Torso device

Abstract

The torso device includes a body with a central opening between an integral front and rear member for placing a user's torso. The front member has a top surface or tabletop, and both the front and rear members have surface areas for contacting the user's torso. The front and rear members are configured to apply compressive forces to the user's torso. When the user moves from a seated to a standing position and / or when the user walks, the surface areas and compressive forces of the front and rear members work together to maintain the front member in its desired position relative to the user when placed in the central opening, such as perpendicular to the user's torso or parallel to the floor the user is standing on, thus providing an easy-to-use tabletop to assist with certain tasks or activities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The apparatus disclosed herein relates to a table or horizontal surface that can be used by a human user, and more specifically, includes a table or horizontal surface structure configured to be worn by a human user so that the user can use the table while sitting, standing, or walking to facilitate certain activities that may benefit from using the table. [Related patent references]

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 169,385, filed February 5, 2021, with the same invention title, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Copyright Notice]

[0003] This patent document contains a portion of copyrighted material. The copyright holder does not object to any fax reproduction of patent documents or patent disclosures appearing in the Patent and Trademark Office's patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright. Prior Technology

[0004] The use of tables or horizontal support members or elements is known in the art and is typically provided as stand-alone objects that a human user can use by positioning themselves in a manner that allows the user to utilize the table. Generally, tables or horizontal support members are configured such that when a user is seated near the table in a chair or similar object, the user can utilize the top surface of the table, for example, for performing certain activities or tasks. Alternatively, standing tables are also known as stand-alone objects, the height of which allows the user to utilize the top surface of the standing table, for example, for specific activities or tasks, when the user is approaching the standing table in a standing posture.

[0005] While tables and horizontal support components or elements as described above are known in the art, they fail to meet the needs of today's increasingly mobile users who require the ability to use the table or horizontal support component or surface while they are moving (e.g., walking, moving from one location to another, and standing). It is no longer convenient for users to move or position themselves near a conventional table, whether seated or standing, and they desire a table or horizontal surface that can easily move with them, allowing them to use the table while on the move or wherever they decide to stop or stand. Therefore, it is desirable to develop devices that meet these evolving needs of today's users, providing a table or horizontal support surface that allows users to use it while on the move or wherever they might stop, without requiring them to position themselves in a specific location (i.e., the table's location) to perform or carry out certain tasks or activities, and to benefit from the convenience of having a table surface always present beside them. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The torso device disclosed herein comprises a main body with a central opening located between a front member and a rear member. The front and rear members are integral structures along the opening end of the front member. The front member includes a closed end. The front member includes a rear edge, and the rear member includes a front edge oriented opposite to the rear edge of the front member. The rear edge of the front member and the front edge of the rear member each have a surface area configured to contact an adjacent portion of the user's torso when placed in the central opening. When the device is in a relaxed state, i.e., when the user's torso is not located in the central opening, the closed end of the front member is biased inward toward the rear member, and contacts it if it is not immediately adjacent to the rear member.

[0007] The central opening configuration is designed to accommodate the placement of the human torso within it by moving the closed end from a relaxed state away from the rear member to an excited state, thereby forming an open channel into the central opening, which accommodates the movement of the user's torso into the central opening. When the user's torso is placed within the central opening, the surface areas of the front and rear members contact adjacent portions of the torso and apply compressive forces to the user's torso. The combination of surface area contact and compressive forces acts to maintain the desired placement of the torso device relative to the user's torso as the user moves from a sitting to a standing position and / or stands and / or walks, such that the front member extends substantially perpendicular to the human torso or parallel to the floor on which the user is standing, without being supported by the user's hands and / or any other elements or components. In one example, the combination of surface area contact and compressive forces maintains the desired placement of the torso device relative to the user as the user moves from a sitting to a standing position and as the user walks. In one example, the compressive force may be greater than about 0.2 ft·lb and may be greater than about 0.4 ft·lb. In one example, this desired placement of the torso device relative to the user is achieved without using the user's arms or hands and without using any other fastening elements or mechanisms.

[0008] In one example, the rear member of the body includes an elongated element extending upward therefrom. The elongated element is configured to provide a greater surface area within the central opening that contacts the user's back and provides greater vertical stiffness to the device, thereby resisting downward movement of the front member relative to the user's torso positioned within the central opening. In one example, the elongated element has a height, measured from the bottom surface of the rear member to the top surface of the elongated element, that is at least 1.5 times the thickness of the front member (measured between the top and bottom surfaces of the front member).

[0009] In one example, the first component of the body may have a thickness that is not constant and varies as it moves from the front edge to the rear edge. In one example, the front component of the body may have a lip element that protrudes upward from the top surface of the front component and may be positioned adjacent to one or both of the front edge and the rear edge of the front component. In one example, the first and second components are formed of first and second elastic materials, respectively, wherein the density of the first elastic material is greater than the density of the second elastic material. In one example, the first component comprises a majority of the first elastic material and a small amount of the second elastic material. In one example, the first elastic material extends upward from the bottom surface of the first component, comprising a majority of the thickness of the first component (measured between the bottom and top surfaces). In one example, the rear component has the same construction as the first component, which comprises both the first and second elastic materials.

[0010] This summary is provided to introduce the conceptual choices further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0011] The torso device disclosed herein will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar element symbols refer to similar elements, and wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 is a first-side perspective front view of an example torso device as disclosed herein;

[0013] Figure 2 is a second-side perspective front view of the example torso device in Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 3 is a first-side perspective rear view of the example torso device in Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 4 is a second-side perspective rear view of the example torso device in Figure 1;

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective rear view of the example torso device in Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary torso device as disclosed herein, which includes a sloped or inclined top surface;

[0018] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary torso device as disclosed herein, including a top surface edge lip;

[0019] Figure 8 is a first-side perspective front view of the example torso device of Figure 1, which includes the inner cover;

[0020] Figure 9 is a first-side perspective front view of the example torso device of Figure 1, which includes the outer cover;

[0021] Figure 10 is a second-side perspective front view of the example torso device in Figure 9;

[0022] Figure 11 is a second-side perspective front view of the example torso device in Figure 9;

[0023] Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary torso device as disclosed herein, which includes shoulder straps;

[0024] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a user using the device in a walking posture; and

[0025] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a user using the device while standing.

[0026] All diagrams shown in this article are copyrighted by Zenoff Products, Inc. 2021-2022. All rights reserved. Implementation

[0027] As disclosed herein, a torso device typically comprises a main body having a front member, a rear member, a first side element extending laterally from one side of the rear member toward the front member and separated from the front member, and a second side element extending laterally from the opposite side of the rear member and integral with the front member (i.e., the front and rear members of the main body are an integral structure via the second side element). In this configuration, a central opening is formed between the front and rear members, the central opening having specific dimensions and configuration to allow fitting around the torso or waist of a human user and providing a desired degree of compression or squeezing to the torso so that the torso device can remain in a horizontal position when worn, for example, parallel to the floor and / or perpendicular to the user's torso. The torso device may include a securing or adjusting strap connecting the first side element to an adjacent portion of the front member, allowing the user to achieve a further desired degree of fit around the user's torso or waist.

[0028] The front member of the torso device includes a rear edge sized to provide sufficient surface area for contact with the front and sides of the user's torso, helping to prevent downward movement of the front member of the torso device while the user wears it. The rear member of the torso device is specifically configured to have an elongated element extending upwards from the rear member by the required distance to provide the necessary additional surface area for contact with the back of the user's torso, helping to maintain the desired horizontal position of the top surface of the front member and helping to prevent unwanted downward movement of the torso device while the user wears it. In one example, the dimensions and configuration of the front member are designed to provide the user with a desired top surface immediately available in front of the user when the user is sitting, walking, or standing, enabling the user to perform certain tasks or activities that may benefit from the presence of a horizontal surface, such as working on a laptop or tablet, playing games, fishing, writing, sewing, eating, reading, etc., without requiring the user to reposition themselves, such as moving to a separate tabletop or other separate horizontal support element, thus enabling use while standing or moving (e.g., walking).

[0029] Figure 1 shows an exemplary torso device 10 as disclosed herein, comprising a body 11 having a front member 12, the front member 12 including a vertically oriented front edge 14 extending laterally along the front side of the front member 12. In an example, the front edge 14 is configured to have a curved surface extending laterally or horizontally relative to the front member 12 in a rearward direction from the midpoint 16 of the front edge 14. In one example, the front edge 14 extends rearward from the midpoint 16 (relative to a first side 18 of the device) to a rear member 20 and is integral with the rear member 20. In another example, the front edge 14 extends rearward from the midpoint 16 (relative to a second side 22 of the device) to an end 24, the end 24 being separate from and not connected to the rear member 20. The front edge 14 of the front member is configured to be convexly curved outward. Although the front edge 14 of the front member is shown and described as having a curved shape, it should be understood that the front edge 14 of the front member may have different configurations of shape and is within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0030] The front member 12 of the torso device includes a vertically oriented rear edge 26, which extends laterally or horizontally from the end 24 of the front edge 14 to an opening end 28 along the rear side of the front member opposite the front edge 14. The opening end 28 is integral with the front member 12 and the rear member 20, forming an integral connection between the front member 12 and the rear member 20. In one example, the rear edge 26 of the front member is configured as a concave curve for mounting around or against the front of the human torso or waist. The front member 12 of the torso device is configured to have a top or tabletop 30 and an opposing bottom surface 32, both of which extend horizontally and parallel to each other between the front edge 14 and the rear edge 26 along their respective top and bottom edges.

[0031] The front member has a thickness measured between a top surface 30 and a bottom surface 32. This thickness is configured to provide a desired level of surface area along the rear edge, such that when positioned to contact the front and sides of the user's torso, the contact surface area resists unwanted downward movement of the torso device (e.g., the front member), thereby maintaining the device in the desired position on the user. When the user is standing or walking, the top surface of the front member remains perpendicular to the user's torso (and / or parallel to the floor the user is standing or walking on). Furthermore, the thickness configuration of the front member provides the necessary stiffness, enabling the user to use the front member to perform certain tasks or activities, such as working on a laptop, reading, working at a desk, eating, etc. Furthermore, as described in more detail below, the thickness of the front member also works in conjunction with the rear member (integrated therewith), the configuration of the front and rear members, and the materials used to form them, to provide the necessary compression or pressure on the user's torso during wear, combined with the surface area and the relevant contact area of ​​the user's torso, to maintain the torso-supporting front member in an ideal position perpendicular to the user's torso and / or parallel to the floor where the user is standing or walking. In one example, the thickness of the front member is greater than about 2 inches, about 3 to 8 inches, about 4 to 6 inches, and in a preferred embodiment about 5 inches. It should be understood that the exact thickness of the front member may differ from the example dimensions provided, depending on the type or stiffness of the material used to form the front member and / or the specific task or activity the user is to perform, and such variations in thickness are intended to fall within the scope of this invention.

[0032] While a torso component 12 with a generally constant thickness has been described, it should be understood that the torso component 12 may be configured differently, for example, with a non-constant thickness, to provide required features and / or functionality or to facilitate adaptation to specific user tasks or activities. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the torso component 12 of an example torso component 10 taken along its midpoint 16 (as shown in Figure 1). In this example, the torso component 12 is configured with a different or varying thickness (measured between the top surface 30 and the bottom surface 32) that decreases in a gradient from the front edge 16 to the rear edge 26. The varying thickness may extend only along a portion of the cross-section of the torso component, extend a defined distance from one or both sides of the midpoint 16, or may extend along the entirety of the torso component 12. In one example, the gradient (or gradual change in thickness) may be greater than about 1 / 4 inch, from about 1 / 2 to 5 inches, from about 3 / 4 to 4 inches, and in a preferred example, between about 1 to 2 inches. In such an example, to ensure that an item or object placed on the top surface 30 does not easily move off the device (e.g., roll away from the front edge 14) but instead tends to move inward toward the rear edge 26 and toward the user, it may be necessary to use a front member with an inwardly sloping top surface. In such a specific embodiment, the rear edge of the front member will still maintain the desired surface area described above to maintain the placement of the front member on the user. Furthermore, while exemplary specific embodiments of front members with non-constant or varying thicknesses have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that other examples (e.g., examples with stepped or non-gradient thickness variations) are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0033] As discussed in more detail below, the front member 12 of the torso device may be formed of a single layer of material or of two or more layers of material. Figure 6 shows an example of the front member 14 being formed of two layers of material, namely a top material layer 34 and a bottom material layer 36. In this example, the aforementioned gradient thickness feature can be achieved by using the top material layer 34, which is configured with a top surface 30 having a gradient thickness and a horizontal bottom surface 38, whereby the top bottom surface 38 is bonded to the opposite horizontal top surface 40 of the bottom material layer 36 having a uniform thickness. Although specific examples of torso devices with non-constant thickness have been disclosed and described, it should be understood that this is only an example configuration provided for reference, and other configurations may be used with the torso device disclosed herein. For example, for certain tasks and / or activities, it may be desirable to configure the torso device with a gradient thickness that decreases (when measured along the midpoint of the front member) from the rear edge 26 to the front edge 14 (i.e., in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 6). Therefore, it should be understood that all such configurations of torso devices with non-constant thickness of the front components are intended to fall within the scope of torso devices disclosed herein.

