Adjustable Relaxation Device

Abstract

An adjustable relaxation device has a substantially flat, cushioned body support having a rigid base frame and a cushioning pad and which can be inclined and tilted at various angles. Several movable supports are connected to the body support which are load-bearing and operable to contact and support a user in a comfortable position including left and right lateral recumbent lying positions, when the body support is in an inclined position. The cushioning pad may be composed of heat dissipating material and can include sculpted depressions and undulations designed to match to a users body when resting on the relaxation device. The supports can also include depressions and undulations designed to match to a user's body when sitting on the adjustable angled seat and resting against the back support and adjustable knee/lower-leg support.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to supportive furniture for use by individuals with specific positioning needs. More specifically, the invention relates to an adjustable relaxation device particularly suitable for pregnant and postnatal women.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of children are born in the U.S. every year. About 1 in every 3 babies is born via a cesarean-section procedure. In the final months of pregnancy and the several weeks after giving birth, naturally or via cesarean section especially, many women have trouble lying or sitting comfortably.

Pregnant women are often advised to sleep on their side halfway through their pregnancy. Existing options have the person lie on their side, parallel to the floor. Therefore, all force is on the person's side. Other options place the person in a traditional sitting position, e.g., sitting in a maternity chair, kitchen chair, or desk chair, wherein the person would experience most of the weight on their buttocks.

In addition, following a cesarean, women cannot sit up from a supine position (e.g., lying on their back, face up) because their stomach (and stomach muscles) are in the process of healing. Traditional beds and couches have no rails which make it very difficult and sometimes painful for those women with cesareans to try to get up.

Many products exist to assist such women in making themselves comfortable in the form of special chairs, pillows, and bedding. However, these products lack a complete, all-in-one solution for providing pregnant women and mothers who have recently delivered with the comfort they need and deserve.

Such products fail to provide a comfortable position to lie or sit in, such as placing users on their side, arranging a comfortable position for their legs and head, and providing additional support in needed locations on their body. Further, such products fail to facilitate comfortable use of their advantages, for example entering and exiting the sitting or lying position, which many women find especially difficult in the final weeks of pregnancy and after delivery given certain core muscle groups may have been compromised as part of the berthing or cesarean procedure, and positioning the user's body in the desired, comfortable position. Also, certain body parts often get sore from particular lying patterns often prescribed by doctors. Accordingly, there remains a need for a product that facilitates entering and exiting a comfortable sitting or lying position and adjusting for comfort based on a particular user's individual needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adjustable relaxation device to meet these needs. The relaxation device includes a flat, cushioned resting surface with several supports to facilitate placing users in a comfortable, supportive position which aims to redistribute weight from certain body parts to others. The several supports preferably include a back support, a seat/buttocks support, and an adjustable knee/lower-leg support. The resting surface preferably includes a rigid base frame operable to support a person and a cushioning pad affixed thereto. The cushioning pad may be composed of heat dissipating material and may employ sculpted depressions and undulations designed to match to a user's body when resting on the relaxation device.

A substantial portion of a person's weight is born by the bed and cushioning pad, However, the bed can incline and the inclined orientation of the device along with the configuration and position of the several supports serve to re-distribute some of the person's weight to the supports (for example to two or three of the supports) thereby reducing weight on any one location. For example, the inclined orientation and the configuration of the knee, buttocks and back supports can collectively provide support to the legs, buttocks and back of the person, respectively.

In addition, the inclined orientation of the device and the side-lying position of the user, and optionally rails, provides easier access to the resting position and back to the standing position because the person does not need to recline and return from a fully-horizontal position.

Furthermore, the lying position of the person provides a large (obtuse) angle between the upper legs and torso of the person which provides more room for the abdomen of the person, for example a pregnant women's stomach (and baby).

