US2834032A - Body support - Google Patents

Description

y 13, 1958 H. M. SCOTT 2,834,032

BODY SUPPORT Filed July 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR HENRY M. 8007' T ATTORNEY y 13, 1958 H. M. S COTT 2,834,032

BODY SUPPORT Filed y I956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H a. a

INVENTOR HENRY M. S0077 ATTORNEY United States BODY SUPPORT Application .iuiy 10, 1956, Serial No. 596,934

8 Claims. (Ci. -327) This invehtion relates to improvements in body supports and more particularly to a light weight body support which may be easily adjusted by the user to support portions of the body of the user throughout a wide range of different positions.

In many instances invalids and convalescents while not completely bedridden are immobilized to the degree that they can only leave their beds at infrequent instances and then in some cases only when assisted by an attendant. Such individuals, however, may be permitted to rest with portions of their bodies positioned differently from body portion positions established when the individuals are lying in prone positions. The provision of an arrangement to permit an invalid or convalescent who is semi-immobilized to change the position of various portions of his body while resting not only increases his comfort but in some cases may be necessary for his survival or complete recovery.

Conventional hospital beds are constructed in such a manner as to permit adjustment to different angular positions of the back supporting portion and the thigh and leg supporting portions of the mattress. These adjustments cannot be made by a patient when occupying the bed, and the patient must either leave the bed or obtain the assistance of an attendant when he desires a change in the positions of the supporting portions of the mattress. Recently, some hospital beds have been equipped with power driven devices operable by the patient when occupying the bed for adjusting the back, thigh and leg supporting portions of the mattress. This type of hospital bed eliminates the necessity of an attendant when the patient wishes to changes his resting position but does not constitute a practical body support for semi-immobilized invalids or convalescents who are generally not hospitalized. This is so since power adjustable hospital beds, as well as conventional hospital beds, are relatively expensive and for this reason their use is ordinarily not practical except in a hopsital.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel adjustable body support, of light weight relatively inexpensive construction, which may be easily adjusted by the individual whose body is being supported to position his back, thighs and legs in any one of a plurality of different positions.

In general, the present invention provides an adjustable body support comprising articulated back, seat, thigh and leg supporting portions with means operable under control of the individual whose body is being supported to adjust the various body supporting portions to any relative position throughout a wide range of positions and to lock the body supporting portions in their adjusted position. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the adjustable body support is designed to rest upon a supporting surface, such as the surface of a bed, while in another embodiment the adjustable body support is provided with supporting means so that it may be used independently of a bed such as upon the ground or upon the floor of a building or sundeck. Although the ad-.

atentO ice justable body support provided by the present inven tion has particular use for invalids or convalescents who are semi-immobilized it will be appreciated that the present invention has utility in the construction of body supports for general use, such as lawn and beach chairs.

Other objects and features of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments of the invention. It is to be expressly understood however that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for the latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable body support constructed in accordance with one embodiment 'of the present invention, the adjustable body support being shown positioned on abed;

Figure 2 is'a view in side elevation of the adjustable body support shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the adjustable body support shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating one form of adjusting and locking device provided by the present invention;

Figure 5 is a View in side elevation of an adjustable body support constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a portion of the adjustable body support shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an adjustable body support constructed in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a detail of the adjustable body support shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view partially in phantom illustrating another form of adjusting and locking device provided by the present invention, and

Figure 10 is a partially exploded view of the adjusting and locking device shown in Figure 9.

With reference more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, an adjustable body support constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown therein including a back rest portion 10, a seat or base portion 11 and a thigh and leg rest portion 12, the latter portion including a thigh rest portion 13 and a leg rest portion 14. The seat or base portion 12 includes an open rectangular frame 15, preferably formed of light weight tubular material, upon which is attached a cover 16 extending substantially across the open area defined by the rectangular frame. The cover 16 may be attached to the sides of the rectangular frame by any, suitable means and may be formed of a single piece of fabric, such as canvas or plastic material, or may comprise interwoven webs of such material. portion 11 comprises an elongated U-shapedframe 17 including a closed end 18 and elongated parallel sides, 19 and 20 having terminating ends 21 and 22, respectively. The frame 17 is preferably constructed of light weight tubular material of the type used in forming the seat frame 15 and supports a cover 23 attached to the end and sides of the frame and extending substantially across the area defined by the frame with an unsupported transverse edge 24 of the cover being spaced from the terminating ends 21 and 22 of the sides. The cover 23 may be constructed of canvas or plastic fabric material in a manner similar to the seat cover 16. The free ends 21 and 22 of the sides of the frame 17 are pivotally joined to the seat frame 15 contiguous to one of its ends to mount the back portion for-swinging movement relative to the seat pot- The back rest tion. The frame 17 may be shaped with its ends 22 and 23 transversely spaced sufiiciently to lie outside respective sides of the seat frame 15, as shown in the drawings. The

