AU2008201511B1

AU2008201511B1 - A pair of armpit supports

Info

Publication number: AU2008201511B1
Application number: AU2008201511A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Enahoro Henry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-13
Filing date: 2008-04-03
Publication date: 2009-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-03

Description

22/12 2008 17:05 FAX ±61294111564BatrI j00/01 Baxter IP Z0004/0016 00 o A PAIR OF ARMPIT SUPPORTS o Field of the Invention The present invention relates to assistive technology and, in particular, to a pair of armpit Ci supports and a seating apparatus for providing traction to a users spine.

Background of the Invention Many people suffer from chronic back pain stemming from damage to the spine or a related ci area. Such damage may be caused by degenerative disc disease, spinal disc herniation, 00 o osteoarthritis, scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal stenosis, trauma, cancer, infection, o fractures and/or inflammatory disease. In some cases, the back pain is also accompanied with loss of height due to bending of the back to relieve the pain.

One of the aims of people suffering from chronic back pain is to seek methods of managing the pain so as to restore a person's ability to function in everyday activities and work. Such methods include therapies to reduce pain intensity and/or methods for coping with the pain.

Current therapies and treatments include conservative treatments such as heat therapy, medication, exercise, physical therapy, massage therapy and acupuncture, and surgical methods such as artificial disc replacement spinal fusion, injections, laminectomy and hemilaminectomy. Conservative treatments are met with various degrees of success and surgical treatments are often costly and have associated risks.

Incorrect sitting posture may also cause or exacerbate back pain and/or injury due to the altered load distribution on a person's spine. In the sitting position, a relatively large proportion of the person's upper bodyweight is transferred to the lumbar region of his/her spine. This may interrupt a person's ability to perform everyday activities and work. This is particularly an issue for people who spend extended periods of time sitting, such as office workers, bus drivers and aeroplane passengers.

The usual advice from medical practitioners is that people suffering low back pain should avoid sitting for very long periods and get up from their seats every now and then to go for short walks. It can be difficult for an ambitious worker whose job involves sitting at a computer all day or before a security monitor to take such advice as to get up from their seats every now and then may be frowned upon.

Chairs with backrests shaped to support the lumbar portion of the spine have been proposed to address this problem, including arrangements in which the lumbar portion protrudes 1 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:05 FAX -r&1294111564BatrI j00/01 Baxter IP Z0005/0016 00 o forwardly to accommodate the natural curve of a users spine which makes it more difficult CA for a user to slouch unless the user falls asleep. However, due to differences in people's height and shape, and in particular to the differences in the shape of people's spines, a 0 protrusion that is unsuitable for a user's physical characteristics may have a deleterious effect on the user's sitting posture.

The present invention seeks to provide a seating apparatus which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

o It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference 00 10 does not constitute an admission that the information forms a part of the common general 0 knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, a pair of armpit supports for attachment to a chair is provided; each armpit support comprising a frame adapted for attachment to the chair and an armpit abutment portion attached to the frame and adapted to be located under an armpit of a user, such that the armpit supports support at least a portion of the users upper bodyweight in use, wherein each armpit support further comprises an armpit abutment portion position adjustmrrent means, each of the armpit abutment portion position adjustment means comprising at least a forward-aft translation adjustment means adapted to allow the armpit abutment portion to be selectively translated by a user in a forward-aft direction relative to the frame.

Advantageously, the armpit supports provide traction to a user's spine, particularly the lumbar portion and potentially lessen, relieve or prevent back pain.

Advantageously, if the user falls asleep while using the armpit supports, the armpit supports will maintain the user in an upright position and prevent the user from sleeping in a position that may strain the users back, for example, leaning forward and resting the chest or head on a table or desk thus causing the back to curve in an unhealthy posture.

Preferably, each of the armpit abutment portion position adjustment means comprises at least a height adjustment means.

Preferably, each of the armpit abutment portion position adjustment means comprises at least a lateral translation adjustment means.

2 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:06 FAX t 61294111564 Bxe PljO601 Baxter IP U0006/0016 00 o Preferably, each armpit support further comprises an armpit abutment portion orientation Cl adjustment means.

C) Preferably, each of the armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises at 0 least a first orientation adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment ci 5 portion about a vertical axis.

Preferably, each of the armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises at least a second orientation adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment portion about a lateral axis.

o Preferably, each of the armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises at 00 10 least a third orientation adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment o portion about a forward-aft axis.