The several supports are preferably removable and adjustable among different positions to facilitate the most comfortable sitting or lying arrangement for the user. Adjustments can be made to allow users to sit or lie on either side of their body and/or to adjust the angle and position of their legs. Preferable embodiments of the relaxation device allow the repositioning of the several supports through the use of pegs affixed to the several supports that extend into and engage with machined holes provided in the rigid base frame of the resting surface. Holes in the cushioning pad aligned with the machined holes in the rigid base frame permit the pegs affixed to the several supports to pass through the cushioning pad and engage with the machined holes in the rigid base frame. Some embodiments employ means to cover the holes in the cushioned pad and rigid base frame when not in use to engage the several supports. While the peg-and-hole approach is one preferable way to reliably secure the several supports to the resting surface, other means are available as well as will be recognized by those of skill in the art.

The manner of securing the several supports to the resting surface must, however, ensure the safety of the user by ensuring the supports have sufficient strength and are sufficiently secure to support the user's weight.

In addition to the pegs or other manner for securing the several supports to the rigid base frame, the several supports also preferably employ cushioning on contact surfaces and may further be designed to comfortably fit the anatomy of a user of the relaxation device. For example, contact surfaces of the adjustable knee/lower-leg support may employ contours to match the rounded surface of a human lower leg. Likewise, the adjustable angled seat's contact surfaces may employ contours matching a person's buttocks and thighs. The back support also preferably has two padded contact surfaces that may be contoured to match a person's back. In some preferable embodiments, the back support may further employ a different angle on each of its contact surfaces. For example, the contact surface on one side of the back support may place the user at a 90 degree angle while the contact surface on the other side may allow the user to lean back at a 70 degree angle. The angles discussed herein are merely exemplary, and those of skill in the art will recognize the alternative arrangements available.

In some preferable embodiments of the several supports, the pegs may be removably affixable to each edge, allowing the several supports to be used in different directions, at different angles, etc. For example, if a user lying on their right side wishes to adjust the relaxation device to allow them to lie on their left side, it may be necessary to move the back support's pegs from one edge to the other in order to permit the user to continue to use the contact surface of the back support that is angled to allow them to lean back. Using removably affixable pegs capable of affixing to either edge of the several supports allows users to arrange the adjustable support to fit their needs, accomplishing certain objectives of the invention.

Some preferable embodiments may further employ a detachable pillow located where the user's head rests when the adjustable support is in use. The pillow may be removably attached to the cushioning pad through known means, such as Velcro, zipper, buttons, snaps, etc. In some embodiments, no pillow/pillow attachment is included, and users may simply use a conventional pillow to support their head when resting on the relaxation device.

The relaxation device is both adjustable in its placement of the several supports and in its ability to adjust the angle of inclination , and a roll angle of the resting surface relative to the ground. This adjustability provides for easier access by users with limited mobility, accomplishing certain objectives of the invention. To adjust the resting surface's angle relative to the ground, the relaxation device can include an inclination actuator and a roll actuator which are, respectively, operable to adjust and fix the angle of inclination and roll (tilt) angle of the device.

Some preferable embodiments also employ rails to assist a user in getting onto and off of the relaxation device. Rails may, for example, be affixed to the side edges of the rigid base frame, where they are accessible by hand to users lying on either side of their body. The users may thus use the rails to assist them when adjusting themselves for comfort and/or when getting on or off the relaxation device. Additional rails for assistance may be affixed to other portions of the rigid base frame as well, such as the top and bottom edges, etc., and some embodiments may also include a cutout near the bottom edge to facilitate getting closer to the resting surface when entering and exiting the relaxation device.