[0034] In another example, the torso device 10 may be configured with a top surface having a front member 12 of non-gradient, non-constant thickness. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the front member 12 of an example torso device 10 taken along its midpoint 16 (e.g., shown in Figure 1). In this example, the front member 12 is configured with a lip element 42 that projects outward from the top surface 30 by a distance and extends a distance from or near the front edge 14 toward the rear edge 26. The lip element 42 may extend only along a portion of the front member's cross-section, extend a defined distance from one or both sides of the midpoint 16, or may extend along the entire front member. The lip element 42 may also be configured differently, for example, having a rounded, flat, or pointed shape, depending on the specific user task and / or activity it facilitates. In one example, the lip element 42 may extend from the top surface 30 at a height greater than about 1 / 4 inch, about 1 / 2 to 5 inches, about 3 / 4 to 4 inches, and in a preferred example, between about 1 to 2 inches. In such an example, to ensure that an item or object placed on the top surface 30 does not easily move out of the torso device during use, but remains positioned on the top surface 30 between the lip element 42 and the user's torso in contact with the rear edge 26, it may be necessary to use the front member top surface lip element 42. As discussed in more detail below, the front member 12 of the device may be formed of a single layer of material, or it may be formed of two or more layers of material.

[0035] As with the construction in Figure 6, Figure 7 shows an example of the front member 14 being formed of two layers of material; namely, a top material layer 34 and a bottom material layer 36. In this example, the aforementioned lip element 42 can be implemented using a top layer 34 configured to have a top surface 30 and a horizontal bottom surface 38 for the lip element 42, whereby the top bottom surface 38 engages with the opposing planar horizontal top surface 40 of the bottom layer 36 having a constant thickness. Although specific examples of torso devices with lip elements 42 have been disclosed and described, it should be understood that this is only an example configuration provided for reference, and other configurations can be used with the torso devices disclosed herein. For example, for certain user tasks and / or activities, it may be desirable for the torso device to have a lip element positioned to extend upward from or adjacent to the rear edge 26 of the front member, for example to provide a gradual upward transition from the top surface of the front member to the front of the user's waist, operable to provide a desired increased contact surface area between the rear edge of the front member and the user's torso to better maintain the torso device's position relative to the user. Alternatively, it may be desirable to configure the torso assembly with lip elements located at or near the front edge 14 and rear edge 26 of the front member, respectively. These are merely a few examples of alternative configurations of torso assemblies containing one or more lip elements disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that all such configurations of torso assemblies having one or more lip elements extending from the front member are intended to fall within the scope of torso assemblies disclosed herein.

[0036] Furthermore, although not shown, the torso device disclosed herein can be configured to include a combination of non-constant (e.g., gradient) thickness of the front member (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) and a front member lip element (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, it should be understood that all such combinations of features are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the front member 12 has a width measured horizontally between the front edge 14 and the rear edge 26, which varies depending on the measurement location. As shown, the width of the front member increases from a minimum at end 24 to a maximum at midpoint 16, and then decreases from midpoint 16 to the open end 28 integral with the rear member. In one example, the width of the front member at midpoint 16 may be greater than about 3 inches, about 4 to 16 inches, about 6 to 12 inches, and in a preferred embodiment about 9 inches. It should be understood that the exact width of the front member at midpoint 16 may differ from the provided example dimensions depending on the specific user task and / or activity, and such dimensional variations are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the width of the front member may vary according to the desired amount of pressure or compression applied to the user's torso during use to maintain the torso support's placement on the user.

[0038] The front member 12 has a maximum length measured horizontally along the top surface 30 perpendicular to the midpoint 16. The length and width of the front member work together to provide the desired compression or pressure on the user's torso to maintain the torso device's placement on the user and accommodate user tasks and / or activities that can be performed on the top surface 30. In one example, the maximum length of the front member measured between the front edge 14 and the rear edge 26 is at least 14 inches, from about 16 to 26 inches, from about 18 to 24 inches, and in a preferred embodiment, about 20 inches. It should be understood that the length dimensions of the front member provided above are for reference only, and the torso device disclosed herein may have different sizes depending on the desired amount of inward compression or pressure placed on the user's torso and / or the specific user task and / or activity, and all these different sizes of torso devices are intended to fall within the scope of the torso devices disclosed herein.

[0039] In one example, the top surface 30 of the torso device's front component may include one or more selective surface features that may be integral with it, i.e., formed as part of the top surface, and whose configuration, size, and / or position may be designed to facilitate the user's use of the torso device to perform specific tasks and / or activities. For example, such surface features may take the form of one or more protrusions configured to help hold or support a laptop or tablet computer. Optionally, the top surface may be configured to contact, connect, or attach to individual components that may assist in the use of a particular user device or component. Therefore, it should be understood that all such configurations of the surface features of the front component's top surface or other components, regardless of shape, size, and / or placement, are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0040] The main rear member 20 of the torso device 10 extends laterally or horizontally from its integral connection with the opening end 28 of the front member, forming a monolithic structure, and passes through the opposing rear edge 26 of the front member, thereby forming a user opening 46 or oral cavity. The user opening 46 is formed or defined between the rear edge 26 of the front member, the opening end 28 of the front member, and the vertically oriented front edge 48 of the rear member. The user opening 46 is accessed through an open channel formed between the end 24 of the front member and the rear member 20. In one example, the front edge 48 of the rear member is constructed to be flat or planar, allowing for a considerable width of contact with the user's back when the user's waist or torso is located in the opening 46. In one example, the length of the front edge 48 of the rear member (measured as along the planar portion) extending horizontally along the user opening 44 is greater than about 10 inches, about 12 to 18 inches, about 13 to 16 inches, and in a preferred embodiment about 14 inches. It should be understood that the exact horizontal length of the front edge 48 of the rear component may differ from the provided example size depending on the desired contact area with the user, and such variation in size is intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0041] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the features of the example torso device 10 and the front edge end 24 of the front member, and their placement relative to the rear member 20. As shown, the rear member 20 includes a side element 50 located at one end of the rear member relative to the opening end 28 of the front member. The side element 50 is integral with the front edge 48 of the rear member and extends laterally or horizontally from the front edge 48 to an end 52. The rear member side element 50 is configured to have a curved shape that is biased inward toward the adjacent and opposite unattached front edge 14 of the front member, adjacent to the outer surface of the end 24. In one example, the side element 50 has a thickness measured between the top surface 53 and the bottom surface 54 that is substantially the same as the thickness of the adjacent and opposite portions of the front edge 14 of the front member, thereby providing a continuous transition between them when the user wears the device.

[0042] The torso device disclosed herein is characterized by an integral construction of the front member 12 and the rear member 20 via an open end 28, and a configuration of the opposing surfaces of the front and rear members forming an opening 46 to apply a desired squeezing or compressive force to the user's torso when placed in the opening 46, and to provide the required amount of surface area in contact with the user's torso. This configuration operates in combination to maintain the desired torso device position on the user when the user moves (e.g., from a sitting position to a standing position or walking) or stands without additional support from the user's hands or other elements or components to maintain this desired position; that is, the front member remains substantially perpendicular to the user's torso. In one example, the device contacts approximately 75% and greater than approximately 85% of the user's torso when placed within the opening, thereby utilizing the contact surface area with the user's torso and the squeezing or compressive force to maintain the desired torso device position. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in the relaxed state, the rear end 24 of the torso device's front member is biased inward toward the edge 26 of the rear member, such that it contacts or is separated from the front edge 48 of the rear member by only a small distance (e.g., 0.5 to 1 inch), and is positioned inside the side element 50 of the rear member, such that in the relaxed state, the side element 50 extends around the front surface of the front member, away from the end 24. Together with the inward bias of the front member end 24 toward the rear member 20, the placement of the front member end 24 inside the side element 50 of the rear member, and the relative curvature of the rear edge 26 of the front member and the rear surface 48 of the rear member, these features are designed to provide the desired degree of compression or pressure on the user's torso once positioned within the opening 46, while simultaneously providing the desired degree of surface area contact between the user's torso and the device to maintain the device's placement on the user's torso (front member perpendicular to the torso and / or parallel to the floor where the user is standing or walking) when the user moves (e.g., walks) or stands. One feature of the torso device disclosed in this article is that once the user wears it, the torso device is maintained in this desired position relative to the user, and the user does not need to use their arms or hands to maintain or adjust the position of the torso device.

[0043] In one example, measurements are taken of a torso assembly configured in this manner to determine the forces associated with moving the front member end 24 and the rear member 20 away from their relaxed state. Measurements are taken by holding the front member in a fixed position and moving the rear member away from its relaxed state. A force gauge is attached to the rear member 20 at a point where the side element 50 extends from the rear edge 48 of the rear member, and the force measured on the force gauge is measured as the rear member moves from its relaxed position. As the rear member 20 is pulled away from the front member 12, the following forces are measured as a function of the angle of the rear member relative to the fixed front member (i.e., relative to the axis extending along the length of the fixed front member): approximately 0.2 ft·lb at approximately 1 to 4 degrees; approximately 0.3 ft·lb at approximately 10 to 15 degrees; approximately 0.4 ft·lb at approximately 20 to 30 degrees; approximately 0.5 ft·lb at approximately 40 to 50 degrees; approximately 0.6 ft·lb at approximately 51 to 60 degrees; approximately 0.7 ft·lb at 62 to 74 degrees; approximately 0.8 ft·lb at approximately 75 to 80 degrees; approximately 0.9 ft·lb at approximately 81 to 84 degrees; approximately 1.0 ft·lb at approximately 85 to 87 degrees; and approximately 1.1 ft·lb at approximately 88 to 90 degrees. Therefore, based on this force measurement information, the critical force required to move the end 24 of the front member from its relaxed state away from the front edge 48 of the rear member by a distance of approximately 2 to 4 inches is at least 0.2 ft·lb, a distance insufficient for a user to enter the opening 46. The critical force required to move the end 24 of the front member from its relaxed state to a distance of approximately 12 inches from the front edge 48 of the rear member is at least 0.4 ft·lb, a distance potentially sufficient for a user to enter the opening. Based on this measurement information, when the user is within the opening 46, the torso device applies compressive forces of at least 0.2 ft·lb, approximately 0.3 to 0.8 ft·lb, and approximately 0.4 to 0.7 ft·lb to the user's torso. While such force measurements have been provided for an example torso device (containing preferred measurements and formed of preferred elastic materials as described herein), it should be understood that different force measurements may occur if the dimensions are different and / or if formed of different types of elastic materials, and such different force measurements and associated compressive forces are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0044] Figures 3 and 5 show an example torso device 10 and a rear member 20 including an elongated element 56. The elongated element 56 extends laterally or horizontally along a planar portion of the front edge 48 of the rear member (shown in Figures 1 and 2), for example, greater than about 10 inches, about 12 to 18 inches, about 13 to 16 inches, and about 14 inches in a preferred embodiment. The elongated element 56 extends upward from the front edge 48 of the rear member. Together with the front edge 48 of the rear member, the elongated support element 56 is configured to provide the surface area required for contact with the user's rear torso to work in conjunction with the surface area of ​​the rear edge 26 of the front member to maintain the position of the torso device on the user as the user moves (e.g., from a sitting to a standing position), walks, or stands. Furthermore, the elongated element and its increased contact area upward on the user's torso serve to prevent the front member from tilting downward and again maintain the desired vertical orientation of the front member relative to the user's torso. In one example, the elongated element 56 includes a vertically oriented front edge 58 (best shown in Figures 1 and 2) connected to the front edge 48 of the rear member, thereby providing a uniform vertical surface along the rear member 20, enabling the rear member and the elongated element to function in the manner described above. In alternative embodiments, it may be desirable for the elongated element 56 to be configured with a front edge 58 positioned inward or outward relative to the remainder of the front edge 48 of the rear member, thereby adjusting the degree of functionality provided. In one example, the total vertical height of the rear member 20 including the elongated support element 56 (measured between the bottom surface 60 of the rear member and the top surface 62 of the elongated support element 56) is greater than about 6 inches, about 7 to 14 inches, about 8 to 13 inches, and in a preferred embodiment about 9 inches. It should be understood that the exact height may vary with the example dimensions provided, depending on the specific thickness of the front and / or rear members and / or on the materials used to form the torso device, and all such dimensional variations are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable that the combined height of the rear member and the elongated support element (as measured above) is at least 1 to 1 / 2 times (and may be at least 2 times) the thickness of the front member. In other embodiments, the rear member and the elongated support element may have a combined height of 12 inches or more (as measured above) to provide the aforementioned desired level of improved functionality.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in one example, the elongated element 56 has a width measured between its front edge 58 and its vertically oriented rear edge 64 (which is connected to the rear member 20) (measured between the front edge 48 of the rear member and the rear edge 66 of the rear member). In one example, the rear member side element 50 has the same width as the rear member 20. In one example, the elongated element 56 has a width of at least 1 / 2 inch, about 3 / 4 to 4 inches, about 1 to 3 inches, and in a preferred embodiment about 2 inches. It should be understood that the exact width may differ from the example dimensions provided, depending on factors such as the size and configuration of other elements or features and / or specific construction materials, and all such dimensional variations are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0046] As disclosed herein, the torso device can be made of various materials that provide a balance of surface area, friction interface, stiffness, compressive force, and / or comfort to the user when worn, and / or provide the necessary functionality to accommodate the user's tasks and / or activities. In one example, it is desirable for the torso device to be formed of an elastic material capable of elastic deformation, such as foam, sponge, etc. Furthermore, a material is needed to provide a relatively high friction interface to the user's torso when deformed under compressive force, thereby facilitating (along with the characteristics of surface area and compressive force) holding the torso device in the desired position during use. In one example, the torso device is formed of a foam material with properties that provide a balanced level of friction interface, stiffness, and comfort to the user during use. The type and / or density of the foam used can and will vary depending on the specific construction of the torso device. For example, when the torso device is formed of a single type of foam, the selected foam material must represent a compromise between providing a certain level of friction interface and stiffness, while also providing a certain level of comfort to the user. In cases where the torso is formed from a single type of foam, suitable foams include those with a hardness rating of 30 / 36 ILD and a density rating of 2.0. However, it should be understood that for this single-type foam structure, the torso can be made from any other foam, such as closed-cell foam. Although the torso has been described as being formed from certain types of elastic materials, it should be understood that the torso as disclosed herein can include an inflatable structure in which part or all of the structure is filled with air and configured to provide the aforementioned surface area, compressive or extrusive force, and stiffness.

[0047] In one example, the torso device may be constructed to include two or more different types of foam. Referring to Figure 5, the torso device 10 is formed using at least two different types of foam materials. The torso device 10 includes a first foam material 70 extending from the bottom surface of the front member 12 and the rear member 20 to a second foam material 72, and the second foam material 72 extending from the first foam material 70 to the top surface 30 of the first member. In one example, the density of the first foam material 70 is different from the density of the second foam material 72. In a preferred embodiment, the density of the first foam material 70 is greater than the density of the second foam material 72, thereby providing the desired greater degree of stiffness, rigidity, and friction interface. The second foam 72 forming the top surface 30 provides the desired degree of softness and comfort to accommodate certain user tasks and / or activities. Suitable foams for forming the first foam material 70 have a Shore A hardness of about 30 to 100 and a density of about 10 to 30 kg / m³. In a preferred example, the first foam material 70 has a Shore A hardness of about 80 and a density of about 20 kg / m³. The foam suitable for forming the second foam material 72 has a Shore A hardness of about 15 to 50 and a density of about 5 to 25 kg / m³. In a preferred example, the second foam material has a Shore A hardness of about 35 and a density of about 18 kg / m³.

[0048] In one example, a first foam material 70 forms 50% or more of the thickness of the front and rear components (excluding elongated elements), and a second foam material 72 forms 50% or less of the thickness (excluding elongated elements). In one example, the first foam material forms about 55% to 95% of the total thickness, about 65% to 90% of the total thickness, and in a preferred embodiment about 80% of the total thickness, while the second foam material forms the remaining thickness (excluding elongated elements). Generally, it is desirable for the torso device to contain a larger amount of high-density foam material to provide greater stiffness and rigidity, while also providing a friction interface, all of which help ensure that the device maintains the desired positioning relative to the user during use. It should be understood that the exact amount or proportion of the first and second foam materials 70 and 72 used to form the torso device as disclosed herein will vary depending on the specific different properties of the two different foam materials used, and such differences are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.

[0049] In an example as described above, where the torso device is formed from two different foam materials 70 and 72, the elongated element 56 may be formed from one of the two different foam materials 70 and 72, or from a third foam material having a different density than the first and second foam materials. For example, the elongated element 56 may be formed from a foam material with a density greater than that of the first foam material 70, or from a foam material with a density between that of the first and second foam materials, or from a foam material with a density less than that of the second foam material 72. In one example, the first and second foam materials have their respective specific density characteristics as described above, and the elongated support material 56 is formed from the second foam material 72 with a relatively low density to provide better comfort and conformability for the user. Alternatively, the elongated support element 56 may be formed from a third foam material with a density greater than that of the second foam material and less than that of the first foam material, thereby providing a moderate degree of rigidity to still provide improved lumbar support while also providing a degree of softness and comfort.

