Patent Application
20160102468
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally body support structures and, more particularly, to an adjustable platform for providing support to the back of a user movable between in two distinct orientations.
2 . Description of the Prior Art
The necessity for professionals such as carpenters and plumbers to spend extended periods of time working in under cabinets and/or sinks is well established. Often, such professionals are required to lie on their back, facing up in the cabinet or at the bottom of the sink to perform their required tasks. A problem which still exists, however, is that there are presently few structures that provide an adjustable platform on which the professional can lay and which is comfortable and stable. Thus, there remains a need for an adjustable back support platform which can be positioned adjacent to cabinets and under sinks to support a user's body while lying underneath the structure. It would be helpful if such an adjustable back support platform could be selectively placed in either a ramp orientation or a horizontal orientation by the user. It would be additionally desirable for such an adjustable back support platform to include an attachment structure that enables it to be securely held against the edge of cabinet.
The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a back support platform adapted to be placed against a cabinet edge and span to the ground surface, allowing it to provide a support structure for a user's back. The primary components in Applicant's adjustable back support platform are a platform, attachment ledge and a hinged foot member. When in operation, the adjustable back support platform a user to lie on a flat surface under a cabinet or sink for extended periods. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.
An adjustable back support platform for supporting a user's body while the user lies on his back, facing up in a cabinet or towards the bottom of the sink to perform desired tasks. The adjustable back support platform comprises an elongated platform member having an attachment ledge attached at one end and a hinged foot member disposed on the other end. In this regard, the elongated platform member provides a means for supporting a user's body on a flat surface over two surfaces on distinct vertical places and the attachment ledge provides an attachment means for connecting to an elevated surface. The elongated platform member defines in the preferred embodiment a rectangular board, with the L shaped attachment ledge permanently attached to one end thereof such that the its top surface is on the same plane as the top surface of the platform member.
The hinged foot member, attached to the bottom surface of the platform member near the end opposite the end to which the attachment bracket is attached, hinges between a first position defined by the hinged foot member parallel with and positioned against the platform member and a second position defined by the hinged foot member perpendicular with and extending down from the platform member, thereby enabling the adjustable back support to be placed in two distinct orientations against a ledge. In this regard, the hinged foot member provides a foot means for selectively orienting the adjustable back support platform into either a horizontal orientation or a ramp orientation at a given time.
It is an object of this invention to provide an adjustable back support platform which can be positioned adjacent to cabinets and under sinks to support a user's body while lying underneath the structure.
It is another object of this invention to provide an adjustable back support platform selectively positionable in either a ramp orientation or a horizontal orientation by the user.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an adjustable back support platform that includes an attachment structure that enables it to be securely held against the edge of cabinet.
These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular
The attachment ledge 12 defines an L shaped member that is permanently attached to one end of the platform member 11 with a plurality of L brackets 14. The attachment ledge 12 is attached to the platform member 11 such that the its top surface is on the same plane as the top surface of the platform member 11.
Each L bracket 14 is attached to the platform member 11 through an elongated fastener 15 that passes through and engages both the L bracket 14 and the attachment ledge 12. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated fastener 15 defines a screw. Each L bracket 14 is also attached to the bottom of the attachment ledge 12, and in the preferred embodiment, an adhesive is used to affix the L brackets 14 to the attachment ledge 12.
The hinged foot member 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the platform member 11 near the end opposite the end to which the attachment bracket 12 is attached with a hinge 16. The hinge 16 enables the hinged foot member 13 to swing between a first position defined by the hinged foot member 13 parallel to and positioned against the platform member 11, as shown in
A foot attachment hook and look fastener system is included on the surface of the hinged foot member 13 and the platform member 11. The foot attachment hook and look fastener is defined by a fabric hook and loop fastener having a hook surface disposed 17 on the hinged foot member 13 and a loop surface 17′ disposed on the platform member 11. The foot attachment hook and look fastener allows the hinged foot member 13 to be removably held in place when the hinged foot member is placed in the first position, resisting inadvertent movement from such a position.
Referring now to
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