As those of skill in the art will appreciate, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and arrangements described above. Other objects of the present invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of an embodiment of the adjustable relaxation device, showing the body support in an inclined position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing a person lying on the body support in a left lateral recumbent position, with hips and knees flexed;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing a person lying on the body support in a right lateral recumbent position, with hips and knees flexed;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing a configuration of the several supports;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing an alternate configuration of the several supports;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing a further alternate configuration of the several supports;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing the body support in an inclined position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing the body support in a lesser inclined position;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing the body support in a horizontal position;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing the body support in a longitudinally inclined and laterally horizontal position;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing the body support in a longitudinally inclined and laterally tilted position;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views from the back of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view from the back of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 1, showing the roll actuator;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the front of an embodiment of the adjustable relaxation device, showing a first configuration of the buttock and lower leg supports;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view from the front of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 17, showing a second configuration of the buttock and lower leg supports;

FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view from the front of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 17, showing a link for adjusting the position of the buttock and lower leg supports;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view from the back of the adjustable relaxation device of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the technology by way of example, not by way of limitation of the principles of the invention. This description will enable one skilled in the art to make and use the technology, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize alternative variations and arrangements, and the present technology is not limited to those embodiments described hereafter.

The adjustable relaxation device 10 is designed to comfortably and safely support a body of a person thereon at various angles of inclination and/or tilt, and in various lying positions, including side-lying positions such as lateral recumbent lying positions.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, in an embodiment the adjustable relaxation device 10 includes a base 12 which can support the device on a horizontal support surface, such as a floor surface. A body support 14 is movably connected to the base. The body support 14 can have a rigid frame 16 and cushioning pad 18 affixed to a top surface 19 of the frame 16.

The cushioning pad 18 and/or frame 16 can have depressions and undulations (not shown) matching the user's body to improve the user's comfortability when sitting/lying on the relaxation device. For example, in some preferable embodiments a specific sculptured padding area may be provided where a belly of a person would be positioned, as depicted. The cushioning pad is preferably composed of heat dissipating material. The relaxation device 10 may include a detachable pillow 20 or a person can use a conventional pillow on which to rest their head while using the relaxation device.

The body support 14 has proximal and distal ends 22, 24 and left and right sides 26, 28. The body support 14 can include left and right hand rails 30, 32 connected to frame 16 along the left and right sides 26, 28 of the body support. The rails 30, 32 may also or alternatively be located at the proximal or distal ends of the body support 14. Additional preferable features may include a safety belt, buckle, or strap (not shown) that fastens around the user's body to help secure the user to the relaxation device and a food serving tray (not shown) that attaches to the frame 14 and is maneuverable to position in front of a user around chest or waist height.

The body support 14 has a longitudinal axis (X) which extends between the ends 22, 24 of the body support 14 parallel to and along a center of the body support 14 (e.g., equidistant the right and left sides). A lateral axis (Y) is parallel to the body support 14 and extends between the left and right sides 26, 28 of the body support 14 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and equidistant the ends 22, 24 of the body support 14. A normal axis (Z) is orthogonal to the longitudinal (X) and lateral (Y) axes and extends outwardly (upwardly) from the body support 14. The body support 14 is sized to support a full body of a person thereon. For example, the body support 14 can have a longitudinal length of 6-7 feet and a lateral width of 3-4 feet, or other suitable dimensions.

The relaxation device 10 includes several moveable supports which can include a back support 34, a buttock support 36, and lower leg support 38.

The back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 can be connected (or connectable) to the body support 14 in a predetermined position or positions and, when connected, are load-bearing and are operable to contact and support the associated back, buttock, and lower legs (or at least the anterior portions thereof of the lower legs) of a person lying on the body support 14 in at least a lateral recumbent position. A gap 40 of preferably at least about 6-8 inches exists between the buttock support 36 and 38 to allow passage of the lower legs of the person therethrough.

The several supports 34, 36, 38 are preferably movable to provide a user with various sitting and lying positions when using the relaxation device. For example, the several supports are preferably moveable to at least two positions or configurations, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. In a first (or left lying) configuration (FIG. 4), the several supports are configured (secured) to allow a person to lie on the body support 14 in a left lateral recumbent lying position, with their hips and knees flexed and with an obtuse angle θ₁ (in the X-Y plane) formed between the upper torso 108 and the upper legs 110, while being supported by the several supports and the body support . In a second (right lying) configuration (FIG. 5), the same several supports are configured to allow a person to lie in a similar but reversed position, specifically a right lateral recumbent lying position, again with an obtuse angle θ₁, formed between the upper torso 108 and the upper legs 110 and with hips and knees flexed. In both the first and second configurations, the several supports are positioned and adapted to support the partial weight of the person applied thereto in various inclined positions, along with the body support 14.

