The present invention is generally directed to a lumbar support assembly, and more specifically to a padded assembly or add-on structure that can be attached to an existing lumbar support structure of an office chair, or other like chair or furniture, in order to extend the padded surface and therefore provide additional or enhanced lumbar support.
For many office workers, students, or individuals who may spend any amount of time seated in an office chair throughout the work day, back pain can be a common problem, particularly in the event the office chair lacks effective lumbar support. The term “lumbar” generally refers to the lower region of an individual's back, and therefore, a lumbar support is generally a part of furniture that focuses on maintaining comfort in the lumbar region of the individual's back. An effective lumbar support can prevent or minimize back pain by properly aligning the individual's back muscles and spine while seated in the chair. Overall and over time, an effective lumbar support can reduce the tension in one's back and drastically improve one's posture.
For this reason, many chairs, and in particular, office chairs, include some sort of lumbar support, or at least a structure that is advertised as a lumbar support. As just an example, HERMAN MILLER, INC. is a company or entity that produces, manufactures, sells or otherwise distributes an office chair under the AERON® trademark. The AERON® office chair, and perhaps others, whether made by or for HERMAN MILLER® or another company or entity, includes two (2) lumbar support structures vertically aligned with one another and which push against the rear-facing surface of the back panel of the chair.
The problem, however, is that many lumbar supports or structures intended to provide lumbar support are not effective or otherwise do not provide the intended or desired lumbar support. Further, since every individual is different, a lumbar support structure that may be effective for one may not be effective for another.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an extension pad or an assembly which can be mounted to the existing lumbar support structures of an office chair in order to provide additional or enhanced lumbar support.
Specifically, at least one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a lumbar support assembly for an office chair, or otherwise, an extension pad assembly which may be mounted to one or more existing lumbar support structures of an office chair.
More in particular, the lumbar support assembly of at least one embodiment includes at least one extension lumbar support pad assembly, sometimes referred to herein as an extension pad assembly, mountable to the at least one lumbar support structure of the office chair. The extension pad assembly includes a base and a pad, wherein the base includes a recessed mounting structure disposed one side thereof. The recessed mounting structure is defined by a recessed surface at least partially surrounded by a retention wall, with the pad mounted to the opposite side of the base.
Furthermore, the recessed mounting structure of at least one embodiment includes one or more mounting clips that extend from the retaining wall allowing the existing lumbar support structure to be snapped and engaged therein. With the extension pad assembly mounted in this manner, additional pressure and support can be added to the lumbar region of an individual seated in the chair.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings provided herein.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference to
As just an example, HERMAN MILLER, INC. is a company or entity that produces, manufactures, sells or otherwise distributes an office chair under the AERON® trademark. The AERON® office chair, and perhaps others, whether made by or for HERMAN MILLER® or another company or entity, includes two (2) lumbar support structures, such as a first or upper lumbar support structure 120 and a second or lower lumbar support structure 130. The support structures 120. 130 each include a plate 122, 132 with a pad, cushion or cushioned surface, generally referenced as 124, 134 extending therefrom. In some cases, such as in the example shown in
Moreover, in use, the pad or cushioned surface of the lumbar support structures 120, 130 of the chair 100 pushes or rests against the rear surface 104 of the back portion 104 of the chair 100. In some cases, such as with the AERON® chair, the back portion 104 of the chair 100 is resilient or made of a resilient or flexible material such that pressing against the rear surface 105 of the back portion 104 can be felt by an individual resting his or her back against the front-facing surface 106 of the back portion 104.
In some chairs 100, such as but not limited to the HERMAN MILLER® AERON® office chair, lumbar support structure(s) 122, 132 are mounted to one or more supports, e.g., as referenced at 126, 136. The supports 126, 136 may be flexible or at least partially pivotal such that the support structures 120, 130 (e.g., the plate(s) 122, 132 and pads 124, 134) can flex toward and away from the back portion 104 of the chair 100.
As described herein, the various embodiments of the present invention are intended to be mounted or connected to the existing lumbar support structure(s) 120, 130 of a chair 100 in order to extend the support surface thereof toward the user's lower back or otherwise toward the back portion 104 of the chair 100 in a location at or near the lumbar region of the user's back when properly seated in the chair 100. Extending the support surface the lumbar supports toward the chair 100 or otherwise toward the front of the chair, results in increased pressure against the user's lumbar region and therefore provides additional or superior support thereto. It should be noted that while the HERMAN MILLER® AERON® office chair is used as an example in this disclosure and is generally represented in the Figures, e.g., in
More specifically, the lumbar support assembly 10 of at least one embodiment includes at least one, but in several embodiments, two extension pad assemblies 20, 30 that are each configured to fit over or otherwise mount over the padded surface 124, 134 of a corresponding one of the existing lumbar support structures 120, 130. By mounting the extension pad assemblies 20, 30 to the existing support structures 120, 130 in this manner, the supporting surface pressing against or toward the lumbar region of the user's back is extended.
