US20090106903A1

US20090106903A1 - Chiropractic cushion for use in combination with a chiropractic support

Info

Publication number: US20090106903A1
Application number: US11/978,414
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel M. Vanderweit
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-29
Filing date: 2007-10-29
Publication date: 2009-04-30

Abstract

A chiropractic head cushion. The head cushion is used in combination with a chiropractic table having a frame and having a pair of oppositely spaced cushions affixed to the frame. The oppositely spaced cushions define a channel therebetween. The head cushion comprises a top side, a bottom side, and sidewalls connecting the top side and bottom side. The bottom side has a protrusion that extends outwardly from the bottom side wherein the protrusion is removably insertable within the channel and rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions such that when the patient rests upon the cushioned surface the removable head cushion uniformly supports the patient's head across the channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

Numerous types of patient supports, such as tables, exist to enable the practicing chiropractor or other health professional to conduct examinations, adjustments, applications and treatments beneficial to the patient. During treatment, a patient, lying freely on the table, or strapped thereto, has the musculo-skeletal system manipulated as required for a particular procedure.
In the treatment of the patient, the health professional often exerts considerable pressure and leverage on the various portions of the patient's anatomy. This requires that the patient be placed in a position which is comfortable to the patient and which is convenient to the health professional in order that the health professional applies the proper, pressures.
A typical patient position requires that the patient lie on the front side or stomach and place the forehead on a headpiece section of the table. The headpiece section includes a support for the patient to rest the forehead. Since the patient lies facedown, the support typically consists of a pair of cushions affixed to the headpiece section separated from each other so the patient's eyes, nose and mouth are suspended within the space to allow for comfortable breathing by the patient. Another typical patient position requires that the patient lie on the backside or lumbar region and place the back of the head on the pair of spaced cushions of the headpiece section. For patient comfort, the health professional often places a conventional pillow to span the gap between the spaced apart cushions.
These spaced apart cushions, however, typically comprise a somewhat rigid material to provide resistant force as the health professional applies pressure to the patient. The forehead and in particular the back of the patient's head tends to press down within the conventional pillow and tends to slip within the space defined by the spaced apart cushions leading to discomfort for the patient and leading to misapplied treatment by the health professional. The suspended conventional pillow also tends to slip off the spaced apart cushions and to fall on the floor. Accordingly, the health professional requires a stabilized head portion of the support table to provide patient comfort while also providing the proper patient alignment for the health professional.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a head cushion, and in particular, to a head cushion used by a patient lying on a support such as a chiropractic table.
The chiropractic table comprises a frame having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, a bottom portion and legs supporting the bottom portion. A cushioned surface secures to the top portion of the frame, wherein the cushioned surface is adapted for the patient to rest cushioned thereon. The cushioned surface has a pair of oppositely spaced cushions affixed to the front portion, wherein the oppositely spaced cushions define a channel therebetween. The head cushion of the present disclosure removably inserts within the channel and rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions such that when the patient rests upon the cushioned surface the removable head cushion uniformly supports the patient's head across the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a head cushion constructed in accordance with and embodying the present disclosure illustrating a protrusion of the cushion;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a head cushion constructed in accordance with and embodying the present disclosure illustrating a protrusion of the cushion;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the head cushion of FIG. 1 shown separated from a support table;

