket defining an opening for insert of one or more hot or cold packs for maintaining a desired temperature of the apparatus, and a cover having a zipper which can be removably attached to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is placed between the lower back region of the user's body and the flexible surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus intended for relieving back pain and for providing a more natural and comfortable resting position while sleeping on a flexible surface, such as a mattress. Previously, devices aided upper portions of the spine, thoracic and cervical regions. For example, several varieties of neck pillows have been designed with intentions of relieving neck pain and enabling a more natural and comfortable resting position while resting on a mattress. There are also devices that support other regions of the body with intentions of relieving back pain and enabling more natural and comfortable resting positions. Some of these devices are placed at various parts of the human body to relieve tension on the spine, such as leg pillows for example. The present invention is intended to more properly align the human lumbar section of the spine when sleeping on a flexible surface, such as a mattress. The present invention will contour to the natural arc shape of the human lumbar, when resting on ones back and contour to the natural curve between the hipbone and rib cage when resting on ones side, thus more properly aligning the lumbar toward its natural shape than would be the case in either resting position on a flexible surface without this product. Other devices claim that their function is versatile and may be used for several regions of the body, but are not necessarily designed exclusively for the lumbar region. Some devices have been designed exclusively for the lumbar region, but do not necessarily concentrate on maintaining an anatomically correct resting position for the lumbar. For example, some devices may be relatively flat or may be arched more extremely and not resemble the shape of the lumbar region of the human spine, to the extent that device does.
The present invention is designed for use when sleeping. Other devices are designed for use in a seating position as well as a sleeping position. These devices are not designed specifically to cooperate with a flexible surface such as a mattress, for sleep.
The present invention relieves tension in the lumbar region by relaxing the lower back muscles and relieving pressure points, thereby reducing nerve stress and increasing blood flow to the area. The present invention will more properly align the human spine on a flexible surface, whether resting on ones side or back, thereby creating a more natural position for vertebrae in the lumbar, thus creating less stress on disks between the vertebrae in the lumbar. These benefits may be achieved by more properly aligning the spine and more naturally aligning the body during sleep, which is the encompassing idea of this invention.
In use, the present invention lies between the lower back region and a flexible surface, such as a mattress. Importantly, the present invention is deformable, conforming to both the human body's natural shape and the shape of the flexible surface. This invention relieves the tension in the lower lumbar region by allowing for maximum support while lying on a flexible surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides lower back pain relief through an apparatus, which conforms and contours to both the human body and a flexible surface such as a mattress. The flexible top member of the present invention is arc shaped and may rest against the lower spinal region or the side of the human body. The flexible top member of the present invention mimics the shape of the lower spinal region and the side of the human body. The flexible base member of the present invention conforms to a flexible surface. A flexible surface, such as a mattress, when presented with the weight of the human body, curves in a concave shape, similar to the shape of a hammock. The present invention compensates for the curvature of a flexible surface such as a mattress by fully supporting the weight of the human body and by not allowing the human body to curve along with the mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus may be used for people who suffer from lower back pain, for people who desire to sleep with their lumbar spine in a more natural position, for people who desire additional support to their midsection during sleep and for people who desire additional support that their mattress may not provide to their lumbar spine. The apparatus is placed between the lower back region of the human body and a flexible surface such as a mattress. It may be used under ones side or back while using it in a resting position.
Further, the present invention may be beneficial for problems such as, disk degeneration, chronic back pain conditions and lower back injuries.
Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes, in general, a flexible base member 2 and a flexible top member 3. The flexible base member 2 is substantially rectangular in shape having a first side 10, a second side 11, a third side 12 and a forth side 13. The first side 10 is identical to the third side 12. The second side 11 is identical to the forth side 13. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first side 10 and the third side 12 of the flexible base member 2 may have a length in a range between 10 and 76 inches. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second side 11 and the forth side 13 of the flexible base member 2 may have a length in a range between 6 inches and 16 inches.
Referring to FIG. 2, the forth side 13 has a first end 4 and a second end 5. The forth side 13 of the flexible base member 2 has a midpoint 6. The flexible top member 3 is an arc shape connecting first end 4 to second end 5. The flexible top member 3 has a midpoint 7. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radius of curvature R or the distance between the midpoint 6 of the flexible base member and the midpoint 7 of the flexible top member may be in a range between 1.1 inches and 4 inches, depending on the type of material used.
Referring to FIG. 3, the present invention includes a cover 8. In a preferred embodiment, the cover 8 may be made of polyester, cotton or a combination of polyester and cotton. The cover will be made of material that is suitable for resting against the skin during an entire night of sleep. In a preferred embodiment, the cover 8 includes a zipper 9, for removing cover 8 from the apparatus, to allow for washing cover 8. The zipper 9 runs from the midpoint 6 of the forth side 13 to the midpoint 15 of the second side 11. In a preferred embodiment, the cover may be designed for easy removal for machine washing. In another preferred embodiment, the cover 8 is affixed to the apparatus, with hook and loop fasteners. The cover 8 may include a pocket 16. The pocket 16 may be used for the insertion of hot and or cold gel packs in order to maintain a desired temperature of the apparatus. The pocket 16 may have a range between 2 inches in length by two inches in width to 76 inches in length by 17 inches in width. In a preferred embodiment, the gel pack may be permanently affixed to the top member 3.
In a preferred embodiment, the top member may also have additional layers of material affixed to it. In a preferred embodiment, the additional layers may be made of convoluted foam, viscoelastic foam, memory foam, urethane foam, polyurethane foam, polyester, Dacron or pillow-fill.
The present invention may be constructed out of various materials and in a variety of ways as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be constructed entirely out of polyurethane. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention may be constructed entirely out of viscoelastic foam.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing lower back pain relief for use between the human body and a flexible surface, said apparatus comprising:

