Patent Application
20190038031
This invention relates to a device for use when sitting in order to improve one's seated posture. This invention also relates to an associated exercise method utilizing the device.
Many problems associated with back and hip pain arise from the common posture of sitting with one leg crossed over the other. In this posture, the sitter's pelvis is askew, disposed in a posterior tilt. On the side of the lower leg, the front of the hips compresses the femoral nerve, artery and veins bilaterally reducing or interfering with circulation to the lower extremities. On the side of the upper leg, a lateral bending compresses the lumbar spine and nerves. Stress is placed on the hip at that side, including the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle. In addition, the femur is adducted. Pain sometimes appear in the foot of the upper leg. Thus, sitting with crossed legs can lead to back pain, hip pain, and/or sciatica.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for use by an individual to improve seated posture. The device is used, for instance, while working at a computer where the torso is typically leaning forward to view the screen and type.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device which during use thereof makes it at least practically impossible to cross the legs.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device and an associated method of sitting that facilitates anteversion of the pelvis. These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the drawings and descriptions herein. Although every feature of the invention is attained in at least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any one embodiment that achieves all of the objects of the invention.
A device for facilitating better seated posture comprises one elongate platform with a front “pommel” type design that is similar to what is used in a horse riding saddle.
A seat cushion or sitting-posture improvement device in accordance with the present invention comprises a body of resiliently compressible material, the body having a first end and a second end, where the first end has a first width and a first height and the second end has a second width and a second height, the first width being substantially smaller than the second width. Preferably, but not necessarily, the first height (front end) is greater than the second height (rear end). The second width is sufficiently large so that a rear end portion of the body including the second end is engageable with a user's buttocks (and particularly with the sit bones thereof), while the first width is sufficiently small so that a front end portion of the body including the first end is insertable between a user's thighs adjacent the user's pelvis. The first width and the first height are sufficiently large to prevent the user from comfortably crossing the user's legs when the user is sitting on the rear end portion with the front end portion inserted between the user's thighs adjacent the user's pelvis.
A preferred feature of the invention is the tapered configuration of the rear end portion of the body that permits the user to adjust the position of the seat cushion or sitting device relative to the user's buttocks so that the ischial tuberosities or sit bones are disposed on or in contact with the rear end portion while peripheral regions or outer sides of the user's buttocks, outwardly lateral of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones, are less compressed inasmuch as they likely rest on an underlying seat surface rather than on the seat cushion or sitting device of the invention, with most of the user's sitting weight being transferred to the underlying horizontal support or seat surface via the sitting device.
More particularly, the rear end portion of the seat cushion or sitting-posture improvement device has two opposed upper edges extending from the second end towards the front end portion and oriented at an acute angle to one another. Concomitantly, the rear end portion having a width dimension extending between the two opposed upper edges that decreases in a direction from the second end to the front end portion. This tapered design enables users who have different distances between their ischial tuberosities or sit bones to position their buttocks on the device near the edges of the rear end portion, while allowing the outer or lateral portions of the buttocks to rest relatively uncompressed on the underlying support surface. Most of the user's weight is transferred from the ischial tuberosities or sit bones through the cushion or device of the invention to an underlying chair seat.
Pursuant to further features of the present invention, the front end portion of the seat cushion or sitting-posture improvement device is contiguous, and continuous or integral, with the rear end portion on one side and terminates at the first end on an opposite side, while the front end portion has a lower or bottom surface that is rectangular on three sides. Also, the rear end portion is contiguous, and continuous or integral, with the front end portion on one side and terminates at the second end on an opposite side, the rear end portion having a lower or bottom surface that has a truncated triangular shape. Where the front end portion has a first upper surface and the rear end portion has a second upper surface, the first upper surface preferably slopes downwardly from a point proximate the first end towards the rear end portion, while the second upper surface slopes downwardly from the second end towards the front end portion. The two upper surfaces join to one another via a smoothly continuous bight section to form a single continuous upper surface.
The seat cushion body has a pommel or post at the first end, the pommel or post being part of the front end portion. The first height is of the pommel or post.
Pursuant to features of a specific embodiment of the invention, the front end portion including the pommel or post has two first planar side walls extending from the first end to the rear end portion, and the first planar side walls extend in parallel relation to one another. As indicated above, the rear end portion preferably has two second planar side walls extending from the second end towards the front end portion, with these two second planar sidewalls being oriented at an acute angle to one another. Thus the rear end portion has a tapered width dimension that decreases in a direction from the second end to the front end portion.
The rear end portion may have a substantially flat or planar upper surface, the substantially flat or planar upper surface being inclined downwardly in a direction from the second end towards the front end portion.
The pommel or post may have a convexly arcuate upper surface that is continuous with the sloping upper surface of the front end portion of the device.
It is contemplated that the cushion body has a bottom surface that is configured for engagement with a chair seat surface, and that the rear end portion having a substantially flat or planar upper surface.
A kit in accordance with the present invention includes the seat cushion or posture-improvement device described above and additionally includes an auxiliary cushion adapted to engage and support a user's buttocks in the regions of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones while not supporting the user's buttocks in peripheral regions to the outer sides of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones. The additional device is smaller and more easily transportable for use on different chair seats.