pivotal connections between the ends 21 and 22 andthe: seat frame may be formed by pins- 25- passing through suitable openings formed adjacent the terminatingsends of the sides 19 and 20 and in the seatframe, the: pinsmay be formed with threaded ends adapted to cooperate with nuts to provide a permanent connectionor rivets may be leg portion 14. The leg frame 28 includes a closedend 29 and parallel sides 3%) and 31 terminating infree' ends 32 and 33, respectively. The free ends 32 and 33 are pivotally connected, by means ofpivot members 34, to ends 35 and 36 of the elongated members 26 and 27 to mount the thigh portion and the leg portion for relative swinging movement, while opposite ends 37 and 38 of the elongated members 26 and 27, respectively, are pivotally connected, by means of pivot members 35 to thesides of the seat frame 15, incontiguous relation with its end opposite the end to which the back frame 17 is pivotally attached, to mount the thigh portion for swinging movement relative to the seat portion. It will be apparent that leg frame 28 of leg rest portion 1 4 acts as a supporting member for thigh rest portion 13-. The leg frame 28 supports a fabric covering 46 substantially completely extending over the area defining by the frame and having an unsupported transverse edge 41 spaced inwardly from the free ends 32 and 33 of the sides and 31 and the elongated members 26 and 27 support a fabric covering 42 having unsupported transverse edges 43 and 44 located inwardly of the terminating ends 34, and 37, 38 of the members, respectively. The fabric coverings and 42 may comprise canvas or plastic material similar to the covering 16 and 23, and the elongated members 26 and 27 and the frame 2 8 may be constructed of light weight tubular material. Preferably, the U- shaped frame 28 of the leg portion 14 is located inside the elongated members 26 and 27, and the elongated members are located outside the seat frame. The open ends of the tubular members forming the frames may be provided with a suitable closure, such as 45 shown in Figure 4.

The seat portion 11 is adapted to lie flat upon a supporting surface, such as upon the surface of a mattress supported by a bed 51 as shown in Figure l, and the present invention provides novel means, operable by an individual While being supported by the body support, for positioning the back rest portion 10 and the thigh and leg rest portion 12 atdifferent angular positions with respect to the seat portion 11. The foregoing means in cludes a back portion supporting member 55 in the form of a substantially U-shaped member which may be constructed of light weight tubular material to include a closed end 56 and parallel sides 57 and 58 terminating in free ends 59 and 60, respectively. The sides 57 and 58 are pivotally joined adjacent their ends 59 and60, by means of pivot members 61, to the sides 19 and 20 of the back portion frame 17 at points thereof equally spaced bers, in the form of bead- type chains 62 and 63 are each connected at one end to the end 56 of the back portion supporting member 55 at points 64 and 65, and are adjustably attachable to the body support in the region of the seat portion 11 by means of attaching or holding devices 66 and 67, respectively. Although the elongated flexible members 62 and 63 are shown as bead-type chains, it is to be expressly understood as will appear more fully below that the elongated flexible members may be provided in The holes 68 and 69 are located adjacent the end 22 of bers 61 above the supporting surface.

the' side in the region of the seat portion 11 so that the attaching devices may be conveniently operated by an individual while utilizing the body support. The hole 63 communicates with an outwardly displaced: slot 70 having a width less than the diameter of the holes 68 and 69. The ball-type chain 63 includes a plurality of balls 71 joined together by connecting members or links 72 of reduced cross-sectional area. The holes 63 and 69 are of a diameter greater than the diameter of the balls 71 andtthe width of the slot 20 is less thanthediameter of the balls 71 so that the chain 63 may be moved through the. openings 68 and. 69 relative to the member 26 or may be locked onto the member 20 by moving one of the connecting links 72 into the slot 76- with adjacent balls. being located internally and externally of the wall forming the slot. With the foregoing arrangement, the angular position of the back rest portion 16 relative to the seat portion 1-1 is a function of the effective length of the elongated flexible members 62 and 63, that is, the length of the elongated flexible members measured between the closed end 56 of the back portion: supporting member 55 and the attaching devices 66 and 67. The angular position of the back rest portion 10 may be adjusted by pulling on the free ends 73 and 74 of the elongated members to attain their desired effective length, and may be locked in the adjusted position by moving into the slot 70 the adjacent connecting link of the chains.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention stop means are associated with the back rest portion 10 for limiting swinging movement of the back rest portion 10 in a direction away from the thigh and leg portion 12 when the seat portion 11 is positioned on a supporting surface and space the ends 59 and 69 of the back portion supporting member 55 above a plane passing through the ends 21 and 22 of the back portion frame 17 and the closed end 56 of the back portion supporting member 55. The stop means comprises an upwardly extending portion 75 formed in the end 56 of the back portion supporting member 55. The length of the sides 57 and 58 of the back portion supporting member 55 is substantially equal to the length of the sides 19 and 20 of the frame 17 measured between the pivot members 61 and. the closed end 18 so that upon downward movement of the back portion the closed end 18 of the back portion contacts the upwardly extending portion 75 and spaces the pivot mem- With this arrangement, as shown more clearly in Figure 2, the axis of the articulated connections between the back portion 19 and the back portion supporting member 55 is displaced above the elongated flexible members 62 and 63 to provide a moment arm to insure relatively easy adjustment of the back rest portion irrespective of its position relative to the seat portion. 1

