Extendable postural support cushion
An extendable cushion assembly includes a cushion that is movable between an extended state and a retracted state, and a base upon which the cushion is removably coupled. The base is movable between an extended state and a retracted state. When the cushion is coupled to the base and when the base adopts the extended state or the retracted state the cushion is configured to adopt the extended or the retracted state respectively.
1 . An extendable cushion assembly for a seated user support apparatus, comprising:
a cushion that is movable between an extended state and a retracted state;
a base upon which the cushion is removably coupled, the base comprising a first part and a second part that are slidable longitudinally with respect to one another between the extended state and the retracted state,
wherein the first part comprises a forward section and two opposing side walls, and
wherein the second part comprises a bottom part and two opposing side walls;
wherein the opposing side walls of the first part each comprise a channel and the opposing side walls of the second part each comprise a respective male member which is configured to slide within the respective channels; and
a coupling portion removably coupled to the base and seated, at least in part, on top of the bottom part of the second part;
a posterior support and a thigh support removably coupled between the cushion and the base,
wherein the posterior support is coupled to a top surface of the coupling portion, and
wherein the thigh support is coupled to a top surface of the forward section of the first part;
wherein an upper surface of the coupling portion lies substantially flush with an upper surface of the forward section of the first part so as to define a substantially flush mounting surface across the first part and the second part of the base;
wherein the posterior support and the thigh support are shaped and dimensioned to substantially conform, at least in part, to one or more body parts of a user which they are configured to support;
wherein each of the posterior support and the thigh support comprises releasable coupling means on a lower side for attachment to the base or the coupling portion and on an upper side for attachment to the cushion; and
wherein, when the cushion is coupled to the base and the base adopts the extended state or the retracted state, the cushion, the posterior support and the thigh support are configured to adopt corresponding extended or retracted positions, such that displacement of the first part relative to the second part varies a spacing between the posterior support and the thigh support in accordance with the user's dimensions.
2 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises a plurality of transverse slits.
3 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cushion comprises a plurality of rows of the transverse slits.
4 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of rows do not extend up to either edge of the cushion and wherein one more of the plurality of rows do extend up to the edges of the cushion on both sides, wherein the slits which extend to the edges on either side define open ended slits.
5 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises an attachment means for coupling the cushion to the base.
6 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 wherein the base comprises an attachment means for coupling the cushion to the base.
7 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cushion and base comprise respective co-operable attachment means for coupling the cushion to the base.
8 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the posterior support comprises first and second portions configured to support respective sides of a user's posterior, each said portion having an upstanding edge and an inner depression extending downwardly and away from the upstanding edge.
9 . A seated user support apparatus comprising at least one extendable cushion assembly as recited in claim 1 .
10 . The seated user support apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the support apparatus comprises a wheelchair.
11 . The seated user support apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the wheelchair comprises first and second extendable cushion assemblies, wherein the first cushion assembly comprises a base cushion of the wheelchair and the second cushion assembly comprises a back cushion of the wheelchair.
12 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thigh support comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical portion having one or more concave depressions configured to receive a user's thighs.
13 . The extendable cushion assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bracing portion coupled to a top surface of the coupling portion between the posterior support and the thigh support.