a flexible base member having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side;

a flexible top member having a lumbar support portion, a midpoint and two substantially flat sides extending from said support portion to said second side and said fourth side of said flexible base member;

a pocket affixed to said flexible top member, said pocket defining an opening for insertion of hot or cold packs for maintaining a desired temperature of said apparatus;

a cover having a zipper, wherein said cover is removably attached to said apparatus by said zipper;

wherein said apparatus is placed between the lower back region of the human body and the flexible surface.

2. The flexible top member of claim 1, wherein said midpoint has a radius of curvature in a range of about 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible top member consists of a plurality of flexible top members removably affixed to said flexible base member.

4. The flexible top members of claim 3, wherein said flexible top members are made of fiber fill or polyester.

5. The flexible base member of claim 1, wherein said first side and said third side have a length in a range of about 10 to 76 inches.

6. The flexible base member of claim 1, wherein said second side and said forth side have a length in a range of about 8 to 38 inches.

7. The pocket of claim 1, wherein said pocket is removably attached to said apparatus.

8. The flexible base member of claim 1, wherein said flexible base member is constructed of visco-elastic foam or polyurethane foam.

9. The flexible top member of claim 1, wherein said flexible top member is made of visco-elastic foam.

10. The flexible base member of claim 1, wherein said cover is made of polyester or cotton or a combination of polyester and cotton.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is of unitary construction.

12. The flexible base member of claim 1, wherein said cover is made of at most 20% polyester and at most 100% cotton or a combination of sateen, jacquard, damask, silk, hemp, wool, linen, ramine, nylon or jute.

13. The flexible top member of claim 1, wherein said flexible top member is made of convoluted foam, or visco-elastic foam or polyester fiber or latex or a combination of cotton, cashmere, wool, silk, alpaca, lavender, lyocell, buckwheat, down, feathers, kapok, latex, polystyrene microbeads, or convoluted foam.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible base member is made of polyurethane or convoluted foam.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pocket has a length in a range of about 4 to 76 inches.

16. A method for relieving back pain, comprising:

placing an apparatus between a person's trocanter and rib region of the body when the person is lying on his or her side, said apparatus comprising a flexible base member connected to a flexible top member, a pocket affixed to said flexible top member, and a cover having a zipper, wherein said cover is removably attached to said apparatus by said zipper.

17. A method for relieving back pain, comprising:

placing an apparatus between a person's apex of sacrum and the lower thoracic region of the body when the person is lying on his or her back, said apparatus comprising a flexible base member connected to a flexible top member, a pocket affixed to said flexible top member, and a cover having a zipper, wherein said cover is removably attached to said apparatus by said zipper.