[0050] While specific examples of torso devices made of two or more different foam materials have been disclosed, it should be understood that the torso devices disclosed herein may be formed from foams of different types than those disclosed herein and / or may be made from different types of foam materials in different proportions than those disclosed herein. For example, the torso device may have an inflatable structure as described above to achieve the same or similar purposes and / or functions, and all such specific embodiments of torso devices thus formed and constructed are intended to fall within the scope of the torso devices disclosed herein. The different foam materials used to form torso devices as disclosed herein may be formed and combined by conventional practices, such as by molding and gluing assembly processes.

[0051] Figure 8 shows an example torso device 10 disclosed herein, which includes a selective inner cover 80 disposed on at least a portion of the torso device. In one example, the inner cover 80 is formed of a moisture-resistant or moisture-proof material to protect the underlying foam material. Suitable materials that can be used to form the inner cover 80 include plastics and other types of polymer film materials that have moisture-barrier or moisture-proof properties and can be transparent or opaque. In one example, the inner cover 80 is configured to be mounted on the front member 12, and in a preferred embodiment, the inner cover is mounted on or around the entire front member 12. In one example, the inner cover 80 is a removable element provided in the form of a sleeve having an open end 82 and a closed end 84, wherein the open end 82 is configured to be mounted around the front edge open end 28 of the front member (as shown in Figure 1), and the closed end 84 is configured to be mounted around the closed end 24 of the front member (as shown in Figure 1).

[0052] The inner cover 80 includes a zipper connection 86 that extends a portion of the length of the bottom of the inner cover 80 from the open end 82 of the inner cover. The zipper connection 86 is opened into two zipper portions before the inner cover is installed over the front member, allowing the end 28 of the front member and a larger portion of the front member 12 (e.g., near the midpoint 16) to fit into the inner cover 80. Once the inner cover 80 is installed on the front member, with the open end 82 positioned around the closed end 28 of the front member, the two zipper portions engage and pull together so that the inner cover 80 surrounds and protects the front member 12 of the torso device. Configured in this way, the inner cover is removable for cleaning or replacement as needed. In one example, the inner cover 80 is manufactured by a conventional process, such as molding. Although a particular configuration of the inner cover has been described and disclosed, it should be understood that the inner cover can be configured differently for the same or similar purpose of protecting the underlying torso device foam material from moisture, and all these different inner cover constructions are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, although an inner cover has been disclosed that functions to protect the front member 12 of the torso device from moisture, it should be understood that the use of the inner cover or additional inner cover may be configured or manufactured to also provide moisture protection for the rear member 20, and this is intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 9 shows an example torso device 10 disclosed herein, which includes an outer cover 90 disposed thereon. In one example, the outer cover 90 may be formed of any material suitable for providing an outer surface for the torso device to provide a desired friction interface for the surface area of ​​the torso device that comes into contact with the user's torso during use. Suitable materials that can be used to form the outer cover 90 include fabric materials, cloth materials, plastic materials, polymeric materials, and combinations thereof. In one example, the outer cover 90 is formed of a fabric material. In one example, the outer cover 90 is configured to be mounted on a torso member, and in a preferred embodiment, to be mounted on the entire torso device, i.e., the front member 12 and the rear member 20 (e.g., as shown in Figure 1). In such a preferred embodiment, the outer cover serves not only to form an outer surface for the torso device but also to provide attachment / fastening points and mechanisms, as better described below. In one example, the cover 90 is configured to have a top portion that is customized to fit the top surface and front and rear edges of both the front and rear members containing the elongated support element, and the cover 90 has a bottom surface that is configured to be mounted on the bottom surfaces of the front and rear members.

[0054] A zippered connection 92 is provided extending along the edge of the front member (at the intersection of the front edge 14 and the bottom surface 32 in FIG. 1) and the edge of the rear member (at the intersection of the rear edge 66 and the bottom surface 60 in FIG. 4), and is used to connect the top and bottom together. The cover 90 includes a first closed end 94 and a second closed end 96, wherein the first closed end 94 is configured to close the front edge end 24 of the front member (e.g., shown in FIG. 1), and the second closed end 96 is configured to close the side element 50 of the rear member (e.g., shown in FIG. 1). The zippered connection 92 extends between the first and second closed ends 94 and 96 and is opened into two zippered portions before the cover is mounted on the remainder of the front and rear members, thereby encapsulating the torso device therein. In one example, the cover 90 is manufactured by conventional processes depending on the type of material used; for example, when formed from a fabric material, the cover is manufactured by a sewing process. Although a particular construction of the cover has been described and shown, it should be understood that the cover may be configured differently for the same or similar purposes as described above, and all such different cover configurations are intended to be included in this invention.

[0055] Figures 9 through 11 show the torso device 10 disclosed herein, with an outer cover 90 installed. The outer cover 90 is configured to include a first attachment element 98 for incorporating additional mechanisms, such as those provided by the surface area and compressive force of the torso device, to secure the torso device 10 to the user's waist, further facilitating use of the torso device in the manner described above. The first attachment element 98 is connected to a side edge surface 100 of the outer cover 90 disposed above a side element 50 of the rear member (e.g., shown in Figure 1). In one example, the first attachment element 99 is provided in the form of a male snap-fit ​​member 102, one end of which is attached by a fabric loop 104, wherein the fabric loop is attached to the outer cover 90 at the opposite end. In one example, the fabric loop 104 is sewn onto the outer cover. The outer cover 90 is configured to include an attachment point 106 extending along a portion of the length of the front edge of the front member and positioned at a distance from the front edge end 24 (e.g., shown in Figure 1). The second attachment element 108 is provided in the form of a female snap fastener 110, one end of which is attached via a fabric loop 112, wherein the fabric loop includes a section of fabric strip 114 attached thereto. In one example, the fabric strip 114 is configured to have a desired length to be attached to attachment point 106, thereby providing further secure attachment of the torso device 10 around the user's torso through the engagement of the male snap fastener 102 and the female snap fastener 110. In one example, attachment point 106 comprises Velcro material and is configured to form a releasable attachment with the Velcro material of the fabric strip 114.

