US5314235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable back support
Assignee: INNOTECH REHABILITATION PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1991-11-05
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Granted: 1994-05-24
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Expires: 2011-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a portable back support comprising a base plate, cushion means attached to the base plate: the cushion means having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a pair of laterally spaced extremities, the base plate having an arcuate shape in transverse section thereby enabling the extremities to provide lateral support: the lower portion further comprising expansion means, the expansion means enabling the contour of the cushion to be varied.
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:17
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/42; A47C7/425; A47C7/46; A47C7/467; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A portable back support comprising a base plate extending substantially the height of said support, cushion means attached to a front of said base plate and having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a pair of laterally spaced extremities, said base plate having an arcuate shape in transverse section thereby enabling said extremities to provide lateral support, adjustable expansion means enabling the contour of said cushion means to be varied, said expansion means comprising an inflatable bladder capable of providing increased support for the lumbar spine of a user, said bladder having a rear surface which is firmly supported by the front of said base plate, and means for displacing said bladder vertically relative to said base plate so as to enable said expansion means to accommodate variations in the location of the lumbar spine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A portable back support comprising a base plate extending substantially the height of said support, cushion means attached to a front of said base plate and having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a pair of laterally spaced extremities, said base plate having an arcuate shape in transverse section thereby enabling said extremities to provide lateral support, adjustable expansion means enabling the contour of said cushion means to be varied, said expansion means comprising an inflatable bladder capable of providing increased support for the lumbar spine of a user, said bladder having a rear surface which is firmly supported by the front of said base plate, and means for displacing said bladder vertically relative to said base plate so as to enable said expansion means to accommodate variations in the location of the lumbar spine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper portion includes a depression of a size sufficient to accommodate a thoracic spine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 2 wherein said upper portion includes an upper lobe, said lower portion includes a lower lobe, and said upper and lower lobes are separated by said depression.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
A portable back support comprising a base plate having a top, a bottom, a front surface and a rear surface, a cushion layer extending over said front surface of the base plate, said cushion layer being connected to said base plate and having an upper portion and a lower portion, an inflatable bladder mounted between said base plate and said lower portion and capable of providing further support for the lumbar spine of a user, said bladder being firmly supported by said front surface of the base plate, and means for displacing said bladder vertically relative to the base plate so as to enable the bladder to accommodate variations in the location of the lumbar spine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A portable back support comprising a base plate having a top, a bottom, a front surface and a rear surface, a cushion layer extending over said front surface of the base plate, said cushion layer being connected to said base plate and having an upper portion and a lower portion, an inflatable bladder mounted between said base plate and said lower portion and capable of providing further support for the lumbar spine of a user, said bladder being firmly supported by said front surface of the base plate, and means for displacing said bladder vertically relative to the base plate so as to enable the bladder to accommodate variations in the location of the lumbar spine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 4 wherein said displacing means comprises a flat plate member on which said bladder is mounted and a handle extending rearwardly from said flat plate and through an aperture formed in said base plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 4 including a vertical cushion ridge extending along a central vertical axis of said support and extending only a relatively short distance in the transverse direction so as to engage a region of a user's back adjacent the vertebrae.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 6 wherein said ridge extends substantially the entire height of the support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 4 including means for inflating said bladder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 8 wherein said upper portion of the cushion layer has a depression of a size sufficient to accommodate a thoracic spine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 9 wherein said upper portion includes an upper lobe, said lower portion includes a lower lobe, and said upper and lower lobes are separated by said depression.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A portable back support as defined in claim 8 wherein said displacing means comprises an outer retention bag and a pair of straps attached to opposite ends of said bag, said bladder being contained within said bag and said straps extending through upper and lower apertures formed in said base plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-23 | 1997-11-22 | 1998-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-23 | 2001-11-22 | 2002-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-23 | 2005-11-22 | 2006-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |