Technical Field

The invention relates to support pillows that can be used in sitting and/or lying position in furniture groups such as armchairs, sofas, chairs, and beds.

Prior Art

In human anatomy, the musculoskeletal system not only carries the burden of our body but also takes different shapes and encounters difficulties during working, carrying, sitting, standing up and lying down. Like all other components, the spine is of great importance in the musculoskeletal system. The spine consists of thirty tree bones. These are called vertebrae. Although the vertebrae differ in shape according to the region they are located in, their anatomical structures are the same. Vertebrae classified according to their shape differences are divided into five groups as Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral and Coccygeal Vertebrae. Below, the mentioned vertebrae are explained in order:

Cervical Vertebrae

They are the seven vertebrae in the neck region starting from the end of the skull (occiput) and extending to the nape of the neck. They control the movement and sensory (motor) activities of the arms and the hands. If an injury at this part of the spine damages the spinal cord, it can cause tenderness in the arms and lower parts of the body (fingers).

Thoracic (Dorsal) Vertebrae

It is the name given to the twelve vertebrae starting from the nape and extending to the end point where the ribs meet with the spine. These vertebrae control the motor and senses of the trunk region. Damage to this area may cause imbalances in breath, heart rhythm or related organs.

Lumbar Vertebrae

There are five vertebrae that hold the lumbar region. If a damage to the lumbar vertebrae puts pressure on the spinal cord, it may cause pain and numbness. If the damage is severe, paraplegic paralysis is experienced, and the remaining functions in the legs and lower regions may be eliminated.

Sacral Vertebrae

It is the name given to five vertebrae in the coccygeal region. These vertebrae control the feet and sexual genital functions. A damage to this region may cause loss of sensory and motor activities in feet and genital sexual functions.

Coccygeal Vertebrae

It is the name given to three to four vertebrae that lie at the tip of the coccyx, stuck together and stumped. These vertebrae alone do not control a region. The traumas to be experienced here may not cause a significant paralysis but may only cause dysfunction in the feet.

When classified in this way, the inner drum-shaped oval parts of the vertebrae are called the corpus, the protrusions on the right and left are transverse processes, and the horn-shaped extension on the posterior part is called the spinous process. Vertebrae are connected to each other by cushions called intervertebral discs.

The role of the discs in the spinal system is to prevent the erosion of the bones by touching each other and to provide flexibility that allows the spine to move.

The spine is also tightly wrapped in connective tissues called ligaments that surround it on all sides. Ligaments that hold the front region are called the anterior ligaments, and those that hold the back region are called the posterior ligaments. The spine system, which forms an integrity with all these elements, performs its duty in a stable state and protects the spinal cord.

Muscles are at least as important as the spine. The focus of our subject is on the back muscles. The back muscles are divided into two groups as superficial and deep.

Superficial back muscles are divided into five as M. Trapezius (trapezoid muscle), M. Latissimus Dorsi (broad back muscle), M. Rhomboideus Major (Great rhomboid muscle) and M. Rhomboideus Minor (Small rhomboid muscle), M. Levator Scapula (Scapula lifting muscle), and M. Serratus Posterior Superior (Upper posterior toothed muscle) and M. Serratus Posterior inferior (Lower posterior toothed muscle).

M Trapezius (trapezoid muscle)

It is the most superficial muscle of the back and covers the upper part of the back and the back of the neck. It pulls the scapula up and in and down and in, and brings it closer to the spine.

M Latissimus Dorsi (Broad back muscle)

It is the widest muscle of the back. It covers the back, lower and side parts of the back. This muscle creates adduction and internal rotation of the arm.

M Rhomboideus Major (Great rhomboid muscle)

It is a small, flat muscle in the shape of a quadrangle behind the trapezius muscle. It pulls the scapula up and in.

M Rhomboideus Minor (Small rhomboid muscle)

It is above the large rhomboid muscle. It pulls the scapula up and in. M Levator Scapula (Scapula lifting muscle) It is on the outside of the back of the neck. It pulls the scapula up, bends the neck outward.

M Serratus Posterior Superior (Upper posterior toothed muscle)

It is behind the rhomboid muscles. When contracted, it expands the chest cavity by raising the ribs upward, and aids inspiration.

M Serratus Posterior inferior (Lower posterior toothed muscle)

It is behind the latissimus dorsi muscle. When contracted, it pulls the ribs downward, narrowing the chest cavity and aiding expiration (breathing).

The deep back muscles are the main muscles of the back and are placed in longitudinal grooves on both sides of the spinous protrusions of the vertebrae. Deep back muscles are generally located in a superficial and deep position. These muscles cause extension, lateral flexion and rotation of the head and spine; also allow the body to stand upright.

The spine and muscles mentioned above have solid structures. However, they are also sensitive. A defect in their structures affects not only the related spine and muscle, but also other organs or functions.

There are various reasons for neck, back and waist pain:

Sedentary Life

Most back pains are due to the sedentary lifestyle that regular sports and exercise are not a part of our lives. Poor posture, sitting at a desk / computer for a long time, lack of condition and weakness of the back muscles can bring pain.

Injuries

Sports injuries, traffic accidents and similar injuries are the second most common causes of back pain. Pain may occur due to a wide range of injuries ranging from simple injuries such as crushing and stretching in the muscles to various fractures. Such injuries may be accompanied by nerve damage or may pose a risk for nerve damage in the future.

Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a common disease that develops depending on the living conditions of today's societies, and can spread to shoulder blades, shoulders and cause widespread body pain. Stress, anxiety, and similar factors can also increase fibromyalgia. It is not uncommon for morning stiffness to accompany, to increase in cold and humid weather, to bring fatigue, difficulty in concentration and headaches. These complaints may not all be seen at the same time, and symptoms may differ from person to person. It can be seen in all genders and all ages. The cause is not known for sure.

Hernia

Hernias in the discs, which are the cushions between the vertebrae, are more common in the neck and waist. Less commonly, there may also be a hernia in the back area. Hernia may cause girdle-like pain or tingling in certain areas of the chest wall by pressing on a nerve root depending on the area where it occurs. If the hernia that occurs will put pressure on the spinal cord, there may be difficulty in walking and a shortening in walking distance. Osteoclasis

It is because the mineral density in the bones decreases and becomes more fragile. This fracture most often occurs in the vertebrae. These collapse fractures in the vertebrae can cause back pain. Although it can be seen in both genders, it is more common in women. Rheumatic diseases

It is a group of diseases that originate from the connective tissues around bones and joints and manifest with bone-muscle-joint pain. Ankylosing spondylitis and some rheumatic diseases can affect the spine, causing back pain. Contrary to the general belief, they are not the old age diseases seen only in the elderly. Rheumatic diseases can be seen at any age.

Deformity (Scoliosis kyphosis etc.)

Scoliosis of unknown cause is not generally a cause of pain. In moderate curvatures that do not require surgery, back pain may be a cause with the addition of joint degeneration as age increases.

Tumours

Benign and malignant tumours originating from the bone or nerve structures of the spine can cause back pain, as well as tumours such as breast, lung, prostate, etc. can spread to the spine and cause back pain. It is one of the important features that it occurs as night pain and does not go away with rest. Symptoms such as fever, weight loss and malaise may also accompany.

Degenerative changes

With age, disorders and calcifications occur in the joints and discs between the vertebrae. The discs can lose their liquid content and cause bulges. These changes can cause back pain. These changes in joints, bones and discs can narrow the space available for the spinal cord, causing narrow canal and nerve pain.

Reflected Pain

Back pain can also occur due to "reflected pain" caused by organs in various parts of the body in addition to the muscles and bones in the back region. In such cases, your back pain may be a harbinger of lung diseases, heart diseases, stomach problems and similar conditions. Other reasons

Various metabolic and microbial conditions can also cause back pain.

The measurements of cervical curve (neck region), thoracic curve (back region), lumbar curve (waist region) and sacral curve (coccyx) are different in every person. When the physical deformations are added to this, the number of these differences increases.

Body support products are also preferred along with many treatment methods for waist, back and shoulder pains. Pillows made of sponge material are generally used in support products. Particularly, lumbar support pillows are widely used today. Lumbar support pillows are used only to fill the waist gap.

Some of the support pillows known as “Wedge Support Pillow” in the prior art have buttons on the edges to hold and level the auxiliary support piece. The support piece is brought to the desired level by being buttoned on both sides. The support parts used in the mentioned support pillow are fixed by means of buttons. Product use is limited to the levels provided by the predefined button spacing. Because it is not possible to add an unlimited number of buttons. In addition, it is very difficult to remove and attach the support parts to the buttons. In order to determine the pillow level, the user has to sacrifice his comfort. Because it is not possible to perform this process in the resting position. In the prior art, support pillows made of sponge, viscoelastic foam or fibre are generally used to fill the waist gap. Support products with springy or elastic structure are also used to fill the waist gap. Generally, people who work sitting on a chair prefer the mentioned products to support their waist. In homes, the pillows next to the armchairs and sofas are used as waist, neck, and back support. However, pillows are not designed in accordance with the back shape of people, that is, human anatomy. It is mostly produced for decorative purposes. Purpose of the Invention

The purpose of the invention is to obtain an ergonomic neck and lumbar support pillow that supports cervical curve (neck region), thoracic curve (back region), lumbar curve (waist region), and sacral curve (coccyx) and can be adjusted according to the body anatomy.

Another purpose of the invention is to obtain a support pillow that provides neck support along with the waist.

Another purpose of the invention is to obtain a support pillow that can be used without leaning on a wall, sofa, armchair, etc. to provide lumbar and neck support. Another purpose of the invention is to obtain a support pillow that includes adjustable support parts that allow people of different body sizes to use.

Another purpose of the invention is to obtain a neck and lumbar support pillow that includes washable cover.

Support pillow developed to achieve the mentioned purposes include a trunk (2), auxiliary support pads (3), adjusting strip (4), a pocket (5) and a seat cushion (6). In alternative embodiments of the invention, the support pillow (1) includes an adjusting belt (7) instead of the adjusting strip (4).

Description of Figures

Attached Figure- 1 is the front perspective view of the support pillow. Figure-2 is the side view of the support pillow.

Figure-3 is the front perspective view of the support pillow used in the alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-4 is the front perspective view of the auxiliary support pad.

Figure-5 is the bottom view of the auxiliary support pad. Figure-6 is the front perspective view of the auxiliary support pad used in the alternative embodiment.

Figure-7 is the front perspective view of the support pillow for the alternative embodiment.

Figure-8 is the front perspective view of the support pillow for the alternative embodiment.

Figure-9 is the side view of the support pillow for the alternative embodiment.

The main parts expressed in the figures are given below as numbers and names:

(1) Support pillow

(2) Trunk

(2.1) Camber

(3) Auxiliary support pad

(3.1) Bridge

(3.2) Fixing part

(4) Adjusting strip

(5) Pocket

(6) Seat cushion

(7) Adjusting belt

Explanation of the Invention

The invention relates to support pillows that can be used in sitting and/or lying position in furniture groups such as armchairs, sofas, chairs, and beds. Support pillow (1) includes the trunk (2), the auxiliary support pad (3), the adjusting strip (4), the pocket (5) and the seat cushion (6). In the alternative embodiment of the invention, the adjusting belt (7) is used instead of the adjusting strip (4).

The trunk (2) has a substantially triangular prism appearance. The adjusting strip (4) and the pockets (5) are positioned on the trunk (2). In the alternative embodiment of the invention, a waist support camber (2.1) is located on the part of the trunk (2) that reaches the waist and back region. The waist support camber (2.1), in addition to the auxiliary support parts (3), relaxes the spine system by filling the lumbar cavity in the case of leaning. With the camber (2.1), the load on the waist and spine is reduced and the body relaxes.

There is a carrying handle on the trunk (2) so that the support pillow (1) can be carried easily. With the carrying handle, the support pillow (1) can be easily carried with one hand.

Two adjusting strips (4) are positioned on the trunk (2) to adjust the positions of the auxiliary support pads (3) and not to separate them from the trunk (2). The adjusting strips (4) wrap around the trunk (2). Said adjusting strips (4) are fixed on the trunk (2). In the alternative embodiment of the invention, adjusting belts (7) can also be used instead of adjusting strips (4). The adjusting belts (7) can be sewn on the trunk (2) or remain free.

The adjusting strips (4) contain velcro loops. Said velcro loops hold on to the velcro hooks in the fixing part (3.2) below the auxiliary support pad (3). Thus, the auxiliary support pad (3) can be brought to the desired position along the adjusting strip (4) and fixed. In the alternative implementation of the invention, the auxiliary support pad (3) may consist entirely of velcro hooks instead of the fixing part (3.2).

Velcro fasteners consist of velcro hooks and velcro rings. The velcro hooks used in the support pillow (1) subject to the invention are produced from a slightly harder material compared to the velcro loops. For this reason, velcro hooks are used under the auxiliary support pad (3) to prevent contact with the user. Velcro loops, on the other hand, are positioned on the adjusting strip (4) on the trunk (2) on which the user will lean, since they have a softer structure compared to the said velcro hooks. In this way, the user's clothes are prevented from sticking to the velcro loops. In alternative embodiments of the invention, velcro loops and hooks can replace each other. The adjusting strip (4) with velcro loops is fixed on the trunk (2) by sewing technique. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the adjusting strip (4) can be fixed on the trunk (2) with buttons, snaps, magnets, etc.

The snaps used in the alternative embodiment of the invention are of two types: male and female. While there are male snaps on the adjusting strip (4) or the adjusting belt (7), there are female snaps on the part of the auxiliary support pad (3) facing the trunk (2) or on the bridge (3.1). Male snaps can be fixed on the trunk (2) at 1 cm intervals or at specified distances. The female snap on the auxiliary support pad (3) is locked with the male snap on the trunk (2), ensuring that the said auxiliary support pad (3) stays at the desired level. In alternative embodiments of the invention, male and female snaps can replace each other.