FIG. 4 is a another perspective view of the cushion of FIG. 2 inserted within and resting upon support cushions of the support table; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the head cushion of the present disclosure stored underneath the support table.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description illustrates the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.
Referring to the drawings, a head cushion of the present disclosure is generally shown as 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The head cushion removably inserts within a support 12 (FIG. 3). The support 10 can be employed in connection with any patient support, such as but not limited to, a table or chair that is used for the examination, or treatment or support of a human patient receiving treatment. The support 10 is optimally shown in the form of a chiropractic table (FIG. 2). The chiropractic table 10 includes separate sections, such as a headpiece or thoracic, lumbar, pelvic or other section so that the health professional can conduct the desired treatment upon a given part of the patient's body.
The chiropractic table 12 is typically padded, adjustable and articulated so that a patient, lying freely on the chiropractic table 12, or strapped thereto, can have the musculo-skeletal system manipulated as required for a particular procedure by the health professional. Each of the sections optimally adjusts vertically and longitudinally so as to accommodate the particular needs of the patient and the particular size of the patient.
As shown in FIG. 3, the chiropractic table 12 comprises a frame 14 having a front portion 16, a rear portion 18, a top portion 20 and a bottom portion 22. Legs 24 support and suspend the frame 14 off the ground 26. For comfort, the chiropractic table 12 further comprises a cushioned surface 28 secure to the top portion 20 of the frame 14. The cushion surface 28 is adapted for the patient to rest cushioned thereon. In an embodiment, the cushion surface 28 is segmented to match and preferably cover the segmented sections of the chiropractic table 12.
Positioned at the front portion 16 of the frame 14, the cushioned surface 28 has a pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30 affixed to a head section 32 of the front portion 16. The spaced apart cushions 30 may removably affix to the head section 32 to allow a variety of cushions having different shapes, sizes and material compositions. The oppositely spaced cushions 30 define a channel 34 there between. The channel 34 exposes a least a portion of the head section 32. The pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30 and the resultant channel 34 optimally extend along substantially the length of the head section 32. In an embodiment, the spaced apart cushions 30 have a height range of about 0.25 inches to about six inches. Consequently, the channel 34 has a height range of about 0.25 inches to about six inches. Further, in an embodiment, the channel 34 has a width range from about 0.25 inches to about six inches.
Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2 and referring to FIG. 3, the head cushion 10 removably inserts within the channel 34. In this position, the head cushion 10 rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30. The head cushion 10 comprises top side 36, a bottom side 38, and side walls 40 connecting the top side 36 and the bottom side 38. The top side 36 optimally has a length of about 11 inches to about 12 inches and has a width of about 11 inches to about 12 inches. The side walls 40 optimally have a length of about 11 inches to about 12 inches and have a height of about 2 inches to about 3 inches.
The head cushion 10 includes a protrusion 42 extending outwardly from the bottom side 38. The protrusion 42 has a first end 44, a second end 46, and a body 48 disposed there between forming a T-shaped cushion. The body 48 is sized and shaped to insert within the channel 34 defined by the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30. Preferably the body 48 is sized and shaped to slidably insert within the channel 34. The body 48 optimally has a length of about 11 inches to about 12 inches and has a width of about 2 inches to about 3 inches. As shown, the body 48 has an equal length as the top side 36 of the head cushion 10.
When the protrusion 42 is removably inserted within the channel 34, the bottom sides 38 of the head cushion 10 contacts and rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30. A fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener (not shown) may removably attach the bottom sides 38 of the head cushion 10 to the tops of the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30. In this position, the protrusion 42 contacts the head section 32 when the protrusion 42 inserts within the channel 34. Although the protrusion 42 slidably inserts within the channel 34, the protrusion 42 may slideably move within the channel 34. The bottom side 38 covers the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30,when the protrusion 42 inserts within the channel 34 such that when the patient rests upon the cushioned surface 28, the removable head cushion 10 uniformly supports the patients head across the channel 34. In particular, the head cushion 10 distributes the weight of the rested patient's head to the pair of oppositely space cushions 30 and to the head section 32 of the frame 14.
During treatment of the patient, the health professional removes the T-shaped head cushion 10 from storage and removably inserts the head cushion 10 in the channel 34 defined by the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30. While inserting the head cushion 10 within the channel 34, the health professional positions the bottom sides 38 over the top of the oppositely spaced cushions 30. In this position, the bottom sides 38 contact and rest upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30. Additionally, in this position, the protrusion slidably inserts or slides within the channel 34 and contacts the head section 32 of the front portion 16 of the frame 14.
Upon properly positing the head cushion 10, the health professional directs the patient to lie on chiropractic table 12 in a prone position such that the patient's head rests upon the T-shaped head cushion 10 wherein the T-shaped head cushion 10 uniformly supports the patient's head across the channel 34. Since the T-shaped head cushion 10 covers the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30 when the protrusion 42 inserts within the channel 34 such that the T-shaped head cushion 10 distributes the weight of the rested patient's head to the pair of oppositely spaced cushions 30 and to the protrusion 42.
During treatment, the patient may rest in the prone (face up) position upon the cushioned surface 28. The patient may rest in the prone (face down) position upon the cushioned surface 28. This position provides the health professional access to the spinal regions. After treatment, the health professional lifts the patient's head off of the T-shaped head cushion 10, removes the T-shaped head cushion 10 and stores the T-shaped head cushion 10 underneath the chiropractic table.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Moreover, the use of the terms “upper” and “lower” or “top” or “bottom” or “forward/front” or “rear” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.