The several supports 34, 36, 38 each have a contact surface 42, 44, 46 which extends away from the body support 14 and is positioned to contact and support at least the back, buttock and anterior portions of the lower legs, respectively, while the person is lying on the body support in a left or right lateral recumbent lying position (depending on the configuration of the supports), with hip and knee joints flexed. The contact surfaces 42, 44, 46 can extend away from the body support 14 at a fixed angle of substantially 90 degrees or parallel to the normal axis (Z). However, other fixed or variable angles of the contact surfaces are contemplated.

Referring to Ag. 4. In the first (left) configuration of the several supports 34, 36, 38, the contact surface 42 of the back support 34 can be spaced from the longitudinal axis (X) of the body support 14 in a first lateral direction (i.e., to the left of the longitudinal axis as viewed from above the device), all or at least a majority of the contact surface 44 of the buttock support 36 can be spaced from the longitudinal axis (X) in the first lateral direction, and all or at least a majority of the contact surface 46 of the lower leg support 38 can be spaced from the longitudinal axis (X) in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction (i.e., to the right of the longitudinal axis).

Referring to FIG. 5, in the second (right) configuration of the several supports 34, 36, 38, the positions of the several supports can be reversed as compared to the first (right) configuration. That is, the positions of the supports can be mirrored about the longitudinal axis (X). For example, in the second configuration, the contact surface 42 of the back support 34 can be spaced from the longitudinal axis (X) of the body support 14 in the second lateral direction (to the right), all or at least a majority of the contact surface 44 of the buttock support 36 can be spaced from the longitudinal axis (X) in the second lateral direction (to the right), and all or at least a majority of the contact surface 46 of the lower leg support 38 can be spaced from the longitudinal axis (X) in the first lateral direction (to the left).

In the above first and second configurations, the lateral axis (Y) can be disposed between the back support 34 and the buttock support 36, the contact surface 46 of the lower leg support 38 can be disposed between the proximal end 22 of the body support 14 and the lateral axis (Y), and the contact surface 44 of the buttock support 36 can be disposed between the lower leg support 38 and the lateral axis (Y).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first and second configurations, the contact surface 42 of the back support 34 can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the body support 14, the contact surface 44 of the buttock support 36 can be disposed at an acute angle relative to, and directed toward, the longitudinal axis (X), and the contact surface 46 of the lower leg support 38 can be disposed at an acute angle relative to, and directed toward, the longitudinal axis (X), as viewed from above the body support 14, parallel to the normal axis (Z). The support surfaces 44, 46 of the buttock support 36 and the lower leg support 38 can be disposed substantially perpendicular to each other (e.g., 90 degrees +/− 0-10 degrees).

The above described configurations of the several supports 34, 36, 38 (or combinations thereof) allows the person to lie on the body support 14 in the left or right lateral recumbent lying positions, with hips and knees flexed while being supported by the several supports and the body support 14.

The back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 are preferably substantially rigid but can be composed of heat dissipating material and employ cushioning at least on their contact surfaces 42. 44. 46, or in some cases completely surrounding the several supports. The several supports can also be designed to comfortably fit the person's body, providing depressions, undulations, angles, etc. that match the user's body when they are using the relaxation device. For example, the back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 can have indentations and undulations matching a user's buttocks and thighs, knees and anterior lower legs, and back, respectively.

The back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 can include means for selectively attaching to and detaching from the body support 14. For example, the several supports can include one or more (for example two) mounting pegs 48 that extend from one side edge of each of the several supports and are insertable into mounting holes 50 in the frame 16 of the body support 14.

