Patent US4981325A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4981325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Posture support with multi-planar adjustment
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-08-25
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Granted: 1991-01-01
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Expires: 2008-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A seating support for independent, multi-planar adjustable thoracic and pelvic-sacral cushions for supporting the spine and permitting support adjustment by the seated occupant. The thoracic support cushion is inflatably adjustable in a horizontal plane and vertically adjustable relative to apertured slide rails of a support framework. The pelvic-sacral support cushion vertically slide adjusts along the framework and is horizontally adjustable via a screw follower mounted scissors assembly having a laterally and tiltably rotatable cushion mounting plate. In an accessory embodiment, an adjustable clamp retainer and strap secure the support to an available rigid-backed chair.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Zacharkow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:08
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/405; A47C7/42; A47C7/425; A47C7/46; A47C7/467; A47C9/00; A47C9/02; A61; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/1091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
Posture support apparatus comprising: (a) a framework including first and second vertical slide rails; (b) first and second back support cushions; (c) first means coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said first support cushion for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position and a horizontal extension of said first cushion relative to said first and second slide rails independent of the second support cushion; (d) second coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said second support cushion for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position of said second cushion relative to said first and second slide rails and including third means for selectively establishing a fixed angular tilt orientation of said second cushion relative to a plane containing said first and second slide rails; (e) wherein said first means includes first and second brackets horizontally extending from said first cushion, wherein each of said first and second means includes first and second retainer means, wherein each retainer means is slidably mounted relative to one of said first and second slide rails and includes means for fixing the retainer means to the slide rail, and wherein the retainer means of said first means includes means for fixing the relative extension of one of said brackets thereto; (f) means for securing said framework to a chair having at least a seat and a plurality of seat support legs; and (g) wherein said first and second means cooperatively permit the adjustment of said first and second support cushions to support the lower thoracic and upper sacral vertebrae of a seated occupant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
Posture support apparatus comprising: (a) a framework including first and second vertical slide rails; (b) first and second back support cushions; (c) first means coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said first support cushion for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position and a horizontal extension of said first cushion relative to said first and second slide rails independent of the second support cushion; (d) second coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said second support cushion for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position of said second cushion relative to said first and second slide rails and including third means for selectively establishing a fixed angular tilt orientation of said second cushion relative to a plane containing said first and second slide rails; (e) wherein said first means includes first and second brackets horizontally extending from said first cushion, wherein each of said first and second means includes first and second retainer means, wherein each retainer means is slidably mounted relative to one of said first and second slide rails and includes means for fixing the retainer means to the slide rail, and wherein the retainer means of said first means includes means for fixing the relative extension of one of said brackets thereto; (f) means for securing said framework to a chair having at least a seat and a plurality of seat support legs; and (g) wherein said first and second means cooperatively permit the adjustment of said first and second support cushions to support the lower thoracic and upper sacral vertebrae of a seated occupant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each retainer means includes a tubular member slidably mounted about one of said first and second slide rails and having a spring member biasing a plunger relative to a selected one of a plurality of mounting apertures formed in each slide rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the chair securing means comprises: (a) extensible clamp means for securing an upper end of said framework to a rigid chair back; and (b) strap means for securing a lower end of said framework adjacent said seat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second cushions includes at least one inflatable cell and means for controllably varying the inflation pressure of said cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first means includes: (a) a threaded rod rotatively supported between said first and second slide rails; and (b) at least one carrier mounted in screwfollower relation to said threaded rod and pivotally supporting at least one arm member having an opposite end coupled to said second cushion such that said arm member extends and retracts said second cushion relative to said first and second slide rails as said rod is rotated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third means comprises a bracket mounted to said second cushion having a first portion pivotally mounted to a vertical pivot axle and a second portion pivotally mounted to a horizontal pivot axle whereby said first and second bracket portions are independently rotatively mounted relative to one another and further including means for separately restrainedly securing said vertical and horizontal pivot axles to said bracket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second cushions is horizontally inflatably adjustable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
Posture support apparatus comprising: (a) a framework including first and second vertical slide rails; (b) first and second back support cushions; (c) first means coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said first support cushion for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position and a horizontal extension of said first cushion relative to said first and second slide rails; (d) second means coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said second support cushion independent of said first means for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position and a horizontal extension of said second cushion relative to said first and second slide rails independent of said first cushion; (e) means for securing said framework to a chair having at least a seat and a plurality of seat support legs; and (f) wherein said first and second means cooperatively permit the adjustment of said first and second support cushions to support the lower thoracic and upper sacral vertebrae of a seated occupant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
Posture support apparatus comprising: (a) a framework including first and second vertical slide rails; (b) first and second back support cushions; (c) first means coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said first support cushion for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position and a horizontal extension of said first cushion relative to said first and second slide rails; (d) second means coupled to each of said first and second slide rails and said second support cushion independent of said first means for selectively establishing a vertical mounting position and a horizontal extension of said second cushion relative to said first and second slide rails independent of said first cushion; (e) means for securing said framework to a chair having at least a seat and a plurality of seat support legs; and (f) wherein said first and second means cooperatively permit the adjustment of said first and second support cushions to support the lower thoracic and upper sacral vertebrae of a seated occupant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one of said first and second means includes: (a) a threaded rod rotatively mounted between first and second brackets secured to and slidably supported along the respective first and second slide rails; and (b) a first carrier mounted in screw-follower relation along said threaded rod and having an arm member pivotally coupled to the associated cushion such that said arm member horizontally extends and retracts the associated cushion relative to a plane containing said first and second slide rails as said threaded rod is rotated; and (c) means coupling said arm member to the cushion for selectively establishing a fixed angular tilt orientation of the cushion relative to said plane
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 including: (a) a second carrier mounted in screw follower relation along said threaded rod; (b) a second rod extending between said first and second brackets and supporting said first and second carriers in slidable relation thereto; and (c) wherein a pair of arm members pivotally couple each of said first and second carriers to said tilt means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tilt means comprises a body member including a first portion pivotally mounted to a vertical pivot axle and a second portion pivotally mounted to a horizontal pivot axle whereby said first and second portions are independently rotatively mounted relative to one another and further including means for separately restrainedly securing said vertical and horizontal pivot axles to said body member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one of said first and second cushions is inflatably adjustable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second means includes third means for selectively establishing a fixed angular tilt orientation of said second cushion relative to a plane containing said first and second slide rails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-31 | 1994-07-02 | 1995-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-31 | 1998-07-02 | 1999-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-31 | 2002-07-02 | 2003-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |