AU2012201548A1

AU2012201548A1 - Support cushion

Info

Publication number: AU2012201548A1
Application number: AU2012201548A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Doron GADDIE
Original assignee: GADDOL Pty Ltd
Current assignee: GADDOL Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-02
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Also published as: WO2012162751A1

Abstract

- 8 The invention provides a support cushion (1) for adjusting a person's lying position, comprising: a thigh support 5 portion (20) with a base (29) and a top surface (23), the top surface (23) supporting the person's thighs in a raised position when the person is lying in a facing up orientation ; and a leg separator portion (30) attached to the thigh support portion (20) such that in use the leg 10 separator portion (23) is disposed between and keeps the person's legs separated; whereby the support cushion (1) is adapted to rotate with the person when the person rotates between the facing up orientation and a side orientation so as to aid mobility between the 15 orientations.

Description

Title SUPPORT CUSHION 5 Field The present invention relates to therapeutic cushions for assisting people to maintain a beneficial lying position. 10 Background to the Invention When a person suffers a lower back injury such as a prolapsed disc, part of the recovery strategy can involve adjusting the person's posture during sitting and lying to 15 minimize pressure on the affected area. There are a range of sculpted foam rubber cushions available for assisting in this process. In respect of the lying position, cushions are available to place between the person's legs to keep the legs apart and not crossed over while sleeping 20 on the side; and triangular or mound-shaped cushions are also available to support the person's legs while lying facing up. Such cushions are effective in the designed position, but a good night's sleep is hard to achieve due to the need to remain either on the side or facing up. 25 There are a wide variety of different shaped supports but all suffer from one or more drawbacks for some patients. There are also no pillows that assist the individual to move from the facing up position to the side lying position and back again. 30 There is therefore a need to provide an alternative support cushion that can provide a useful thigh support when in a facing up position, and useful leg support when in a side position, as well as provide assistance when 35 changing positions while in bed, at the same time as being simple and comfortable.

- 2 Summary of the Invention According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a support cushion for adjusting a person's lying 5 position, comprising: a thigh support portion with a base and a top surface, the top surface supporting the person's thighs in a raised position when the person is lying in a facing up orientation ; and 10 a leg separator portion attached to the thigh support portion such that in use the leg separator portion is disposed between and keeps the person's legs separated; whereby the support cushion is adapted to rotate with the person when the person rotates between the facing 15 up orientation and a side orientation so as to aid mobility between the orientations. In one embodiment, the top surface of the thigh support portion comprises an inclined thigh support surface 20 inclining down towards a superior end of the thigh support portion, the superior end being disposed in use towards the person's torso, the inclined surface being adapted to distribute support along a substantial part of the person's thighs. 25 In one embodiment, sides of the thigh support portion are shaped so that when the person is lying on his or her side, the cushion tends to slightly resist rotation of the person back towards the facing up orientation. The shape 30 of the sides of the thigh support portion may be generally right angular relative to the base of the thigh support portion. 35 In one embodiment, the thigh support portion has a width that allows it not to protrude laterally substantially outside the person's thighs, so as not to impede the -3 rotation. 5 Brief Description of Drawings Figure la to 1d are perspective, side, superior and inferior views respectively of a support cushion according to an embodiment of the current invention; and 10 Figure 2a and 2b are views of the support cushion of Figure 1 in use. Detailed Description of embodiments 15 An embodiment of the current invention will now be described. Referring first to Figure la to 1d, support cushion 1 is 20 constructed from foam rubber as is typically used in cushions, and comprises thigh support portion 20 and leg separator portion 30. In this embodiment the two portions are cut from blocks of foam rubber and glued together, but other embodiments could use a moulded construction. Thigh 25 support portion 20 has a flat base 29 which is placed on the lying surface, and a top surface 23 for supporting the person's thighs in a raised position when the person is lying facing up. Thigh support portion 20 has a superior end 27 which is use is disposed towards the person's 30 torso, and an inferior end 28 disposed towards the feet. A void 25 in the form of a open wedge in the base 29 and inferior end 28 is defined by an apex 26. The void assists for this foam rubber embodiment in preventing outwards rotation of the legs when the person is lying 35 facing up. The total width 22 of the thigh support portion is about 38 cm, sufficiently narrow so as to not protrude laterally. The width 21 of each leg receiving region on either side of the leg separator portion is - 4 approximately 15 cm. The length of the base 29 from superior to inferior end is about 35 cm, and the maximum height of the thigh support portion is about 20 cm. 5 Leg separator portion 30 has sides 32 that in use engage the person's legs at or near the knees to separate but not encase them . Leg separator portion 30 is about 8 cm in width between parallel flat faces 32, and rises to a maximum height above the base of about 42 cm. 10 Referring now to Figure 2a, where a person's legs 41 are shown lying on the support cushion when in the facing up orientation, it can be seen that top surface 23 supports the person's thighs with each leg either side of the leg 15 separator portion 30, engaging with sides 32. As the person rotates while sleeping into a side orientation, this engagement with the leg separator portion 30 urges the support cushion to rotate with the person 40 and remain in position, seen in Figure 2b. The person is able 20 to rotate smoothly with a minimum of spinal twist. The thigh support portion 20 is dimensioned due to width 22 so as to not protrude significantly in the lateral direction outside the thighs, so as not to impede rotation. Once the person is on his or her side, the leg separator portion 25 provides the required lateral support to prevent the legs crossing. The sides 24 of the thigh support portion are shaped so that they meet the base 29 in a generally right angular fashion. This shape tends to slightly resist rotation back towards the facing up orientation, helping 30 to both keep the person in one position or the other and also keep the cushion in place. Other embodiments can incorporate a bevelled edge where the sides 24 meet the base 29 to provide a lesser amount of resistance to rotation, depending on individual tastes. 35 Figure 2b also shows that the cushion in this embodiment is covered in a loose fitting fabric cover for comfort.