The angular position of the thigh and leg portion 12 relative to the seat portion 11 is controlled by a pair of elongated flexible members 86 and 81 also shown in the form of ball-type chains. One end of each of the chains and 81 is connected to the end 29 of the leg frame 23 at points 82 and 33, respectively, and the chains are adjustably secured to the body support in the region of the seat portion 11 by means of attaching devices 34 and 85. The attaching devices 84 and 55 maybe constructed in a manner: similar to the attaching devices 6.7 shown in Figure-4. With this arrangement the angular position of the thigh portion 13 and the leg portion 14 is .a function of the effective length of the elongated members 80 and 81, and their effective length of the elongated members may be readily adjusted and then positively maintained by means of the attaching devices 84 and 85 in the manner described above. The elongated members 80 and 81 may be provided with engaging members 86 and 87, respectively. Stop means is also associated with the thigh and leg portion 12 to space the axis of the articulated connections between the ends of the leg frame 28 and the elongated members an and 27 above a pla ie passing through the end 29 of the leg frame 28 and the other ends 37 and 33 of the elongated members when seat portion 11 and the end 2% of the leg sub-portion 1d rests upon a supporting surface. The stop means includes a downwardly depending U-shaped member 38 having relatively short sides pivotally secured to the thigh and leg portion 12 by the pivot members 34 to position the closed end of the member 88 transversely of the thigh and leg portion. As shown in Figure 2, the stop member 88 is adapted to contact the supporting surface and limit downward movement of the members 26 and 27 and thus space the articulated joint between thigh sub-portion 13 and the leg sub-portion 14 above the plane of the elongated members 89 and 81 to insure easy adjustment of the thigh and leg portion 12.

The body support shown in Figure 5 is provided with means for spacing the fabric covering 16 of the seat portion from the supporting surface. A body support constructed according to this embodiment of the invention is adaptable for use on a relatively hard supporting surface, such as a sundeck, or upon the ground. As shown, the seat or base portion 11 includes a frame 90 having a pair of spaced parallel sides 91 and 92 and vertical supports 93, 94 and 95, respectively, joined to the ends of the parallel sides, the vertical supports 93 and 95 being joined by a transverse member 97 and the vertical supports 94 and 96 being joined by a transverse member 98. The articulated ends of the back rest portion 1% and of the elongated members 26 and 27 of the thigh rest portion 13 are joined adjacent opposite ends of the side members 91 and 92 which support a fabric covering 99, while the transverse members 97 and 98 are adapted to contact the supporting surface upon which the body support rests. With this arrangement the fabric covering 99 is spaced from the supporting surface by a distance corresponding to the height of the vertical supporting members 93, 5%, g5 and )6. The stop means may be modified to provide adequate spacing between the supporting surface and the joints of the back rest portion and the back portion supporting member 55 and the thigh and leg portions. This may be accomplished by extending the height of the raised portion 75 of the supporting member 55 and the depth of the U-shaped member 83.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7 different means are provided for adjusting and maintaining the angular position of the back rest portion 19 and of the thigh and leg rest portion 12 relative to the seat portion 11. As shown, a single elongated flexible member 1%, in the form of a belt or web, is attached at one end to the seat portion 11 on one side of the seat portion adjacent its end to which a back rest portion Iii is pivotally attached at point li /1. The belt 1% passes through a supporting device 13-2 attached to the closed end 56 of the back portion supporting member 55 and then through an attaching device 1% secured to the same end of the seat portion but on its other side. The supporting device 102, shown in detail in Figure 8, includes a belt supporting member 1 34 having a portion 1% for slidably supporting the belt spaced from an attaching portion 1% by side portions 187 and The attaching portion 1% is pivotally attached to the side 56 of the back portion supporting member 55 by means of a pin in). The attaching or holding device 1G3 may be of any suitable construction adapted for positively securing a strap or web at different positions along its length. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the attaching device may include a U-shaped body member 11% having a bottom portion 111 and upwardly disposed side walls 112 and 113. The body member 110 is pivotally mounted on the seat frame 15 by means of a pivot bolt 114 passing through the bottom portion 111 and through a portion of the tubular member forming the seat frame, stabilizing blocks 115 and 116 may surround the seat frame 15 in the region of the pivot bolt 14 to strengthen the assemblage. A clamping device 117 having a curved clamping surface 113 provided with serrations 119 and an operating handle is positioned between the sides 112 and 113 of the body member 11! and is pivotally mounted on the body member by means of a transverse pin 121 passing through openings 126 and 127 in the side walls and through a bore 130 in the clamping device. The member 117 ineludes an off-set upper surface 122 carrying a spring 123 positioned to normally cause the member 117 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 121, the ends 124 and 125 of the spring being turned inwardly for entry into openings 126 and 127 provided in the ends of the side walls 112 and 113. As shown in Figure 9,

