US5337427A — Birthing board

Claim 1

Independent Claim 171 words

A birthing board comprising a body of substantially rigid material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end adapted to support the hips and lower back of a woman, and a back end adapted to be positioned behind the shoulder area of a woman; wherein the front end of the body has a thickness which is greater than that at the back end, so that the top surface at the front end is elevated with respect to the back end, and so that the top surface is generally inclined along a central axis which runs from the front end to the back end; wherein the top surface has a generally concave shape in a dimension transverse to the central axis, and is further shaped to provide lumbar support along the central axis; and wherein the bottom surface has a continuous convex shape, so that cross sections of the body, taken transversely to the central axis, have a bottom curvature of convex shape, and a top curvature of concave shape.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 171 words

A birthing board comprising a body of substantially rigid material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end adapted to support the hips and lower back of a woman, and a back end adapted to be positioned behind the shoulder area of a woman; wherein the front end of the body has a thickness which is greater than that at the back end, so that the top surface at the front end is elevated with respect to the back end, and so that the top surface is generally inclined along a central axis which runs from the front end to the back end; wherein the top surface has a generally concave shape in a dimension transverse to the central axis, and is further shaped to provide lumbar support along the central axis; and wherein the bottom surface has a continuous convex shape, so that cross sections of the body, taken transversely to the central axis, have a bottom curvature of convex shape, and a top curvature of concave shape.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

The birthing board of claim 1 further wherein the front end of the body is recessed in the vicinity of the central axis and protrudes on either side of the central axis.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The birthing board of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is generally level in dimensions parallel to the central axis.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The birthing board of claims 2 or 3 further including means positioned at the front end of the body for gripping by a user of the body.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 13 words

The birthing board of claim 4 wherein the body is constructed of wood.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 14 words

The birthing board of claim 4 wherein the body is constructed of blow-molded plastic.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The birthing board of claim 4 wherein the back end of the board has been formed to provide a rounded nose.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

The birthing board of claim 4 wherein the gripping means comprise a pair of handles positioned toward the front end on the top surface and at the outer edges of the body.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 75 words

The birthing board of claim 8 wherein each of the handles include a first section which extends upwardly from the outer edge of the body at an approximate right angle, and a second section which extends outwardly from the outer edge of the body at a point closer to the back end than the first section, and at an approximate 40 degree angle, and which is joined to a free end of the first section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

The birthing board of claim 4 wherein the body is constructed of fiberglass.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The birthing board of claim 4 wherein the body is constructed of vacuum molded plastic.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

The birthing board of claim 1 further including a non-rigid birthing board cover, positioned above the top surface of the body and capable of substantially covering the top surface of the body.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The birthing board of claim 12 wherein the birthing board cover is held to the body by means or fitted edging on the cover which can be wrapped around opposing sides of the body.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The birthing board of claim 12 wherein the cover is constructed of felt-like material between 1/32 inch and 1/4 inch in thickness.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 167 words

A board for supporting a woman during the birthing process comprising a generally rigid structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end adapted to support the hips and lower back of a woman, and a back end adapted to be positioned behind the shoulder area of a woman, to form a generally wedge-shaped profile when viewed from the side; wherein the top surface slopes generally downwardly from the front end toward the back end along a longitudinal axis, has a concave shape along a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis, and also is shaped to provide lumbar support along the direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein the front section is shaped so that it is recessed toward its center and flared towards its ends; wherein the back section has a rounded shape; and wherein the bottom surface is formed to have a continuous convex curvature in a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis and generally level in a dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 167 words

A board for supporting a woman during the birthing process comprising a generally rigid structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end adapted to support the hips and lower back of a woman, and a back end adapted to be positioned behind the shoulder area of a woman, to form a generally wedge-shaped profile when viewed from the side; wherein the top surface slopes generally downwardly from the front end toward the back end along a longitudinal axis, has a concave shape along a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis, and also is shaped to provide lumbar support along the direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein the front section is shaped so that it is recessed toward its center and flared towards its ends; wherein the back section has a rounded shape; and wherein the bottom surface is formed to have a continuous convex curvature in a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis and generally level in a dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-08-15	1998-02-14	1998-08-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-08-15	2002-02-14	2002-08-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-08-15	2006-02-14	2006-08-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Birthing board

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