The mounting pegs 48 preferably fit closely within the mounting holes 50 and positively locate the several supports 34, 36, 38 relative to the body support 14 such that the several supports are able to bear a substantial load and resist body forces applies thereto (for example forces normal to the contact surfaces 42, 44, 46 thereof) without substantial movement of the supports relative to the body support, other than compression of the contact surface. As an example, the mounting pegs 48 and the frame 16 can be composed of or comprise metal and the mounting holes 50 can be machined out of a body of the frame 16 at a tight tolerance to the mounting pegs 48.

The cushioned pad 18 preferably includes through holes 52 that line up with the mounting holes 50 to allow the mounting pegs 48 to pass through and engage with the frame 16 of the body support 14. The mounting holes 50 on the frame 16 and corresponding through holes 52 in the cushioned pad 18 are located so as to provide the several supports with multiple positions the user can choose from for added comfort, as discussed herein. For example, the body support 14 can include two pairs of mounting holes 50 for each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 such that each support can be connected to the body support in two different positions, as discussed herein.

The cushioning pad 18 can be removable from the frame 16, and more than one pad may be included with the relaxation device 10. For example, the relaxation device 10 can include two different removable cushioning pads 16, each one having through holes 52 aligning with the mounting holes 50 in the frame 16 that are in use when the several supports are in one of the left and right configurations as described above. Such removable cushioning pads 18 can cover the mounting holes in the frame 16 that are not in use, and any depressions and undulations in the pad can be designed to match the users' anticipated body position on their left or right side. Further, the pads may be attached to and detached from the frame 16 by conventional, known means, such as a zipper, buttons, snaps, Velcro, or otherwise.

The mounting pegs 48 can be fixed to the associated support 34, 36, 38 or can be removably affixable thereto. For example, the mounting pegs 48 can be connected to either of two side edges of the associated support. This allows the user more flexibility in changing the positioning and angle of the several supports. For example, each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 can include sockets (not shown) on opposing side edges to removably receive the mounting pegs 48 therein. In this way, the pegs 48 are capable of engagement with either side edge of the associated support and with the mounting holes 50 in the frame 14, providing significant flexibility in locating and positioning the several supports.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, in an embodiment each of the buttock support 36 and lower leg support 38 can be connected to the body support 14 in at least three positions (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) for a right lateral recumbent lying position, and complementary (i.e., symmetrical or mirrored) positions are available for left lateral recumbent lying positions. To accommodate the various positions, the body support 14 can include a plurality of mounting holes 50 arranged to allow the several supports to be connected to the body support 14 in a plurality of configurations, As can be appreciated, the positions of the several supports depicted in FIGS. 6-8 can be mixed to provide various permutations or combinations of configurations of the supports.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, an inclination of the body support 14 relative to the horizontal support surface can be fixed (i.e., not adjustable) or the inclination can be adjustable and fixable relative to the horizontal support surface between various positions. For example the various positions can include a horizontal orientation (i.e., zero degrees incline) (FIG. 11), an intermediate inclined position (e,g., 10 degrees) (Fig, 10) and a maximal inclined position (e.g., 40 degrees) (FIG. 9), and all positions therebetween. In the maximal inclined position (FIG. 9), the longitudinal axis (X) of the body support 14 is at substantial angle relative to the horizontal support surface and the distal end 24 of the body support 14 is higher than the proximal end 22.

The ability to adjust the angle of inclination of the body support 14, combined with the presence and positioning of the several body supports allows the user to vary and adjust the distribution of body weight particularly as been the person's side, buttocks and lower legs. As can be appreciated, higher angles of inclination of the body support 14 will decrease weight on the person's side while increasing the weight distributed to the buttocks and lower legs, whereas lower angles of inclination will have the opposite result, specifically increasing the weight distributed on the person's side and decreasing weight distributed to the buttocks and lower legs.

The body support 14 can be pivotally connected to the base 12 by a pivot 74 and can pivot relative to the base 12 about a pivot axis (P) (FIG. 9) which can be located adjacent (for example below) the proximal end 22 of the body support 14.

The device 10 can include one or more pivot actuators 54, such as a powered or passive hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, which is operable to adjust and fix the angle of inclination of the body support 14 relative to the base 12 and horizontal support surface. The pivot actuator 54 can have a lower end 56 (FIG. 14) which is connected to the base 12 by a first hinge 82 (for example to a cross bar 60 of the base 12 spanning between two longitudinal arms 62 thereof) and can have an upper end 58 which is connected (directly or indirectly) to the frame 16 of the body support 14 by a second hinge 84. The pivot actuator 54 is operable to expand and contract to (preferably infinitely) adjust the inclination of the body support 14 and can be controlled by a control device, such as pivot control pedal 64, or another suitable controller. Alternatively, the angle of inclination of the body support 14 can be adjustable to a plurality of predefined inclinations, such as 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal support surface, or other suitable angles.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, a roll (tilt) orientation of the body support 14 can be (preferably infinitely) adjustable and fixable in various positions, in addition to or instead of adjusting the angle of inclination of the body support 14. The various roll orientations can include a zero roll orientation where the lateral axis (Y) of the body support 14 is parallel to the horizontal support surface (FIG. 12), and left (FIG. 13) and right (not shown) limit roll orientations where the lateral axis (Y) is tipped downwardly on the left and right side of the body support, respectively, at a non-parallel angle relative to the horizontal support surface (for example 30 degrees), and various roll positions therebetween. Preferably, the roll orientation of the body support 14 can be adjustable about a roll axis (R) (FIG. 9) which is parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the body support 14 and which is disposed below the frame 16 (i.e., on a side of the frame opposite the cushioning pad 18 and between the X-axis and the horizontal support surface),

The device 10 can include one or more roll actuators 66 operable to adjust and fix the roll orientation of the body support 14. The roll actuator 66 can include a tube 68 (e.g., outer pipe) which is fixedly connected to an underside 70 of the frame 16 concentrically to the roll axis (R). A cylinder 72 (e.g., an inner pipe) is concentrically and closely rotatably disposed within the tube 68 and is connected to the base 12 by pivot 74. The tube 68 and cylinder 72 cooperate to allow the frame 16 and body support 14 to roll about the roll axis (R). A bottom end 88 of the cylinder 72 can be connected to the base 12 via the pivot 74 to allow the body support 14 to pivot relative to the base 12 about the pivot axis (P) to adjust the angle of inclination.

The tube 68 can include a window 80 therethrough and the top 58 of the pivot actuator 54 can be connected to an upper end 86 of the cylinder 72 by the second hinge 84, through the window. The window 80 is sized to allow the tube 68 and frame 16 assembly to rotate relative to the pivot actuator 54 between the right and left roll limit orientations, and the window 80 is preferably operable to prevent over-rotation of the body support 14 beyond the limits.

The roll actuator 66 can include a roll lock 76 disposed over the tube 68 and operable to selectively permit and prevent rotation of the tube 68 (and frame 16/body support 14) relative to the cylinder 72. For example, the roll lock 76 can include a pin 106 (FIG. 16) spring-biased in an engaged position, or a brake (not shown), or other suitable structure which can engage and disengage with the cylinder 72 to selectively permit and prevent roll of the body support 14. The roll actuator 66 and/or roll lock 76 can be controlled by a control device, such as roll control pedal 78. Alternatively, the roll actuator 66 can be controlled by a powered or electronic device such as a motor or hydraulic or pneumatic device, or another suitable device.

To facilitate roll (tilt) of the body support 14 a low (or zero) inclinations (e.g., see FIG. 13), a lateral width (Y axis) of the proximal (lower) end 22 of the body support 14 can be reduced relative to the remainder of the body support. The reduced width allows for roll or tilt of the body support 14 at low or zero inclinations without causing the body support 14 to contact or interfere with the horizontal support surface (floor). For example, each of the two corners 112 of the proximal (lower) end 22 of the body support 14 can be substantially rounded in the aforementioned X-Y plane of the body support 14, for example with a radius of 12-18 inches, to avoid contact with the horizontal support surface during roll. Other configurations or shapes are also suitable for this purpose, such as a right-angle, diagonal or curved section removed from the corner.