Advantageously, the armpit supports and the position and orientation of the armpit abutment portions may be adjusted to better accommodate the physical characteristics the height, width and size) of the user to improve comfort and stability. Furthermore, the level of traction provided to the spine the proportion of the users upper bodyweight supported by the armpits) can be varied accordingly to the users preference, comfort and/or needs by adjusting the height of the armpit abutment portions relative to the chair.

Advantageously, the cantilever arm is an effective means for providing the armpit abutment portions at positions to properly accommodate the user and also for attaching the armpit supports to a chair.

Preferably, each frame comprises a first en region, a second end region and an intermediate region, the armpit abutment portion being provided at the first end region, the second end region being adapted for attachment to the chair and the intermediate region being located between the first and second end regions, the intermediate region curving outwardly and then inwardly such that the intermediate region is spaced from the respective side of the users chest in use.

Preferably, the first end region of each frame takes the form of a cantilever arm.

Advantageously, each armpit support provides an outward curve along the horizontal secton just prior to the armpit pad in order to accommodate the possibility of sideways bulk at the level of the chest.

Preferably, each of the armpit abutment portions comprises a soft pad.

Advantageously, having soft armpit abutment portions improves the comfort of the user in use, and allows the armpit supports to be used for long periods of time.

COMB ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:06 FAX r61294111564BatrP00701 Baxter IP Z0007/0016 00 Preferably, each of the soft pads has a top surface that is concave to cradle the respective Cl armpit of the user- C) Advantageously, having a concave top surface improves the comfort and stability of a users 0 armpits when positioned on the armpit abutment portions.

In one embodiment, a seating apparatus is provided, comprising a pair of armpit supports as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs.

Advantageously, the armpit supports are adapted to readily attach to the seating apparatus- In another embodiment, an armpit support of the pair of armpit supports as described in any Cl one of the preceding paragraphs is provided.

00 o 10 Preferably, the inner end of each cantilever arm comprises a first pivot having a substantially 0 Cl vertical axis in use and wherein each second region comprises a second pivot having a substantially horizontal axis in use, such that the pair of armpit supports can be selectively swung out of the way of the user.

Brief Descriptionl of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I shows a side view of a seating apparatus having a pair of armpit supports and a chair in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a front view of the seating apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a top view of the seating apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a side view of a rear portion of a cantilever arm and a top portion of a body of the pair of armpit supports, as well as a top portion of a backrest of the chair of the seating apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a side view of one of the armpit supports of the seating apparatus of Fig.

I;

Fig. 6 shows a front view of a lower portion of one of the cantilever arms of one of the armpit supports of the seating apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an attachment means for attaching one of the armpit supports of the seating apparatus of Fig. 1 to the chair of the seating apparatus of Fig.

4 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by P1 Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:06 FAX +61294111564BatrI Baxter IP 21i0008/0016 00 Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments o Referring to the figures, a seating apparatus 10 is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The seating apparatus 10 may be used to relieve or lessen back pain of a user where the user is in a sitting position, such as at work or in the Ci 5 home. The seating apparatus 10 finds particular application for people who have to sit in front of the computer for extended periods of time.

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in In different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

ci Referring to the embodiment of Figs. i to 7, the seating apparatus 10 is shown, comprising a 0o 10 chair 15 and a pair of armpit supports 20, the armpit supports 20 being adapted to attach to o the chair 15. Each of the armpit supports 20 comprises an armnpit abutment portion 25 and a framework 30. Each of the armpit supports 20 has equivalent components, and thus for clarity, only one of the armpit supports 20 will be described.

Each framework 30 comprises an upper end region 35, a substantially vertical mid-region 36 and a lower end region 40. The upper end region 35 and the mid-region 36 are adapted to provide the armpit abutment portion 25 at a position such that the armpit abutment portion is located under an armpit of a user when in use. The lower end region 40 is adapted to attach the armpit support 20 to the chair The upper end region 35 takes the form of a tubular cantilever arm 45 having a bend 50 such that a rear end 55 depends downwardly. A triangular stiffening web 56 strengthens the 90-degree bend 50. As best shown in Fig. 3, the cantilever arms 45 curve laterally around the possible upper bulk of a person under their armpit between the armpit abutment portions 25, and the arm bends 50. This lateral curve comprises an outward curve and then an inward curve.

Referring to Figs 4 to 6, the mid-region 36 takes the form of a substantially vertical tubular body 60 comprising a first tube 65, a second tube 66 of larger diameter than the first tube and a third tube 70 of larger diameter than the second tube 66. The first tube 65 is located at a top end 75 of the body 60 and forms a swivel joint 80 With the rear end 55 of the cantilever arm 45 such that the cantilever arm 45 extends substantially perpendicularly and forwardly to the body 60 in use and is free to rotate about a vertical axis at the swivel joint 80. In one embodiment, the swivel joint 80 takes the form of a smaller diameter tube 85 filled in the first tube 65 being adapted to and rotatably receive the rear end 55 of the cantilever arm COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:06 FAX +61294111564 Baxter IP 10009/0016 00 SA lower end of the first tube 65 is joined to a top end of the second tube 66. A fixed circumferential flange 86 surrounds the top end of the second tube 66. A lower end of the j second tube 66 is located within a top end of the third tube 70 and forms a height adjustment mechanism 90. The height adjustment mechanism 90 includes a tapered roller bearing (not

M

n 5 shown) bushed into the second tube 66 and a stud (not shown) bushed into the third tube The second tube 66 is free to slide within the third tube 70 and rotation of a height adjustment knob 95 selectively tightens or loosens the height adjustment mechanism 90 and allows the cantilever arm 45 to be fixed at a desired height.

Referring to Figs 1, 3 and 4, a restricting bracket 100 comprises a straight portion 105 and an C" 10 arcuate portion 110. The straight portion 105 is attached to a rear surface of a backrest 115 00 0of the chair 15 and the arcuate portion 110 is integral with the straight portion 105 such that p the arcuate portion 110 curves laterally and forwardly in relation to the backrest 115. A free end of the arcuate portion 105 is located above the flange 80 and comprises a notch 120 such that adjustment of the height of the framework 30 is limited in an upward direction when the flange 86 comes into contact with the restricting bracket 100 at the notch 120.

Referring specifically to Fig. 5, the armpit abutment portion 25 is rotatably mounted to a top surface of a front end 125 of the cantilever arm 45 and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the top (see Fig. The armpit abutment portion 25 comprises a soft pad 130 and a base 135. A top surface of the soft pad 130 comprises a concavity 140 adapted to cradle the respective armpit of the user in use and a bottom surface of the soft pad 130 is fixed to a top surface of the base 135. A bottom surface of the base 135 comprises a central aperture (not shown).

The cantilever arm 45 comprises first and second opposing slits 145, 150 respectively, located a relatively short distance from the front end 125. The slits 145, 150 are orientatedq longitudinally along the cantilever arm 45, the first slit 145 being located at the bottom of the cantilever arm 45 and the second slit 150 being located at the top.

A bolt 155 is passed through the slits 145, 150 of the cantilever arm 45, through a washer 165 located above the cantilever arm 45 and then screwed into the central aperture of the base 135 from beneath. The bolt 155 is fixed with a locknut 166 from beneath the cantilever arm 45 with a washer 167 in between. This maintains the armpit abutment portion 25 at a preadjusted degree of looseness with respect to the cantilever arm 45 such that the slits 145, 150 act as a track through which the bolt 155 can be slid forwardly or rearwardly, thus enabling the armpit abutment portion 25 to be translated forwardly or rearwardly. The armpit abutment portion 25 may also be rotationally adjusted about the substantially vertical axis formed by the bolt 155.

6 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:07 FAX +81294111564 Bxe Pljoooi Baxter IP Z0010/0016 00 o It should be noted that the attachment of the armpit abutment portion 25 to the cantilever arm 0 Nl 45 need not be achieved with the bolt 155 and locknut 166 arrangement it may be any type U of arrangement that provides the same functionality, It is preferred that the material used in 0 connecting the armpit abutment portions 25 to the respective arms 45 does not degenerate in any way over time, such as by rusting and/or causing creaking sounds when bearing load.

In another embodiment, once the desired position and orientation of the armpit abutment portion 25 is achieved, the bolt 155 can be tightened With a nut a wingnut) to substantially fix the armpit abutment portion 25 to the cantilever arm 45. In another embodiment, the armpit abutment portion 25 may be riveted to the cantilever arm Ni 10 Referring specifically to Fig. 6, the lower end region 40 takes the form of a hooked bracket 00 o 170 having a vertical portion 175 that is integral at a lower end to a curved portion 180 that 0 curves around a seat portion 185 of the chair 15 (see Fig. The curved portion 180 terminates at a substantially horizontal portion 156 that is orientated towards a mid-region of the seat portion 185. The hooked bracket 170 has a rectangular cross-section and is releasably fixed at a top end of the vertical portion 175 to a bottom end of the body 60 by virtue of a screw-plate 190.