For example, with reference to
Specifically, the pad assemblies 20, 30 each include a base 22, 32 and a pad 21, 31. As shown in
For example, the base 22, 32 of the extension pad assemblies 20. 30 each define a corresponding recessed mounting structure 25, 35 or otherwise a recessed cavity within which a corresponding one of the existing lumbar support structures 120, 130 is disposed.
More specifically, the first base 22 defines a recessed cavity 25 which is specifically structured and configured to receive the pad 124 and plate 122 of the first or upper lumbar support structure 120 of the chair 100. In the example shown, the existing lumbar support structure 120 has a rounded trapezoidal shape, e.g., a trapezoidal shape with pronounced rounded corners. As a result, the first base 22 also includes a recessed cavity or mounting structure 25 with a similar shape such that the existing lumbar support structure 120 fits therein. In other embodiments, the shape and/or size of the recessed mounting structure may be different in order to correspond to or otherwise receive a differently shaped lumbar support structure of a chair 100.
In any event, the recessed mounting structure 25 is defined by or otherwise includes a recessed surface 25a at least partially surrounded by a retention wall 25b. In some embodiments, an in particular, the embodiment illustrated, the retention wall 25b completely surrounds the recessed surface 25a. In some embodiments, the recessed surface 25a is a flat planar surface, however, it may be curved, bulbous, or otherwise have some concave or convex curvatures there along.
Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the base 22 includes one or more mounting clips 26a-d disposed on the at least one retaining wall 25b. For instance, the mounting clip(s) 26a-d extend from the wall 25b and define an ledge or overhang which is configured to engage to or clip onto the existing lumbar support structure 120, and in particular, the plate 122 thereof. In some cases, as shown the exemplary embodiment, the one or more mounting clips 26a-d extend from an outermost edge of the retaining wall 25b, although other locations structured and configured to implement the invention in the intended manner and mount to the existing lumbar support structure is contemplated within the full spirit and scope of the present invention.
Moreover, the embodiment illustrated includes four (4) mounting clips 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d disposed in a spaced relation from one another (e.g., there is a space between each of the mounting clips). For instance, each side of the rounded trapezoidal shape of the extension pad assembly 20 includes at least one mounting clip 26a-d, although other locations of the mounting clips 26a-d, and more or less mounting clips 26a-d are contemplated herein.
More specifically, with reference to
Furthermore, the remaining depth of the recessed mounting structure 25 (e.g., measured between the ledge 28a and the recessed surface 25a) is equal to, substantially equal to, or at least slightly larger than the depth of the pad 124 disposed on the corresponding lumbar support structure 120.
In this manner, the existing lumbar support structure 120 can snap fit into the recessed mounting structure 25 of extension pad assembly 20 such that the mounting clip(s) 26a-d engage the outer edge(s) of the plate 122 of the existing lumbar support structure 120 of the office chair. In some cases, since the existing lumbar support structure 120 is somewhat flexible or bendable, for example, via the flexible rod 126, installation of the extension pad assembly 20 is as easy as flexing or bending the existing lumbar support structure 120 away from the back panel 104 of the chair, positioning the extension pad assembly 20 between the back panel 104 of the chair 100 and the existing lumbar support structure 120, and snapping the existing lumbar support structure 120 into the recessed mounting structure 25.
With the extension pad 21 disposed on the opposite side of the base 22 (e.g., opposite the recessed mounting structure 25), the extension pad 21 acts an extended lumbar support for the chair, engaging or contacting a user's lumbar region through the back panel 104 of the chair 100.
Further, and similar to the first or upper extension pad assembly 20, the second base 32 of the second or lower extension pad assembly 30 defines a recessed cavity 35 which is specifically structured and configured to receive the pad 134 and plate 132 of the second or lower lumbar support structure 130 of the chair 100. In the example shown in the Figures, the existing lumbar support structure 130 has a rounded oblong or egg shape, e.g., a substantially oval or rounded shape with one end wider than the other. As a result, the second base 32 also includes a recessed cavity or mounting structure 35 with a similar and corresponding shape, such that the existing lumbar support structure 130 fits therein. In other embodiments, the shape and/or size of the recessed mounting structure 35 may be different in order to correspond to or otherwise receive a differently shaped lumbar support structure of a chair 100.