The ability to adjust the roll (tilt) of the body support 14, combined with the presence and positioning of the several body supports allows the user to vary and adjust the distribution of body weight particularly as been the person's side and back. As can be appreciated, tilting the body support 14 toward (and thus lowering) the back support 34 will tend decrease weight on the person's side and lower legs while increasing the weight distributed to the back and buttocks, whereas tilting the body support 14 away from (and thus raising) the back support 34 will have the opposite result, specifically increasing the weight distributed on the person's side and lower legs and decreasing weight distributed to the back and buttocks.

Referring to FIGS. 17-20, the device 10 can include an adjustment mechanism 90 for adjusting and fixing a position of one or more of the back, buttock and lower leg supports 34, 36, 38 for. For example, the adjustment mechanism 90 can be operable to adjust and fix the buttock and lower leg supports 36, 28 in at least a first position where the contact surfaces 44, 46 of buttock support 34 and lower leg support 36 are parallel to the lateral axis (Y) and longitudinal axis (X), respectively, as viewed from above the body support 14 along the normal axis (Z) (e.g., FIG. 17) and a second position where the contact surfaces 44, 46 of buttock support 34 and lower leg support 36 are at, for example, 45 degrees relative to the lateral axis (Y) and longitudinal axis (X), respectively, (FIG. 18). The buttock and lower leg supports 36, 38 can be connected to the frame 16 by a link 92 which is pivotally connected to the frame 16 by a link pivot 94 such that the link 92 can rotate within a predefined range in a plane parallel to the body support 14 (i.e., parallel to a plane defined by axes X & Y). The buttock support 36 can be connected to a proximal end 96 of the link 92 adjacent to the link pivot 94 and the lower leg support 38 can be connected to a distal end 98 of the link 92. A link actuator 100, such as a motor or hydraulic or pneumatic device, can be connected to the link pivot 94 to adjust the position of the link 92 and supports, A link actuator control 102 and control interface 104 can control the link actuator 100.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and arrangements of parts, features, and the like, it is not limited to these embodiments or arrangements. Indeed, modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art, all of which are inferentially and inherently included in these teachings.

Claims

1. An adjustable relaxation device, comprising: a base operable to rest on a horizontal support surface;a body support connected to the base, the body support being operable to support a body of a person lying in at least a lateral recumbent position;the body support having first and second ends and having first and second sides extending between the first and second ends;a longitudinal axis parallel to and along a center of the body support and extending between the first and second ends of the body support, a lateral axis parallel to the body support and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending between the first and second sides of the body support, and a normal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal and lateral axes;an inclination of the body support being adjustable and fixable relative to the horizontal support surface between at least first and second inclined positions, where in the first inclined position, the longitudinal axis is at a first angle relative to the horizontal support surface, and in the second inclined position, the longitudinal axis is at a second angle relative to the horizontal support surface where the second angle is substantially greater than the first angle and where the second end of the body support is higher than the first end of the body support;a back support fixedly connected to the body support and operable to support a back of the person lying on the body support in the at least lateral recumbent position;a buttock support fixedly connected to the body support and operable to support a buttock of the person lying on the body support in the at least lateral recumbent position;a lower leg support fixedly connected to the body support and operable to support anterior portions of lower legs of the person lying on the body support in the at least lateral recumbent position;a gap between the buttock support and the lower leg support, and the gap being operable to receive the lower leg portions of the person therethrough, lying on the body support in the at least lateral recumbent position;the back, buttock and lower leg supports having contact surfaces extending away from the body support and positioned to contact and support at least the back, buttock and anterior portions of lower legs of the person, respectively, while the person is lying on the body support in the at least lateral recumbent position with hip and knee joints flexed and with the lower legs of the person disposed in the gap between the buttock and lower leg supports; andthe back, buttock and lower leg supports being fixed relative to the body support and being operable to support forces exerted thereon by the body of the person in the first and second inclined positions of the body support.

2. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 1, wherein: a position of at least one of the back, buttock and lower leg supports being adjustable and fixable relative to the body support between at least first and second positions.

3. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 3, wherein: each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports having a least left and right configurations;in the left configuration, the contact surfaces of the back, buttock and lower leg supports are positioned to contact and support at least the back, buttock and anterior portions of the lower legs of the person, respectively, while the person is lying on the body support in at least a left lateral recumbent position with hip and knee joints flexed; andin the right configuration, the contact surfaces of the back, buttock and lower leg supports are positioned to contact and support at least the back, buttock and anterior portions of the lower legs of the person, respectively, while the person is lying on the body support in at least a right lateral recumbent position with hip and knee joints flexed.

4. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 3, wherein: in the left configuration: the contact surface of the back support is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body support in a first lateral direction;at least a majority of the contact surface of the buttock support is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body support in the first lateral direction; andat least a majority of the contact surface of the lower leg support is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body support in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction; andin the right configuration; the contact surface of the back support is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body support in the second lateral direction;at least a majority of the contact surface of the buttock support is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body support in the second lateral direction; andat least a majority of the contact surface of the lower leg support is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body support in the first lateral direction.

5. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 4, wherein: the lateral axis is disposed between the back support and the buttock support; andin the right and left configurations:the contact surface of the lower leg support is disposed between the first end of the body support and the lateral axis; and the contact surface of the buttock support is disposed between the lower leg support and the lateral axis.

6. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 5, wherein: in the right and left configurations: the contact surface of the back support is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body support;the contact surface of the buttock support is disposed at an angle relative to, and is directed toward, the longitudinal axis of the body support; andthe contact surface of the lower leg support is disposed at an angle relative to, and is directed toward, the longitudinal axis of the body support.

7. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 1, wherein: the body support is pivotally connected to the base and is operable to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis disposed adjacent the first end of the body support.

8. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 7, further comprising: a pivot actuator connected to the base and the body support;the pivot actuator being operable to extend and retract to adjust the inclination of the body support.

9. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 8, further comprising: a roll orientation of the body support being adjustable and fixable relative to the horizontal support surface between at least first and second roll orientations, where in the first roll orientation, the lateral axis of the body support is parallel to the horizontal support surface, and in the second roll orientation, the lateral axis is at a non-parallel angle relative to the horizontal support surface.

10. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 9, further comprising: a roll actuator operable to adjust and fix the roll orientation of the body support.

11. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 2, further comprising: at least one of the back, buttock and lower leg supports having at least one outwardly-extending mounting peg; andthe body support having at least two mounting holes for the at least one of the back, buttock and lower leg supports and the at least two mounting holes being adapted to closely receive the mounting peg.

12. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 11, further comprising: each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports having at least one outwardly-extending mounting peg;the body support having at least two mounting holes for each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports, and each mounting hole being adapted to closely receive the mounting peg of the associated back, buttock and lower leg support, whereby each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports can be connected to the body support in at least one of two predetermined positions.

13. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 12, further comprising: each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports having at least two outwardly-extending mounting pegs;the body support having at least two pairs of mounting holes adapted to closely receive the mounting pegs for each of the back, buttock and lower leg supports whereby each of the supports can be connected to the body support in at least one of two predetermined positions.

14. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 2, further comprising: the at least one of the back, buttock and lower leg supports being connected to the body support by at least one link; andthe at least one link being operable to adjust and fix the one back, buttock and lower leg support in the at least first and second positions.

15. The adjustable relaxation device of claim 14, wherein: the buttock and lower leg supports are connected to the body support by the at least one link; andthe at least one link is operable to adjust and fix each of the buttock and lower leg support in the at least first and second positions.