Supporting device for a person's back and head area

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting device for the back and head of a human being. Said device comprises a partial area of a back supporting section at the level of the shoulder blade, a central supporting surface in the region of a vertebral column and open areas which are arranged on the both sides of the central supporting surface in such a way that the shoulder blade regions can be lowered beyond the central supporting area. The invention can be used for furniture for the household or workplace.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 10 / 520 051, filed Dec. 29, 2004, hereby incorporated herein by reference, which was the national stage of International Application No. PCT / EP2003 / 006244, filed Jun. 13, 2003, which International Application was not published in English.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a supporting device for a person's back and head area, with a back support section and with a head support section, and to a home or workplace furniture item or leisure item with such a supporting device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Such supporting devices are generally known in the form of couches or the like. Such supporting devices can be padded or unpadded. Individuals can take up position on supporting devices of this kind. If a person takes up a position lying on his back on such a supporting device, both the back area and the head area are supported. The back area extends from...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]According to the invention, therefore, a person lying on his back on the supporting device can stretch his chest muscles in a simple manner by extending his arms out to the sides and either leaves them, in the outwardly extended position, under their inherent weight or actively moves the arms and thus also the shoulders downward, i.e. toward the rear side of the back support section. Since, at shoulder blade level, the support surface provides only a central, preferably narrow and at least partial support in the spinal column area and since the shoulder blade areas can be moved at least substantially freely downward, i.e. past the support surface toward the rear side, it is possible to stretch the chest muscles. The person preferably lies on the supporting device in a position which is in an angle range of 45° to 90° to the vertical. In the supporting position, an at least approximately horizontal alignment of back section and head support section is particularly preferred. In this way, the inherent weight of the arm and shoulder areas already effects a desired stretching of the chest muscles, without the person necessarily having to actively exert force in order to achieve the aim of stretching the chest muscles. The supporting device thus fulfills a double function in that the provision of the recumbent position ensures a relaxed posture and, in addition, the simple lateral extension and subsequent lowering at least of the upper arms approximately at right angles to the thoracic cage ensures stretching of the chest muscles. If the forearms too, in straight continuation of the upper arms, are extended laterally outward approximately at right angles to the thoracic cage area, the lever effect caused by the inherent weight of the arms is further increased, so that the stretching effect of the chest muscles is also improved. The open areas present on both sides of the central support surface can each be completely open to the outside within the entire support surface formed by the back support section and the head support section. Alternatively, they can also be closed in the lateral outer edge areas if the transverse extent of the open areas is so great that, with the upper arms extended at right angles, at least the elbow areas can move downward through the open areas. However, the open areas are preferably also designed open laterally outward in order to permit the desired mobility of the shoulders and arms even when the total width of the supporting surface is small. From the coccyx or hip area to just below the shoulder blade areas, the back support section is advantageously made at least so wide that it corresponds to the width of a human thoracic cage, so as to permit secure supporting of the person's back area at least to just under the shoulder areas. The head support section too is preferably configured so that it ensures a secure supporting of the head.

Problems solved by technology

A person's posture is often poor in orthopedic terms.

In particular, poor posture at the workplace or in other environments may lead to shortening of the chest muscles, which in turn can lead to a rounded back posture, in particular to a hunched back.

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