" any force tending to move the belt relative to the attachserrated surface away from the belt and allow its movesurrace.

- locking the angular position of the thigh rest portion 13 ing device will rotate the clamping device in a counter clockwise direction about the pin 121 and positively secure the belt. When it is desired to release the belt, the handle 12*? is rotated in a clockwise direction to move the meat relative to the attaching device.

It is preferable that the belt supporting device 192 is located at a medial point of the closed end 56 of the back portion supporting member and close to the supporting For this reason the end 56 of the back portion supporting member includes spaced upwardly extending portions 131 and 132 to provide stop means for limiting rotation of the back rest portion.

A similar arrangement is provided for adjusting and and the leg rest portion 14. As shown, a belt 133 is connected at one end on one side of the seat frame 15 adjacent its other end, at point 135. The belt 133 passes through a supporting device 135, constructed in a manner shown in Figure 8 and attached to the end 29 of the leg frame 2 8, and through an attaching device 136 pivotally secured to the other side of the seat frame 15, the attach-1 ing device being constructed in a manner similar to the attaching device 103.

When using the adjustable body support provided shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the seat portion 11 is positioned on a supporting surface, such as the mattress St) in the manner shown in Figure l, with the closed ends 56' of the back portion supporting member 55 and the closed end 29 of leg frame 14 also contacting the supporting surface. The back rest portion 10 may then be set at any desired angular position with respect to the supporting surface by adjusting the effective length of the elongated flexible members 62 and 63 and then by locking the flexible members by means of the attaching devices 66 and 67. The angular position of the thigh rest portion 1.3 and the leg rest portion 14 may be adjusted in a similar manner by controlling the effective length of the elongated flexible members 89 and 81 and by maintaining the de' sired effective length by the attaching devices and 86.

Inasmuch as the articulated connection between the back, rest portion 1% and the back portion supporting member" 14 above the supporting surface permits easy adjustmenti 7. of the thigh and .leg rest portion 12 irrespective of its angular position with respect to the seat portion. The body support shown in Figure may be employed in a similar manner and may be positioned on a supporting surface which would not present a comfortable support if the fabric covering of the seat portion was directly supported thereby, such as upon the ground or upon a hard surface. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7 it is only necessary to operate single elongated members to adjust the back portion and the thigh and leg portion, and the elongated members may be operable from the same side of the body support.

The present invention thus provides a novel body support including articulated back, seat, thigh and leg portions, the back portion having a supporting member and the leg portion acting as the thigh portion supporting member, which device may be easily adjusted throughout a wide range of different positions by an individual when utilizing the body support without requiring the individual to leave the body support and without necessitating assistance. The novel means provided by the present invention by which the individual utilizing the body support may adjust the back supporting portion and the thigh and leg supporting portion is designed for positive, easy operation, even when the supporting portions are in a prone position, by the manipulation of devices located in the region of the seat portion in convenient reach of the hands of the individual for easy manipulation irrespective of the angular position of the adjustable portions of the body support. The provision of a body support of the foregoing character that may be constructed of tubular frames carrying fabric coverings makes it possible to provide a light weight, relatively inexpensive body support of particular usefulness for invalids or convalescents who are semi-immobilized, although it will be appreciated that the principles of the present invention have general utility for all individuals.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described, it is to be expressly understood that various changes and substitutions may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention as well understood by those skilled in the art. Reference therefore will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable body support comprising a base portion adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a back rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a back rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the back rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the back rest portion for swinging movement relative to the back rest portion, the back rest supporting member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, a thigh rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a thigh rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the thigh rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the thigh rest portion for swinging movement relative to the thigh rest portion, the thigh rest support member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, elongated tensional means connected to the back rest supporting member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the back rest portion relative to the base portion, and holding means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and holding the elongated tensional means at desired points along the length of the elongated tensional means to thereby hold the back rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion.