Three auxiliary support pads (3) are used in the support pillow (1) subject to the invention. Auxiliary support pads (3) are used to support the cervical curve (neck region), thoracic curve (back region), lumbar curve (lumbar region) and/or sacral curve (coccyx). In alternative embodiments of the invention, one or more auxiliary support pads (3) can be used depending on the demand and need.

The auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the lumbar region has a semi-circular cylindrical structure. In this way, the sacrum (coccyx bone) and lumbar region of the body are supported by forming a whole with the waist support camber (2.1). Thus, the load on the spine is distributed to the body. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the lumbar region can be found in different shapes such as a full circle, cylindrical and triangular prism.

The purpose of the auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the lumbar region is to fill the waist and back areas. The auxiliary support pad (3) for the mentioned waist area is made of sponge, fibre, wool, and viscose materials. Since the auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the waist region is produced from materials that change shape under load, it can have different geometric shapes. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a semi-circular cylindrical shaped auxiliary support pad (3) is used. The auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the neck area is made of sponge, fibre, wool, and viscose materials and has a semi-circular cylindrical shape. The auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the neck area provides comfort in the neck area by filling the neck cavity. In addition, it prevents problems such as hernia, neck straightening and stiffness before they exist.

The auxiliary support pad (3) used to support the neck region takes the shape of the body under load due to the material it is produced from. For this reason, it can also be in different geometric shapes such as full-circular cylindrical and triangular prism. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, an auxiliary support pad (3) with a semi-circular cylindrical shape is used.

There is a bridge (3.1) on the auxiliary support pad (3) used in the alternative embodiment of the invention that provides connection with the adjusting belt (7). The bridge (3.1) is sewn to the auxiliary support pad (3). The said bridge (3.1) can be made of the same material as the adjusting belt (7), as well as from different types of materials. With the bridge (3.1), the auxiliary support pad (3) is positioned comfortably on the trunk (2), and its separation from the trunk (2) is prevented. Thus, thanks to the adjusting belt (7) and the bridge (3.1), the user can position the auxiliary support pads (3) as desired, without sacrificing his comfort.

In the alternative embodiment of the invention, the bridge (3.1) may include velcro and/or snap fasteners. The velcro and/or snap fastener on the bridge (3.1) can be fixed to each other with the velcro and/or snap fastener located on the adjusting belt (7) and the auxiliary support pad (3) can be adjusted.

The auxiliary support pad (3) and the trunk (2) are covered with a removable cover. In this way, contaminated surfaces can be easily removed and cleaned by washing. The adjusting belt (7) used in the alternative embodiment of the invention can also be easily removed and washed. When the adjusting strip (4) is sewn on the trunk (2), it can be removed together with the trunk (2) and cleaned easily. The auxiliary support pads (3) can be easily moved on the adjusting strip (4) or the adjusting belt (7) and can stay at the desired level. In an alternative embodiment, the bridges (3.1) in the auxiliary support pads (3) hold onto the adjusting belt (7). Since the auxiliary support pads (3) are made of soft material, they do not slide on each other with the trunk (2), which is also made up of soft material. Thus, the auxiliary support pads (3) stay at the desired level.

The trunk (2) and the auxiliary support pads (3) have certain density values that can take the shape of the body.

The support pillow (1) subject to the invention comprises a seat cushion (6) that the user can easily use upon request. The seat cushion (6) is partially or completely filled with sponge for the comfort of the user. In addition, there is a non-slip fabric on the lower surface of the said seat cushion (6) to prevent the user from slipping. In alternative embodiments of the invention, specific materials such as silicone etc. can be used on the lower surface of the seat cushion (6) to prevent slipping.

The seat cushion (6) is designed as an extension of the support pillow (1). Thus, when leaning against the support pillow (1), the said support pillow (1) is prevented from going back, sliding, and tipping over. In this way, the support pillow (1) can be attached to the wall, sofa, armchair, etc. It can be used without leaning to anywhere. Thus, a comfortable use is obtained.

There is a pocket (5) on the right and/or left sides of the trunk (2) of the support pillow (1). Pocket (5) enables the users to store his various needs and to instantly meet his needs without disturbing his comfort.

The invention relates to support pillows that can be used in sitting and/or lying position in furniture groups such as armchairs, sofas, chairs, and beds and is characterised in that including:

- A trunk (2) with a substantially triangular prism appearance,

- An auxiliary support pad (3) that supports the cervical (neck), thoracic (back), lumbar (waist) and sacral (tail) areas of the body, can be adjusted in accordance with the body anatomy, provides comfort by distributing the load to the body and thus prevents discomfort such as hernia, neck straightening and neck stiffness,

- At least one adjusting strip (4) that provides adjustment of the positions of said auxiliary support pads (3),

- At least one fixing part (3.2) that provides a comfortable positioning of the said auxiliary support pad (3) along the said adjusting strip (4) on the trunk (2) and provides mechanical locking with said adjusting strip (4) for stable use.