[0056] In this configuration, the torso device can be mounted to a user by first pushing the inwardly biased front edge 24 of the front member away from the rear member side element 50, allowing them to insert their torso or waist into the opening 46 or into the cavity between the front member 12 and the rear member 20. Once the user's waist is in the opening 46, the torso device elastically returns to its previously described biased position towards the user, for example, applying a compressive force sufficient to keep the front member of the torso device perpendicular to the user's torso while walking or standing. Optionally, the torso device can be further secured to the user by connecting the male fastener 102 and the female fastener 110 together. If the attachment point position has not yet been established, the male fastener 102 and the female fastener 110 can be connected before attaching the fabric strip 114 to the attachment point 106, in which case the user then attaches the fabric strip 114 to the attachment point 106, where the desired secure fit is achieved. Alternatively, if the user has previously worn the torso device, the fabric strap 114 may already be attached to the attachment point 106 at a location where a desired secure fit exists. In this case, the user simply needs to connect the male fastener 102 and the female fastener 110 together to further secure the torso device 10. Therefore, a feature of the torso device disclosed herein is its ability to further secure the torso device around the user to further ensure that the position of the torso device does not shift during user movement (e.g., from a sitting position to a standing position, or walking, or standing during use). While specific types of connecting members and their attachment to the cover have been disclosed, it should be understood that other attachment mechanisms for enabling the user to wear the torso device and forming an optional further securing attachment around the user's waist are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0057] Figure 9 illustrates the use of the selective attachment element 116 with the torso device cover 90. In one example, the selective attachment element 116 can be configured as needed to enhance or increase the functionality of the torso device 10 for the user. In one example, the attachment element 116 can be configured as a bag or pocket, etc., for assembling an object therein. In one example, the attachment element 116 can be attached along a portion of the front edge 14 of the front member (e.g., as shown in Figure 1) at a location easily accessible to the user. In one example, the attachment element 116 is a bag formed of, for example, the material used to form the cover 90. The attachment element 116 can be attached to the cover by conventional methods (e.g., by stitching, buttoning, Velcro, etc.) to provide a permanent or releasable connection to the cover. Although the exemplary optional attachment element 116 has been specifically described and shown as having a particular configuration, it should be understood that attachment elements capable of performing the same or similar functions may be configured differently, and all these different configurations of attachment elements used with the cover are intended to fall within the scope of the torso device disclosed herein.

[0058] Figure 12 shows the torso device 10 disclosed herein, which includes an outer cover 90 and further includes a selective pair of straps 120 attached thereto. In one example, the straps 120 may be formed of a suitable material that can be placed or fitted on the user's shoulder when using the torso device 10, thereby providing an additional degree of vertical support to the torso device. Suitable materials that can be used to form the straps 120 include cloth, woven fabric, leather, plastic, polymeric materials, etc. In one example, the straps 120 may be formed of cloth or woven fabric, such as fabric or cloth strips. In one example, each strap 120 extends along the rear edge 66 of the rear member 20 from the attachment point above the top of the elongated element 56 and along the front edge of the front member 12 to the attachment point 122. In one example, attachment point 122 can be configured to permanently attach the strap 120 to the cover 90, for example, by stitching, or to releasably attach the strap 120 to the cover 90, for example, by a button connection, Velcro connection, etc. In one example, each strap 120 may include a front portion 124 extending a length from the front member 12 and a rear portion 126 extending a length from the rear member 20. Attachment elements 128, in the form of buckles, male buckle connectors, and female buckle connectors, may be attached to one or both ends of the front and rear portions 124 and 126 of the strap to form a releasable attachment between the front and rear portions 124 and 126 of the strap and / or to adjust the length of the strap 120 to provide an optional fit when worn by the user. Configured in this way, the strap 120 provides the required degree of vertical support to the torso device when worn by the user. If desired, the strip 120 can be configured to have a covering (not shown) placed on it, for example, on a portion of the strip in front of a user, to provide a degree of privacy to the user, etc. While a particular configuration of the strip 120 has been described and shown, it should be understood that different configurations of the strip can be developed for the same or similar purposes, and all these different strip configurations are intended to be included within the scope of the torso apparatus disclosed herein.

[0059] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the use of the torso device 10 by a user. Specifically, Figure 13 shows the use of the torso device 10 by a user while walking, and demonstrates how the combination of surface area contact (provided by the front member 12, rear member 20, and elongated element 56) and the compressive force exerted by the torso device (by the front member 12 and rear member 20) on the user's torso operates to maintain the torso device 10 in the desired position on the user, wherein the front member 12 is substantially perpendicular to the user's torso or parallel to the floor 130 on which the user is walking. Figure 14 illustrates the use of the torso device 10 by a user while standing, and demonstrates how the combination of surface area contact (provided by the front member 12, rear member 20, and elongated element 56) and the compressive force exerted by the torso device (by the front member 12 and rear member 20) on the user's torso operates to maintain the torso device 10 in the desired position on the user, wherein the front member 12 is substantially perpendicular to the user's torso or parallel to the floor 130 on which the user is standing operates. In this example, the torso device 10 is used to support the laptop computer 132 on the top surface 30 of the front member.

[0060] Various specific embodiments of the torso device have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These descriptions are intended for illustration and not for limiting the torso device disclosed herein. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications can be made to the described torso device without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0061] 10: Torso apparatus 11: Main Body 12: Front components 14: Leading edge 16: Midpoint 18: First side 20: Rear components 22: Second side 24:End 26: Back edge 28: Open end 30: Top surface 32: Bottom surface 34: Top material layer 36: Bottom material layer 38: Bottom surface 40: Top surface 42: Lip element 46: Opening 48: Leading edge 50: Side components 52:End 53: Top surface 54: Bottom surface 56: Slender components 58: Leading edge 60: Bottom surface 62: Top surface 64: Vertical orientation rear edge 66: Back edge 70: First foam material 72: Second foam material 80: Inner cover 82: Open end 86: Zipper connection 90: Outer cover 92: Zipper connection 94: First closed end 96: Second closed end 98: First Attachment Component 100: Side edge surface 102: Male fastener component 104: Fabric loop 106: Attachment Point 108: Second Attachment Element 110: Female fastener component 112: Fabric ring 114: Fabric belt 116: Attachment Components 120: Strip-shaped object 122: Attachment Point 124: Front part of the strip 126: Rear part of the strip 128: Attachment Components 130: Floor 132: Laptop

