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Seating elements and seat base constructionsSeating elements and seat base constructions description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080067853, Seating elements and seat base constructions. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001]The present invention relates to seating systems and in particular seat bases which are arranged to increase blood flow in a user and thus mitigate and/or prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), while providing comfortable and healthful seating. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002]Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in one of the deep veins of the body and usually in the leg. Pulmonary Embolus (PE) is the blockage of an artery in the lungs. DVT and PE can occur if the flow of blood slows down or stops. This in turn can occur if a person is subjected to prolonged immobility. In view of this, long distance travel, during which a person is seated for extended periods of time, has been identified as a factor which can contribute to DVT and PE. [0003]In particular, venous outflow from the lower extremities is decreased by venous obstruction at the femoral vein level which is thought to be caused by the degree of kyphosis created by conventional seating. Kyphosis is the abnormal backward curve of the spine which occurs in a user's spine while seated. Conversely, by increasing the lordosis in the lumbar of the spine and pelvis it is thought that venous outflow from the lower extremities is increased. Lordosis is the abnormal forward curvature of the spine. However, the natural `S` shape of the spine can be considered more lordotic than kyphotic and hence the term lordosis is used to describe a more natural spinal shape. There is therefore a need for seat designs which maintain a more lordotic posture in the subject. [0004]Furthermore, pressure to the backs of the thighs and to the gluteus muscles while a user is seated also reduces venous flow from the lower extremities. [0005]Current seating designs often exacerbate both of these problems. In particular, many seat designs, especially in the automobile industry, include a base cushion in which the rear of the seat base, which accepts the user's gluteus muscles, is lower than the front of the seat base which supports the knee joint. This forces the spine into kyphosis and increases pressure on the backs of the thighs and gluteus muscles which, as stated above, leads to reduced venous outflow from the lower extremities which in turn increases the risk of DVT and PE, among other things. [0006]A review of the prior art reveals that there are many devices, systems and methods aimed at DVT mitigation. However, the art does not teach the skilled person how seat bases can be designed in order to reduce DVT. Furthermore, a search of various patent databases reveals no art relating to DVT mitigating seat design. It is also apparent from various online news sources that there is considered a need in the industry for seats which are properly designed for DVT mitigation. [0007]There is therefore a need for seat designs which are arranged to increase blood flow in a user thereby mitigating or preventing DVT. [0008]U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,058 (by the same inventor as the present application) discloses a seat system which is designed to prevent spinal shock and reduce lower back pain. This is achieved using a dual density vertical back support and V-shaped horizontal support member. However, there is no teaching in this document relating to DVT mitigation or increasing venous outflow. In particular, there is no teaching of what dimensions or shape the V-shaped support member should take in order to provide correct support and reduce pressure on the backs of the thighs, as suggested according to the teachings of the present invention. [0009]There are known in the art seating designs which address the problems of posture. In particular, it is know to provide seats which increase lordosis in the spine by tilting the entire base cushion so that the an angle of greater than 90 degrees is formed between the vertical back support and the base cushion. Thus the rear of the base cushion is higher than the front. Such cushions support the user's gluteus muscles and the backs of the user's spine. [0010]It has been noted by the applicant that there are problems with prior art of this kind. In particular they do not provide proper support of a user's skeletal structure and cause excess pressure to be exerted on the backs of the thighs. A subject's spinal column is supported by the pelvis. When a user sits the body will try to support itself with the skeletal structure rather than the user's muscles. The lowest part of the human upper skeletal structure is the bottom of the pelvis. The pelvis has two downward protrusions called the ischial tuberosity. It is noted by the applicant that the seats known in the art do not support the ischial tuberosity but instead support the generality of the user's gluteus muscles and the back of the user's upper thighs. Although the intention of such chairs is to support a users gluteus muscles and thighs in such a way as to reduce kyphosis in the spine, without proper support of the ischial tuberosity this is difficult to achieve, highlighting a plain set of deficiencies among the prior art, and underscoring the need for the teachings of the present invention. [0011]Furthermore, because the ischial tuberosity is not supported properly, the user's upper body weight is supported by the gluteus muscles and back of thighs. This reduces venous outflow from the lower extremities as described above. Likewise, the dermal and sub dermal circulatory benefits of this design unexpectedly enhance use of the same both for diabetics (and other classes of treatment requiring patients) and members of the general populace. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012]The present invention provides a seat base apparatus comprising a base cushion structure having a back and a front edge and a top surface provided by a first compressible layer of material, at least one support member disposed within the base cushion structure at the back of the structure below the top surface and more rigid than the first compressible layer and made of a material with an upper surface which slopes back to front at an angle whereby, in use, the pelvis of a user is supported by the ischial tuberosity and is caused to tilt to an open position. [0013]The present invention also provides a seat base apparatus comprising a base cushion structure having a back and a front edge and a top surface provided by a first compressible layer of material, at least one support member disposed within the base cushion structure at the back of the structure below the top surface and more rigid than the first compressible layer and made of a material with an upper surface which is sized to support the ischial tuberosities and not extend further than is necessary to achieve support of the ischial tuberosities such that the gluteus muscles are not supported by the upper surface whereby, in use, the pelvis of a user is supported by the ischial tuberosity and is caused to tilt to an open position. [0014]Preferably, the at least one support member is two support members; wherein each support member is arranged to support a respective ischial tuberosity. [0015]Preferably, each support member is between 6 and 9 cm wide and between 19 to 22 cm long. [0016]Preferably, each support member is 7.6 cm wide and 20.3 cm long. [0017]Preferably, the support members touch at the rear of the base cushion structure and are between 6 cm and 9 cm apart towards the front of the base cushion structure. [0018]Preferably, the support members are 7.6 cm apart towards the front of the base cushion structure. [0019]Preferably, the support member(s) is/are of a greater firmness than the surrounding base cushion structure. [0020]Preferably, there is between 1 lb test and 10 lb test difference in firmness between the support member(s) and the base cushion structure. [0021]Preferably, there is a 5 lb test difference in firmness between the support member(s) and the base cushion structure. [0022]Preferably, the base cushion structure is a single foam element into which the support member(s) is/are inserted. Continue reading about Seating elements and seat base constructions... Full patent description for Seating elements and seat base constructions Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Seating elements and seat base constructions 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 Seating elements and seat base constructions or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Patient chair Next Patent Application: Seat assembly pivot bushing Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Seating elements and seat base constructions patent info. 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