- 5 Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 5 For example, the particular dimensions and precise shapes disclosed in the embodiment are exemplary only and may be varied to suit the intended individuals, as also may the degree of firmness or construction and composition of the cushion (any cushion or pillow filling such as polyester 10 is envisaged), and the mode of attachment (permanent, removable, firm or loose) of the two portions. Many types of removable attachment of the two portions are envisaged, including Velcro fasteners, buttons, zips, or simply an indirect attachment by means of the unitary loose cover 15 holding the two portions together. Further, straps and other stabilizing components can be added to address needs of certain patients; for example a supportive strap that in use extends from the sides over 20 to top of a patient's thighs to prevent slipping off the cushion. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 25 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further 30 features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the 35 common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A support cushion for adjusting a person's lying 5 position, comprising: a thigh support portion with a base and a top surface, the top surface supporting the person's thighs in a raised position when the person is lying in a facing up orientation ; and 10 a leg separator portion attached to the thigh support portion such that in use the leg separator portion is disposed between and keeps the person's legs separated; whereby the support cushion is adapted to rotate with the person when the person rotates between the facing 15 up orientation and a side orientation so as to aid mobility between the orientations.

2. A support cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the thigh support portion comprises an 20 inclined thigh support surface inclining down towards a superior end of the thigh support portion, the superior end being disposed in use towards the person's torso, the inclined surface being adapted to distribute support along a substantial part of the person's thighs. 25

3. A support cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein sides of the thigh support portion are shaped so that when the person is lying on his or her side, the cushion tends to slightly resist rotation of the person back towards the 30 facing up orientation.

4. A support cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shape of the sides of the thigh support portion is generally right angular relative to the base of the thigh 35 support portion.

5. A support cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thigh support portion has a width that allows it not to protrude laterally substantially outside the person's thighs, so as not to impede the rotation.

6. A support cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein 5 the thigh support portion has a width that allows it not to protrude substantially laterally outside the person's thighs, so as not to impede the rotation.