A method utilizing the seat cushion or posture-improvement device comprises placing the seat cushion on a horizontal support surface and sitting on the rear end portion so that ischial tuberosities or sit bones of the user engage the rear end portion while peripheral regions of the user's buttocks to outer sides of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones are not in contact with the rear end portion and so that the front end portion is located between the user's thighs and proximate the user's pelvic bone or crotch area.
More generally, the method comprises placing the seat cushion on a horizontal support surface and sitting on the rear end portion with the front end portion located between the user's thighs.
The rear end portion of the seat cushion or sitting device is low and the upper surface thereof has a gentle rise to the second end or back edge. Between the pommel or rounded post at the forward end and the gently raised rear edge, the front end portion of the device exhibits a long gently concave depression or upper surface.
This device will prevent the user's body from degrading owing to poor posture. The improvement in posture results in better support for the internal pelvic organs. The improved posture prevents a tucked pelvis—the typical seated position. Tucking the pelvis puts too much pressure on the Kegel muscle during prolonged sitting which can lead to organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in women.
The above-described device may be included in a two-element kit where the other element is preferably a small rectangular cushion with a width that accommodates or supports the user on the user's ischial tuberosities or sit bones while not supporting the user's buttocks in peripheral regions to the outer sides of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones.
In a less preferred embodiment of the invention, the ancillary cushion element is a wedge that may sit on top of the upper surface of the pommel-exhibiting seat cushion or sitting device to antevert the pelvic region. The wedge, if used, may be introduced gradually, being inserted beneath the buttocks, narrow end forward. The more forward the wedge is disposed, the greater the anteversion of the pelvis. A gradually increasing degree of insertion, over many sessions or days of use, enables the user to become accustomed to the tilt forward.
The present invention provides a method for enhancing seated posture during desk work at a computer or even while seated for eating. Also the present method enables one to “find” the pelvic floor—which is necessary for exercise to strengthen it that induce micro movements and require proproioception and body awareness that is missing in most people. Issues with the pelvic floor includes how to feel it; after squeezing the “pommel” portion of the seating device by using the adductors and all the global moves of the pelvis, hips and core the sitter can “let go” and then by comparison do the micro moves.
Where a planar upper surface of the wedge is placed in contact with the user's buttocks, the wedge pillow will lift the buttocks so that in seated posture the pelvis can move to a slightly anterior position which enables the sitter to be more balanced and allow the upper body to open and feel lighter.
A sitting device or cushion in accordance with the present invention is designed to enable a user to retrain his or body to undo or at least partially reverse damage from poor seated posture. When used as described herein the sitting device or cushion improves standing posture, lifts and lightens the upper body, energizes the breathing, and activates the core abdominals.
The present invention contemplates that 30 minutes of daily use will retrain the body so that the user can sit comfortably with legs uncrossed. The device weighs as little as three ounces but supports the weight of the torso.
In a preferred embodiment, the sitting device or cushion lifts only the SITTING bones, not the entire buttocks. The peripheral regions of the buttocks drape down to the underlying seat or chair surface, but the weight is primarily supported via the cushion or sitting device of the invention. This frees up the circulation in the buttocks areas and results in part in the revitalization of the body during sitting and in the upright postures of standing and walking.
As depicted in
Device 10 comprises a block or body of resiliently compressible material, for instance of polymeric (e.g., PVA) foam material, with a forward end 16 that has a first width w1 and a first height h1 and a back end 18 that has a second width w2 and a second height h2. The first width w1 is substantially less that the second width w2, while the first height h1 is substantially greater than the second height h2. Height h1 is exemplarily between 3 and 5 inches, whereas height h2 need be no larger than one inch. Width w1 is typically between 3 inches and 5 inches, whereas width w2 is between five inches and 12 inches.
In the plan view of
In use the pommel or rounded post 14 is a vertical projection that is disposed between the thighs and adjacent the pelvis. Pommel or post 14 extends fully across width w1 and has a uniform transverse cross-section, shown in
Body 12 has a substantially planar (or slightly convex) bottom surface 34, pommel or post 14 projecting from a side of body 12 opposite bottom surface 34. Body 12 has two planar side walls 30 and 32 extending from forward end 16 to back end 18.
Device 10 will prevent the user's body from degrading owing to poor posture. The improvement in posture results in better support for the internal pelvic organs. The improved posture prevents a tucked pelvis —the typical seated position. Tucking the pelvis puts too much pressure on the Kegel muscle during prolonged sitting which can lead to organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in women.
Device 10 may be included in a two-element kit also including a wedge 26 depicted in
As depicted in
Rear end portion 108 of the seat body or cushion 100 has a tapered configuration, tapering down from rear end 104 towards front end portion 106 that permits the user to adjust the position of the seat cushion or sitting device 100 relative to the user's buttocks so that the ischial tuberosities or sit bones are disposed on or in contact with the rear end portion 108 while peripheral regions or outer sides of the user's buttocks, outwardly lateral of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones, are less compressed inasmuch as they rest on an underlying seat or other horizontal surface rather than on the seat cushion or sitting device 100.