Referring specifically to Fig. 7, a plurality of opposing circular apertures are located at front and rear faces of the substantially horizontal portion 186 of the hooked bracket 170. In this embodiment, there are three front circular apertures 200, 201, 202 aligned respectively with three-rear circular apertures 203, 204, 205 to form an inner, middle and outer lateral through, aperture 206, 207, 208. Inner, middle and outer vertical top apertures 209, 210, 211 are located through a top face of the horizontal portion 186 and are aligned with the respective inner, middle and outer lateral through apertures 206, 207, 208.

A fixture bracket 212 comprises a casing 213 in which the horizontal portion 186 can be slidingly located. In this embodiment, the fixture bracket 212 further comprises two lateral wings 215 integral and aligned with a rear wall of the casing 213. Each of the wings 215 abuts and is attached by a screw 220 to a front surface of a beam depending from the undersurface of the seat portion 185 (see Fig. This substantially fixes the fixture bracket 212 to the seat portion 185. It should be noted that the fixture bracket 212 may be fixed in any suitable manner to the undersurface of the seat portion 185. In another embodiment, the wings 215 may be provided in an orientation to directly abut the undersurface of the seat portion 185 so that it can be fixed to the undersurface.

In this embodiment the casing 213 comprises protrusion 225 from a front wall. The protrusion 225 has a first casing aperture 226 through it, which has a threaded inner surface.

The first casing aperture 226 is aligned with a second, opposing casing aperture 230 in the 7 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:07 FAX ±61294111564 Bxe Plj~ioi Baxter IP laO011/0016 00 o rear wall of the casing 213. A third casing aperture 235 is located in a top wall of the casing 213 and is in line with the first and second casing apertures 226, 230. The first, second and third casing apertures 226, 230 and 235 form the casing apertures 240.

0 Thus, when the horizontal portion 186 is located Within the casing 21 and any of the inner (N 5 set of apertures 206, 209, middle set of apertures 207, 210, or outer set of apertures 208, 211 is aligned with the casing apertures 240, a first pin 245 may be passed through the first casing aperture 226, the inner, middle or outer lateral through the aperture 206, 207, 208 and V) the second casing aperture 230. In this embodiment, the first pin 245 further comprises a threaded portion 250 adjacent the head 255 that is adapted to cooperate with the thread of 0 (N 10 the first casing aperture 226 to allow the first pin 245 to be releasably fixed to the horizontal 00 o portion 186 to the fixture bracket 212. Lateral translational adjustment of the armpit supports can thus be achieved by the selective engagement the first pin 245 with one of the inner, middle or outer lateral through apertures 206, 207, 208. A second pin (not shown) can be engaged through the third casing aperture 235 and the respective one of the inner, middle or outer vertical top apertures 209, 210, 211 to further fix the framework 30 to the fixture bracket 212. In another embodiment, either the first pin 245 or the second pin is used to fix the framework 30 to the fixture bracket 212.

In this embodiment, there are three apertures 206, 207, 208. It should be appreciated, however, that a greater number of apertures may be provided to increase the degree of lateral translational adjustability.I Refening to Figs 1 and 2, the chair 15 is a type of standard office chair and comprises the backrest 115, the seat portion 185, a frame 260, a pair of armrests 265 and a base assembly 270. The frame 260 has an upright beam 275 and a horizontal beam 280. The upright beam 275 is attached to the backrest 115 and maintains it substantially upright. The horizontal beam 280 is attached to a beam depending from the undersurface of the seat portion 185 and maintains it substantially horizontally and in fixed relation to the backrest 115. The armrests 265 each have a bent lower portion that is adapted to attach to the beam depending from the undersurface of the seat portion 185.

The base assembly 270 comprises a pneumatic height adjustment mechanism 285 attached to or seated in the frame 260 at a top end. A bottom end of the pneumatic height adjustment mechanism 285 is attached to a base 295 having five radially disposed legs- The feet of the legs are attached to castors 300 allowing the chair to be easily moved. A lever 305 activates the pneumatic height adjustment mechanism 285 and allows the user to selectively raise or lower the seat portion 185 wvith respect to the base 295.

8 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:07 FAX ±61294111564 Bxe PIJO201 Baxter IP IN012/0016 00 It should be noted that the chair 15 need not take this particular configuration. For example, the chair could take the form of a dining room chair. In another embodiment, the armpit supports 20 are provided without a chair and can be retrofitted to a suitable chair.

Advantageously, the armpit supports 20 provide traction to a user's spine, particularly the 5 lumbar portion and potentially lessen, relieve or prevent back pain.