In any event, the recessed mounting structure 35 is defined by or otherwise includes a recessed surface 35a at least partially surrounded by a retention wall 35b. In some embodiments, and in particular, the embodiment illustrated, the retention wall 35b completely surrounds the recessed surface 35a. In some embodiments, the recessed surface 35a is a flat planar surface, however, it may be curved, bulbous, or otherwise have some concave or convex curvatures there along.
Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the base 32 includes one or more mounting clips 36a-d disposed on the at least one retaining wall 35b. For instance, the mounting clip(s) 36a-d extend from the wall 35b and define an ledge or overhang which is configured to engage to or clip onto the existing lumbar support structure 130, and in particular, the plate 132 thereof. In some cases, as shown the exemplary embodiment, the one or more mounting clips 36a-d extend from an outermost edge of the retaining wall 35b, although other locations structured and configured to implement the invention in the intended manner and mount to the existing lumbar support structure is contemplated within the full spirit and scope of the present invention.
Moreover, the embodiment illustrated includes four (4) mounting clips 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d disposed in a spaced relation from one another (e.g., there is a space between each of the mounting clips.)
More specifically, with reference to
Furthermore, the remaining depth of the recessed mounting structure 35 (e.g., measured between the ledge 38a and the recessed surface 35a) is equal to, substantially equal to, or at least slightly larger than the depth of the pad 134 disposed on the corresponding lumbar support structure 130.
In this manner, the existing lumbar support structure 130 can snap fit into the recessed mounting structure 35 of extension pad assembly 30 such that the mounting clip(s) 36a-d engage the outer edge(s) of the plate 132 of the existing lumbar support structure 130 of the office chair. In some cases, since the existing lumbar support structure 130 is somewhat flexible or bendable, for example, via the flexible rod 136, installation of the extension pad assembly 30 is as easy as flexing or bending the existing lumbar support structure 130 away from the back panel 104 of the chair, positioning the extension pad assembly 30 between the back panel 104 of the chair 100 and the existing lumbar support structure 130, and snapping the existing lumbar support structure 130 into the recessed mounting structure 35.
With the extension pad 31 disposed on the opposite side of the base 32 (e.g., opposite the recessed mounting structure 35), the extension pad 31 acts an extended lumbar support for the chair, engaging or contacting a user's lumbar region through the back panel 104 of the chair 100.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the bases 22, 32 of the extension pad assemblies 20, 30 of at least one embodiment of the present invention may be constructed of a variety of different materials including rigid or semi-rigid materials, which may include, but are in no way limited to plastic materials, thermoplastic polyurethane materials (TPU), silicone, a mixture or combination thereof, metal, aluminum, etc. Other materials may be used and are contemplated within the full spirit and scope of the present invention.
In addition, the pads 21, 31 of the extension pad assemblies 20, 30 of at least one embodiment of the present invention may also be constructed of a variety of different materials, including generally pliable, flexible, soft, cushioned, padded materials, such as, for example, foam, gel, a mixture or combination of foam and gel, etc. Of course, other materials structured to facilitate implementation of the present invention are contemplated within the full spirit and scope herein.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or both of the pads 21, 31 are fixedly attached to the corresponding base 22, 32, for example, through adhesion, heat, screws, bolts, nails, or other like fasteners configured to fixedly attach the elements to another such that their removal is not intended. In other embodiments, however, the pad(s) 21, 31 may be removably attached or removably connected to the corresponding base 22, 32 through any available connection fasteners or techniques, including, but not limited one or more cooperative magnets, hook and loop type fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®), snaps, button, clips, clamps, tongue and groove connections, etc. In such a case, a user may be able to remove and/or replace the pad(s) 21, 31 with other pad(s) 21, 31 that may have different cushioned or padded qualities, different thicknesses, different rigidity or softness, different sizes, different shapes, different colors/patterns, etc.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. This written description provides an illustrative explanation and/or account of the present invention. It may be possible to deliver equivalent benefits using variations of the specific embodiments, without departing from the inventive concept. This description and these drawings, therefore, are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.
Now that the invention has been described,
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6938956 | Piretti | Sep 2005 | B1 |
9585484 | Tsai | Mar 2017 | B1 |
10264890 | Aldrich | Apr 2019 | B2 |
20050184570 | Sanchez | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20070236066 | Sanchez | Oct 2007 | A1 |