More particularly, rear end portion 108 of the seat cushion or sitting-posture improvement device 100 has two opposed upper edges 110 and 112 extending from second end 104 (particularly from an upper edge 111 thereof) towards front end portion 106 and oriented at an acute angle to one another. Concomitantly, rear end portion 108 has a width dimension WW extending between the two opposed upper edges 110 and 112 that decreases in a direction from second end 104 toward front end portion 106. This tapered design enables users who have different distances between their ischial tuberosities or sit bones to position their buttocks on the sitting device 100 near edges 110 and 112 of rear end portion 108, while allowing the outer or lateral portions of the buttocks to rest relatively uncompressed on the underlying support surface. Most of the user's weight is transferred from the ischial tuberosities or sit bones through the cushion or sitting device 100 to an underlying chair seat.
Front end portion 106 of seat cushion or sitting-posture improvement device 100 is contiguous, and continuous or integral, with rear end portion 108 on one side and terminates at first end 102 on an opposite side. Front end portion has a lower or bottom surface 114 that is rectangular on three sides or edges 114a, 114b, 114c. Also, rear end portion 108 is contiguous, and continuous or integral, with front end portion 106 on one side and terminates at second or rear end 104 on an opposite side. Rear end portion 108 has a lower or bottom surface 116 that has a truncated triangular shape with three peripheral edges or sides 116a, 116b, 116c. It is contemplated that the lower or bottom surface 114, 116 of seat cushion body or sitting device 100 is configured for engagement with a chair seat surface.
Where front end portion 106 has an upper surface 106u and the rear end portion 108 has an upper surface 108u, upper surface 106u preferably slopes downwardly from a point proximate the first end 102 towards rear end portion 108, while upper surface 108u slopes downwardly from end 104 (or edge 111) towards front end portion 106. Upper surfaces 106u and 108u join to one another via a smoothly continuous bight section 118 to form a single continuous upper surface (not separately designated).
Seat cushion body or sitting device 100 has a pommel or post 120 at first end 102, the pommel or post being part of front end portion 106. Height H1 is of the pommel or post 120.
Front end portion 106 including pommel or post 120 has two first planar side walls 122, 124 extending from first end 102 toward rear end portion 108. Preferably, planar side walls 122, 124 extend in parallel relation to one another. Rear end portion 108 has two planar side walls 126, 128 extending from rear end 104 towards front end portion 106, with these two planar sidewalls 126, 128 being oriented at an acute angle to one another. Thus rear end portion 108 has a tapered width dimension WW that decreases in a direction from end 104 towards front end portion 106.
Upper surface 108u of rear end portion 108 may be substantially flat or planar and inclined downwardly in a direction from end 104 towards the front end portion 106.
Pommel or post 120 may have a convexly arcuate upper surface 132 that is continuous with the sloping upper surface 106u of front end portion 106 of seat cushion or sitting device 100.
A kit 134 (
A method utilizing the seat cushion or posture-improvement sitting device 100 comprises placing the seat cushion on a horizontal support surface and sitting on the rear end portion 108 so that ischial tuberosities or sit bones of the user engage the rear end portion while peripheral regions of the user's buttocks to outer sides of the ischial tuberosities or sit bones are not in contact with rear end portion 108 and so that front end portion 106 is located between the user's thighs and proximate the user's pelvic bone or crotch area.
Preferably seat cushion or sitting device 100 is 19″ long, with width W1 of pommel 120 at the front being 3 inches, and width W2 at rear end 104 being 7 inches. Wedges 26 and 136 are seven inches square.
A user may sit on one or two wedges 26 or 136, when sitting device 10 or 100 is not available, in order to maintain the postural benefits the user is developing with device 10, 100. In addition, a wedge 26 or 136 may be placed between the user's back and a seat back (not shown) at the low or mid back, for further support. A wedge 26 or 136 may be inserted between the user's head and a high seat back to encourage correct spinal alignment and comfort.
Rear end portion 108 at its widest point (end 104) is only 7 inches wide and supports the user's bony skeleton, lifting the sit bones which are spaced 3-6 inches apart depending on gender—closer in men—and body type—and allows the soft tissue which is muscle & fascia & fat—to relax, which enables reduced tension in the area. Sitting device 10, 100 allows soft tissue to relax but also fits anyone regardless of buttocks size.
By lifting only the sitz bones (the ischial tuberosities or sit bones), seat cushion or sitting device 10, 100 makes the user feel as if there is more “air” space so the lower back can relax more—the normal compression in the back area is relieved and you get the picture. Also seat cushion or sitting device 10, 100 can accommodate any human backside even a huge or wide one.
It is to be noted that wedges 26, 136 are optional or extras that may be used for comfort in place of SmartSeat™. Wedges 26, 136 are small enough to carry in a purse or briefcase. It is preferable not place a wedge 26, 136 on sitting device 10, 100 as the tilt would be too great and the user would feel as if he or she would fall forward.
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. For instance, instead of the trapezoidal shape in the plan view of
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62540883 | Aug 2017 | US |