Advantageously, if the user falls asleep while using the armpit supports 20, the armpit supports 20 wil maintain the user in an upright position and prevent the user from sleeping in a position that may strain the user's back, for example, leaning forward and resting the head or chest on the table or desk resulting in a sharp and undesirable arc at a critical section low 00 10 down on the spine.

Advantageously, the cantilever arm 45 is an effective means for providing the armpit abutment portions 25 at positions to properly accommodate the user and also for attaching the armpit supports 20 to a chair 15. Each cantilever arm 45 is provided with an outward bulge (curve) extending from the armpit abutment portion 25 to a position close to the inner end of the cantilever arm 45 so as to accommodate a person of considerable bulk at the chest. The outward bulge ensures that the cantilever arm 45 does not interfere with the side of the chest under the armnpit.

Advantageously, the armpits supports 20 and the position and orientation of the armpit abutment portions 25 may be adjusted to better accommodate the physical characteristics the height, width and size) of the user to improve comfort and stability. Furthermore, the level of traction provided to the spine the proportion of the user's upper bodyweight supported by the armpits) can be varied accordingly to the user's comfort preference and/or needs by adjusting the height of the armpit abutment portions 25 relative to the chair Advantageously, having soft padding 130 on the armpit abutment Portions 25 improves the comfort of the user in use, and allows the armpit supports 20 to be used for longer periods of time. Additionally, having a concavity 140 in the top surface improves the comfort and stability of a user's armpits when positioned on the armpit abutment portions.

Advantageously, the lateral adjustment mechanism formed from the engagement of the horizontal portion 186 of the hooked bracket 170 of the armpit supports 20 with the fixture bracket 212 allows the user to adjust the lateral position of the armpit supports 20 while remaining seated on the chair If a user needs to perform an action that requires specific movement of the arms that would be hindered by the armpit supports 20, the user can simply take their armpits off the supports to perform the desired action.

9 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:07 FAX +61294111564BatrI i01/06 Baxter IP Q0013/0016 00 o In use, the user may alternate between different height adjustments to transfer weight to different portions of the spine.

While the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred 0 embodiments it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other (N 5 forms.

It should be further noted that any component of any embodiment of the invention may be constructed from metal, polymer or other engineering material that is sufficiently strong to 'fl bear the weight of the user and where applicable, to avoid rusting and resulting creaking o while in use. In other embodiments, the framework 30 may be a solid structure.

00 10 In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific o termninology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or 'comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, iLe. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

COMB ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22

Claims

1. A pair of armpit supports for attachment to a chair, each armpit support comprising a M frame adapted for attachment to the chair and an armpit abutment portion attached to the frame and adapted to be located under an armpit of a user, such that the armpit supports support at least a portion of the user's upper bodyweight in use, wherein each armpit support further comprises an armpit abutment portion position adjustment means, each of the armpit abutment portion position adjustment means comprising at least a forward-aft translation adjustment means adapted to allow the 00 10 armpit abutment portion to be selectively translated by a user in a forward-aft direction relative to the frame.

2. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of the armpit abutment portion position adjustment means comprises at least a height adjustment means.

3. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the armpit abutment portion position adjustment means comprises at least a lateral translation adjustment means.

4. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, each armpit support further comprising an armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each of the armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises at least a first orientation adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment portion about a vertical axis.

6. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises at least a second orientation adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment portion about a lateral axis.

7. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein each of the armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises at least a third orientation adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment portion about a forward-aft axis.

8. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each frame comprises a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region, the armpit abutment portion being provided at the first end region, the second end region being adapted for attachment to the chair and the intermediate region being I1I COMS IDNo: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 17:08 FAX +61294111564 Baxter IP U0015/0016 00 located between the first and second end regions, the intermediate region curving Soutwardly and then inwardly such that the intermediate region is spaced from the ]j respective side of the user's chest in use.

9. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim8, wherein the first end region of each c 5 frame takes the form of a cantilever arm. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; wherein each _of the armpit abutment portions comprises a soft pad. S11. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim 10, wherein each of the soft pads has a Stop surface that is concave to cradle the respective armpit of the user. 00

12. A pair of armpit supports as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the first end region of each Scantilever arm comprises a first pivot having a substantially vertical axis in use and wherein each second region comprises a second pivot having a substantially horizontal axis in use, such that the pair of armpit supports can be selectively swung out of the way of the user.

13. A seating apparatus comprising a pair of armpit supports as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

14. An armpit support of the pair of armpit supports of any one of claims 1 to 12. A pair of armpit supports substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 12 COMS ID No: ARCS-218095 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:09 Date 2008-12-22