GB2130086A

GB2130086A - Improvements relating to back supporting cushions for seats

Info

Publication number: GB2130086A
Application number: GB08329925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Putnam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-13
Filing date: 1983-11-09
Publication date: 1984-05-31
Also published as: GB8329925D0; GB2130086B; EP0109258A3; EP0109258A2

Abstract

A back supporting cushion for use as a loose cushion on seats, comprises a rigid backing sheet (1) and a body of resilient material disposed against said backing sheet for location against the back of a sitter and having a central area (2) which in its upward extension is convexly curved on its surface remote from the backing sheet (1) and two upwardly extending side supports (3), one on each side of the central area and which project forwardly of the central area. The central area (2) preferably is in the form of three adjoining and vertically extending sections, the two outer sections (5 and 6) being similar and the central section (4) extending higher than the two outer sections (5 and 6). Preferably the side supports (3) are of a harder material than the central area (2). <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 130 086 A 1

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to back supporting cushions for seats

This invention relates to back supporting cushions for seats and which are fitted as loose 70 cushions to the backs of existing seats.

The object of the invention is to provide a back supporting cushion which can be used as a support for the back of a sitter in the manner of an orthopaedic back support.

According to the invention a back supporting cushion has a rigid backing sheet and a body of resilient material disposed against said backing sheet for location against the back of a sitter and having a central area which in its upward extension is convexly curved on its surface remote from the backing sheet and two upwardly extending side supports, one on each side of the central area and which project forwardly of the central area.

Said central area may be formed by a single piece of material or it may be in the form of three adjoining and vertically extending sections.

Preferably in this case the two outer sections are similar and the central section extends higher than 90 the two outer sections.

One construction of back supporting cushion in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the back supporting cushion, Figure 2 shows a side view, and Figure 3 shows a plan view from above.

Referring now to the drawings, the back 100 supporting cushion comprises a rigid backing sheet 1 for example of plywood. Secured to the backing sheet 1 by adhesive is a body of resilient material for example of foam rubber or synthetic foamed material. A cushion cover (not shown) is tailored to fit over the cushion.

The body has a central area 2 and two similar side supports 3, one on each side of the central area 2 and which project forwardly of the central area 2. The side supports 3 are made of a harder material, i.e. are less spongy, than the central area 2; for example, they are made of material known as 8 lb chip foam.

The central area 2 is in three adjoining and upwardly extending sections, namely a central section 4 and two similar outer sections 5 and 6.

Each of the sections 4 to 6 is convexly curved in its upward extension. The central section 4 extends higher than the two outer sections 5 and 6 and provides full support of the spine of a person sitting in the seat. Since the outer sections 5 and 120 6 end below the central section 4 the shoulder blades of a sitter can be comfortably accommodated on either side of the central section 4.

A typical construction of back supporting 125 cushion in accordance with the invention and for use as a domestic cushion has the following dimensions. Its width a is 11 inches (27.94 ems) and its height b is 13-1inches (34.29 ems). The 2 width d of the central section 4 is 4 inches (10. 16 ems) and the width e of the outer sections 5 and 6 is 21 inches (6.35 ems). The height of the 2 central section 4 is 13-L inches (34.29 ems) since 2 this corresponds to b and the height f of the two outer sections 5 and 6 is 111 inches (30.16 ems). The maximum depth h of the sections 4, 5 and 6 is 2 inches (5.08 ems) and their depth j at the bottom -;,! inches (1.9 ems). The height of the side supports 3 is 11 -,! inches (30.16 cms) since this corresponds to f and their maximum depth k is 2-1inches (6. 35 ems).

2 In use, the back supporting cushion, being a loose cushion can be adjusted vertically so that the back of a sitter is most comfortably located against the central area 2.

In addition to having domestic use, cushions in accordance with the invention can also be used on car seats. However, in view of the space constraints in a car, a cushion having the dimensions set out above would probably be too large. Thus, for use as a car cushion the width a can be approximately the same but the height b is 8 inches (20.32 ems). The three sections 4, 5 and 6 all have the same height b of 81 inches 2 (21.59 ems) or the central area 2 can be formed of a single piece of material. The maximum depth h of the central area 2 is 11 inches (3.17 ems) and 4 the depth d at the bottom is 3- inches (1.9 ems).

4 The height f of the side supports 3 is 8 inches (20.32 ems) and their maximum depth is 1 -61 inches (4.76 ems).

As an alternative to the side supports 3 having the rather full curve at their upper ends they can have a shallower curve as shown in chain-dotted line at 8 in Figure 2.

Claims

1. A back supporting cushion for use as a loose cushion on seats, comprising a rigid backing sheet and a body of resilient material disposed against said backing sheet for location against the back of a sitter and having a central area which in its upward extension is convexly curved on its surface remote from the backing sheet and two upwardly extending side supports, one one each side of the central area and which project forwardly of the central area.

2. A back supporting cushion according to Claim 1, wherein said central area is in the form of three adjoining and vertically extending sections, the two outer sections being similar and the central section extending higher than the two outer sections.

3. A back supporting cushion according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said side supports are of a harder material than the central area.

4. A back supporting cushion according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the maximum depth h of the central area is in the range 3 to 5.5 ems, its maximum height b is in the range 21 to 35 ems and its width is of the order of 10 ems.

5. A back supporting cushion according to Claims 2 and 4, wherein said central section has a 2 GB 2 130 086 A 2 height b of the order of 34 ems and said two outer sections have a height f of the order of 30 ems.

6. A back supporting cushion according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said side supports have a maximum depth of the order of 6 ems.

7. A back supporting cushion according to Claims 5 and 6, wherein said side supports have a maximum height f of the order of 30 ems.

8. A back supporting cushion according to Claim 1 and having the shape shown in the accompanying drawings and the dimensions a to k specified in the aforegoing description.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1984. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

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