Claims

1. A support table for a human patient receiving treatment, comprising:

a frame having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, a bottom portion and legs supporting the bottom portion;

a cushioned surface secured to the top portion of the frame and adapted for the patient to rest cushioned thereon, the cushioned surface having a pair of oppositely spaced cushions affixed to the front portion, the oppositely spaced cushions defining a channel therebetween; and

a head cushion removably insertable within the channel and resting upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions such that when the patient rests upon the cushioned surface the removable head cushion uniformly supports the patient's head across the channel.

3. The support table of claim 1 wherein the head cushion includes a protrusion that is sized and shaped to insert within the channel defined by the pair of oppositely spaced cushions.

2. The support table of claim 2 wherein the head cushion comprises a top side, a bottom side, and sidewalls connecting the top side and bottom side, the bottom side having a protrusion that extends outwardly from the bottom side.

4. The support table of claim 3 wherein the protrusion has a first end, a second end and a body disposed therebetween, the body being sized and shaped to pressureably insert within the channel.

5. The support table of claim 3 wherein the bottom side contacts and rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions when the protrusion inserts within the channel.

6. The support table of claim 3 wherein the bottom sides cover the pair of oppositely spaced cushions when the protrusion inserts within the channel such that the head cushion distributes the weight of the rested patient's head to the pair of oppositely spaced cushions.

7. The support table of claim 1 wherien the protrusion contacts the head section when the protrusion inserts within the channel.

8. The support table of claim 3 wherein the protrusion is slidably movable within the channel.

9. The support table of claim 1 wherein the head cushion is T-shaped.

10. The support table of claim 1 wherein the frame is a chiropractic table.

11. A head cushion used in combination with a chiropractic table having a frame and having a pair of oppositely spaced cushions affixed to the frame, the oppositely spaced cushions defining a channel therebetween, the head cushion comprising:

a top side, a bottom side, and sidewalls connecting the top side and bottom side, the bottom side having a protrusion that extends outwardly from the bottom side wherein the protrusion is removably insertable within the channel and rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions such that when the patient rests upon the cushioned surface the removable head cushion uniformly supports the patient's head across the channel.

12. The head cushion of claim 11 wherein the protrusion has a first end, a second end and a body disposed therebetween, the body being sized and shaped to slidably insert within the channel.

13. The head cushion of claim 11 wherein the bottom side contacts and rests upon the pair of oppositely spaced cushions when the protrusion inserts within the channel.

14. The head cushion of claim 11 wherein the protrusion contacts the frame when the protrusion inserts within the channel.

15. The head cushion of claim 14 wherein the bottom sides cover the pair of oppositely spaced cushions when the protrusion inserts within the channel such that the head cushion distributes the weight of the rested patient's head to the pair of oppositely spaced cushions and to the protrusion.

16. A method of supporting a patient on a chiropractic table, the method comprising:

defining a channel between a pair of oppositely spaced cushions that are affixed to a front portion of the chiropractic table;

inserting a T-shaped head cushion within the channel;

positioning the T-shaped cushion over the pair of oppositely spaced cushions; and

lying the patient on the chiropractic table in a prone position such that the patient's head rests upon the T-shaped cushion wherein the T-shaped head cushion uniformly supports the patient's head across the channel.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein inserting the T-shaped cushion within the channel comprises slidably sliding a protrusion of the T-shaped cushion within the channel.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising contacting the protrusion with the front portion and contacting the protrusion with the pair of oppositely spaced cushion.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the T-shaped cushion covers the pair of oppositely spaced cushions when the protrusion inserts within the channel such that the T-shaped cushion distributes the weight of the rested patient's head to the pair of oppositely spaced cushions and to the protrusion.

20. The method of claim 16 lifting the patient's head off of the T-shaped cushion and storing the T-shaped cushion underneath the chiropractic table.