2. An adjustable body support comprising a base portion adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a back rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a back rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the back rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the back rest portion for swinging movement relative to the back rest portion, the back rest supporting member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, a thigh rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a thigh rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the thigh rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the thigh rest portion for swinging movement relative to the thigh rest portion, the thigh rest support member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, elongated flexible means connected to the back rest supporting member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the back rest portion relative to the base portion, and holding means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and holding the elongated flexible means at desired points along the length of the elongated flexible means to thereby hold the back rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion.

3. An adjustable body support comprising a base portion adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a back rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a back rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the back rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the back rest portion for swinging movement relative to the back rest portion, the back rest supporting member having another end constructed andarranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, a thigh rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a thigh rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the thigh rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the thigh rest portion for swinging movement relative to the thigh rest portion, the thigh rest support member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, elongated tensional .means connected to the back rest supporting member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the back rest portion relative to the base portion, holding means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and holding the elongated tensional means at desired points along the length of the elongated tensional means to thereby hold the back rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion, second elongated tensional means connected to the thigh rest member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the thigh rest portion relative to the base portion, and means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and locking the second elongated tensional means at desired points along the length of the second elongated tensional means to thereby hold the thigh rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion.

4. An adjustable body support comprising a base portion adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a back rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, ,a back rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the back rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the back rest portion for swinging movement relative to the back rest portion, the back rest supporting member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, a thigh rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a thigh rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the thigh rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the thigh rest portion for swinging movement relative to the thigh rest portion, the thigh rest support member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, elongated flexible means connected to the back rest supporting member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the back rest portion relative to the base portion, holding means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and holding the elongated flexible means at desired points along the length of the elongated flexible means to thereby hold the back rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion, second elongated flexible means connected to the thigh rest member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the thigh rest portion relative to the base portion, and means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and locking the second elongated flexible means at desired points along the length of the second elongated flexible means to thereby hold the thi h rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion.

5. An adjustable body support comprising a base portion adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a back rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a back rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the back rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the back rest portion for swinging movement relative to the back rest portion, the back rest supporting member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, a thigh rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a thigh rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the thigh rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the thigh rest portion for swinging movement relative to the thigh rest portion, the thigh rest support member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, elongated tensional means connected to the back rest supporting member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the back rest portion relative to the base portion, holding means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and holding the elongated tensional means at desired points along the length of the elongated tensional means to thereby hold the back rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion, and stop means for limiting swinging movement of the back rest portion in a direction away from the thigh rest portion when the body support is placed on the supporting surface, the stop means being constructed and arranged to space the one end of the back rest portion supporting member above a plane passing through the other end of the back rest supporting member and the one end of the back rest portion.

6. An adjustable body support comprising a base portion adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a back rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a back rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the back rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the back rest portion for swinging movement relative to the back rest portion, the back rest supporting member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, a thigh rest portion having one end pivotally joined to the base portion for swinging movement relative to the base portion, a thigh rest portion supporting member having one end pivotally joined to the thigh rest portion in spaced relation to the one end of the thigh rest portion for swinging movement relative'to the thigh rest portion, the thigh rest support member having another end constructed and arranged to contact the supporting surface when the base portion is placed on the supporting surface, elongated tensional means connected to the back rest supporting member in spaced relation to the one end for adjusting the angular position of the back rest portion relative to the base portion, holding means carried by the body support contiguous to the base portion for receiving and holding the elongated tensional means at desired points along the length of the elongated tensional means to thereby hold the back rest portion in adjusted position relative to the base portion, and stop means for limiting swinging movement of the thigh rest portion in a direction away from the back rest portion when the body support is placed on the supporting surface, the stop means being constructed and arranged to space the one end of the thigh rest portion supporting member above a plane passing through the other end of the thigh rest portion supporting member and the one end of the thigh rest portion.

7. The combination of claim 2 in which the holding means is carried by the base portion of the body support.

8. The combination of claim 2 in which the elongated flexible means has one end anchored on the body support contiguous to one side of the base portion, the connection between the back rest supporting member and the elongated flexible means is a sliding connection, and the holding means is carried by the base portion contiguous to the other side of the base portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 947,383 Greaves Jan. 25, 1910 1,658,776 Nixon Feb. 7, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 192,751 Great Britain Feb. 2, 1923

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