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Meditation supportRelated Patent Categories: Beds, Support For User`s Body Or Part Thereof, Removable Support Specially Adapted For SeatingMeditation support description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060037143, Meditation support. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This disclosure relates to meditation supports, such as a meditation cushion or mediation mat, or a combination thereof, which incorporate a visco-elastic foam that promotes proper posture and comfort for sitting in meditation. BACKGROUND [0002] Historically, the sitting cushion used in meditation--called a zafu--has been round and low, frequently having dimensions of approximately 7 inches high and 16 inches in diameter. The traditional filling in zafus is kapok, a natural fiber obtained from Kapok tree seedpods. In the 2500 year history of meditation cushions, traditionally a meditation cushion is a single composite of cushioning material within an outer cover, not a cushion of layered materials. [0003] A person mediating would typically be seated in a cross-legged fashion on zafus sitting cushion. In these postures, the legs are crossed or folded in front of the sitter in what is called "lotus posture" or one of its variations. The meditator's knees can rest on the floor and the cushion supports his or her sit bones. Alternatively, meditators use a kneeling posture called seiza. In this kneeling posture, the person's weight and bones which contact the cushion are again supported (by the cushion) which the meditator straddles. [0004] Under the cushion is a meditation mat called zabuton. The typical measurements for such mats is approximately 32'' by 27'' and 3-6'' high. A traditional mat has cotton batting contained in a seamed natural or synthetic cover. The zabuton provides the meditator with a kind of "pillow" for the legs, giving some added support, warmth, and protection from the hard floor underneath. With prolonged use, the mat will eventually compress, becoming thin and less able to support the meditator's weight in a comfortable manner. Even when the mat is new and full, it lacks the ability to accommodate to the specific body weight of the meditator without over compressing, which results in the meditator's knees pressing against the hard floor. [0005] Mediation cushions of kapok have commonly noted problems associated with their use. [0006] There are two main reasons why sitting in meditation causes physical pain: First, the sitting bones are not elevated at the proper height. When the height isn't right for the individual, there is stress on knees and/or ankles that causes pain. Both too-high seats and too-low seats cause problems. In general, the more flexible an individual is, the lower the seat can be without causing difficulty. [0007] Second, the sitting cushion is too hard. In this case the unforgiving material pressed against the buttocks blocks circulation, presses on nerves and causes discomfort and pain or complete loss of feeling. [0008] The traditional material for meditation cushions is kapok. An individual kapok cushion can be adjusted for height and firmness by added or removing material. However, there is a limit due to the compressibility of the kapok itself. If a relatively high seat is required (as when the meditator has limited flexibility in hips and knees) the amount of kapok need to achieve that height is so great that it produces a seat that is extremely firm. The firm seat causes a problem because it is too hard. [0009] This is the sitting cushion dilemma. If the cushion is stiff enough to give enough lift, it is also likely to cause pressure problems because of that very stiffness. [0010] With buckwheat hulls it is possible to achieve greater lift with much less material, because the material does not compress. At the same time, as with a fully stuffed kapok cushion, a buckwheat hull seat is very hard and causes discomfort when used for extended periods. [0011] Typically meditators deal with these limitations by shifting back and forth among imperfect alternatives, since difficulties usually take a few sitting periods to become extreme. Up until now the only other solution (which is not available to all) is to increase flexibility or lose weight to the point where a relatively soft kapok cushion is adequate to achieve a comfortable height. [0012] Kapok-filled cushions are very firm initially, and soften gradually over time. Both the initial firmness and the long-term softness present physical difficulties for meditators. A new kapok cushion is usually too hard for most meditators. Its firmness frequently results in numbness to the legs and genitals lasting for the duration of the meditation period, and sometimes beyond. As the cushion softens, it loses its `loft` and begins to sink. This results in a softer but lower cushion, which can cause additional strain on the bent knees and back from a lower than comfortable position. Although additional kapok can be added to the cushion, kapok does present certain hazards during handling. The fine cotton-like strands can be irritating when inhaled and thus necessitate the use of a mask when handling kapok. [0013] Most significantly, the ever-changing nature of kapok leads to a constant variation in cushion density and height, which in turn results in less than consistent comfort for the meditator. Common complaints associated with the use of kapok-filled cushions include: back pain, knee pain (due to cushions that are either too high or too low), pain over the sacrum (tail bone) from pressure of the unyielding cushion, and numbness in the legs or genital area due to pressure on the sciatic nerve or other nerves running near the `sit bones` that bear the weight in meditating. [0014] Sitting cushions sometimes contain only buckwheat hulls and also generate common problems associated with physical discomfort, particularly numbness in the legs where the edge of the bucket-filled cushion contacts the sciatic nerve area under the buttock. In addition, pain in the sacral area or on the `sit bones` themselves commonly occurs due to the unyielding nature of the buckwheat hulls. The buckwheat hulls, while having some ability to shift and `hold` the weight of the person's buttocks, are a virtually incompressible material and thus `push back` onto the offered weight, frequently creating discomfort. [0015] Meditators typically sit completely motionless for some time, often approximately from 20 minutes to an hour. During longer retreats held periodically at meditation or religious centers and/or monasteries, meditators may sit for twelve or more 35-minute periods per day. Physical discomfort, which at times can be significant, frequently appears. The pain associated with meditation is most commonly present in the knees, ankles, hips, back and neck, and older meditators are particularly susceptible to it. However, younger people also have limitations such as previous injuries, arthritis, and/or chronic illness which create pain while sitting still for long periods of time. In addition, there is the general stiffness and discomfort that are the natural result of sitting still in one position over long periods of time. Lastly, meditating at all is difficult for some people, especially if they are unable to find a cushion and mat that will allow them to participate in the meditation sessions comfortably, without having to bear significant pain. For these reasons, there is at present a real need for a meditation cushion and mat that alleviate the discomfort associated with seated meditation. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a meditation support which allow the user to meditate in comfort and avoid the stress and pain often caused by previously known types of cushions and mats. [0017] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a meditation support to enable a person seated in traditional meditative positions to achieve a comfortable posture, regardless of the meditator's size or weight. [0018] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a meditation support which maintains the pelvis in a neutral or slightly anterior position, resulting in proper alignment of the pelvis and spine during meditation. [0019] It is yet another object to provide cushions and mats that allow meditators who have painful conditions and have no available means to meditate in the traditional cross-legged or kneeling postures, to be able to do so in a comfortable way as provided by the different and superior advantages of the present invention over previously crafted cushions and mats. [0020] It is further an object to provide cushions and mats to meditators that accommodate the weight-bearing and weight-supporting body structures by maximizing the surface area that holds the weight in contact with the supporting cushion or mat during meditation. [0021] It is also the object of the present invention to provide cushions and mats that prevent or limit numbness or pressure-caused pain in the knees, legs, genital and buttock, and thigh areas, by combining visco-elastic foam and supporting materials. Continue reading about Meditation support... Full patent description for Meditation support Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Meditation support patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Meditation support or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Support with buoyancy cushions Next Patent Application: Airbed combination Industry Class: Beds ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Meditation support patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.25962 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
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