Claims

1. A torso device comprising a body having a central opening between a front member and a rear member, the rear member being integral with and opposite to the front member, wherein the front member includes a closed end biased inwardly toward the rear member in a relaxed state, wherein the central opening is configured to accommodate a user's torso by moving the closed end from the relaxed state away from the rear member under the action of a force to an activated state, allowing the user to enter the central opening, wherein the torso device is configured to accommodate the user when placed in the central opening. A compressive force is applied to the torso, wherein the front and rear members of the main body have multiple surface areas that contact a plurality of adjacent portions of the user's torso when placed in the central opening, and wherein the combination of surface area contact and compressive force acts to maintain a position of the torso device relative to the user's torso when the user moves from a sitting position to a standing position or when the user walks, wherein the position is maintained without any additional support from the user's hands or arms, and wherein when in the position, the front member of the main body extends substantially perpendicular to the user's torso and / or substantially parallel to a floor where the user is standing or walking; wherein the front and rear members of the main body are formed of a first elastic material and a second elastic material, respectively, wherein the first elastic material has a density of about 10 to 30 kg / m³ and a Shore A hardness of about 30 to 100, thereby providing a greater degree of hardness and stiffness than the second elastic material, and the second elastic material has a density of about 5 to 25 kg / m³ and a Shore A hardness of about 15 to 50.

2. The torso device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear part of the main body includes an elongated element extending upward therefrom by a distance, wherein the elongated element increases the surface area in contact with the back of the user's torso and operates to resist downward movement of the front part of the main body of the torso device relative to a human torso within the central opening.

3. The torso device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front part of the main body comprises a majority of the first elastic material and a small amount of the second elastic material.

4. The torso device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first elastic material extends upward from a bottom surface of the front body member, comprising a majority of a thickness of the front body member, the thickness of the front body member being between the bottom surface and a top surface of the front body member.

5. The torso device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body further includes a side element extending outward from the side of the rear member of the body that is not attached to the front member of the body, wherein the side element extends along an outer surface of the front member of the body when in the relaxed state.

6. A torso device comprising: a front member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side element, and a rear edge, wherein the front member includes a first elastic material and a second elastic material, the first elastic material extending from the bottom surface of the front member to an interior of the front member, and the second elastic material extending from the interior of the front member to the top surface of the front member, wherein the first elastic material has a density of about 10 to 30 kg / m³ and a Shore A hardness of about 30 to 100, thereby providing a greater degree of stiffness and rigidity compared to the second elastic material, and the second elastic material has a density of about 5 to 25 kg / m³ and a Shore A hardness of about 15 to 50; and a rear member integral with the front member and extending from the front member along the side element, wherein the rear member includes a front edge extending opposite the rear edge of the front member; A central opening is defined between the rear edge of the front member, the side element of the front member, and the front edge of the rear member. The rear edge of the front member and the front edge of the rear member each have a surface area configured to contact an adjacent portion of a user's torso disposed in the central opening. The front member includes an end portion that is separated from the rear member and, when in a relaxed state, is positioned in the central opening adjacent to the rear member. The rear member includes a side element that extends outwardly along an outer surface of the end portion of the front member. When the user's torso is disposed in the central opening, the surface areas of the front and rear members of the torso assembly contact the user's torso and apply a compressive force to the user's torso. They work together to maintain the torso assembly in a position on the user such that, when the user is standing, the top surface of the front member remains substantially perpendicular to the user's torso or substantially parallel to the floor on which the user is standing.

7. The torso device as described in claim 6, wherein the compressive force is greater than about 0.2 ft·lb.

8. The torso device as described in claim 6, wherein the compressive force is greater than about 0.4 ft·lb.

9. The torso device as claimed in claim 6 further includes an elongated element connected to and extending upward therefrom the rear member by a distance, wherein the elongated element increases the surface area in contact with the back of the user's torso and increases the vertical stiffness of the torso device to resist downward movement of the top surface of the front member relative to the user's torso.

10. The torso device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elongated element has a height measured from a bottom surface of the rear member to a top surface of the elongated element, the height being at least 1.5 times the thickness of the front member as measured between the top surface of the front member and the bottom surface of the front member.

11. The torso device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front member comprises a majority of the first elastic material relative to the second elastic material.

12. The torso device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rear member has the same structure as the front member comprising the first elastic material and the second elastic material.

13. The torso device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first elastic material comprises at least 60 percent of the second elastic material.

14. The torso device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front member has a thickness that varies from a front edge to a rear edge.

15. The torso device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front member includes a lip element that projects upward from the top surface by a distance and is positioned adjacent to one or both of a front edge or a rear edge of the front member.

16. A torso device configured to be worn around a user's waist, comprising a body having a front member having a top surface, a rear member opposite the front member, a first side element extending between the front member and the rear member and integral with both the front member and the rear member, and a second side element extending from the rear member relative to the first side element, wherein the front member includes an end portion separate from the rear member and positioned adjacent to the rear member in a relaxed state, wherein... By removing the end of the front member from the rear member, the front member and the rear member are placed in an excited state. An opening is defined between the front member and the rear member for accommodating a user's torso. The front member and the rear member have multiple adjacent portions that contact the user's torso in the opening and apply a compressive force to the user's torso, wherein the compressive force is greater than about 0.2 ft·lb. The compressive force and the surface area regions of the front member and the rear member work together to maintain the torso device on the user during transition from a sitting to a standing position. The top surface of the front member remains substantially perpendicular to the user's torso or substantially parallel to the floor on which the user is standing. The front member is formed of a first elastic material and a second elastic material, wherein the first elastic material has a density of about 10 to 30. The first elastic material has a density of about kg / m3 and a Shore A hardness of about 30 to 100, thereby providing a greater degree of hardness and stiffness compared to the second elastic material, and the second elastic material has a density of about 5 to 25 kg / m3 and a Shore A hardness of about 15 to 50, and wherein the front member comprises the first elastic material in a larger quantity than the second elastic material.

17. The torso device as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the relaxed state, the second side element extends integrally along an outer surface of the end of the front member.

18. The torso device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rear member further includes an elongated element extending upward therefrom by a distance, wherein the elongated element increases the surface area in contact with the back of the user's torso and increases the vertical stiffness of the torso device to resist downward movement of the top surface of the front member relative to the user's torso.

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