Paul W Franzen Deceased548 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444

5685613, Nov 11, 1997

Jan 11, 1996

8/584037

Paul W. Franzen - Lafayette Hill PA

A47C 738

297397

An orthopedic pillow for helping to correct and helping to prevent hyperkyphosis and rigidity of the thoracic spine and for returning the normal lordotic cervical curve comprises a base panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, a left top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a right top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, a first crown for supporting the thoracic spine, the first crown being formed on the first end portion of the base panel, extending toward the second end portion of the base panel, and dividing at least partially the left top surface segment from the right top surface segment, and a transition ramp formed in the first end portion of the first crown for supporting the spine just under and below the shoulder blades of a reclining person. Other embodiments of the invention include a cylindrical pillow having a transition ramp, a removable pillow apparatus for supporting the neck of a person sitting in a bucket seat of a car, and a chair having a pillow having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with a center axis that extends between its upper end portion and its lower end portion.

5482355, Jan 9, 1996

Apr 9, 1993

8/044951

Paul W. Franzen - Lafayette Hill PA

A47C 740
A47C 738

297410

An orthopedic pillow for helping to correct and helping to prevent hyperkyphosis and rigidity of the thoracic spine and for returning the normal lordotic cervical curve comprises a base panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, a left top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a right top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, a first crown for supporting the thoracic spine, the first crown being formed on the first end portion of the base panel, extending toward the second end portion of the base panel, and dividing at least partially the left top surface segment from the right top surface segment, and a transition ramp formed in the first end portion of the first crown for supporting the spine just under and below the shoulder blades of a reclining person. Other embodiments of the invention include a cylindrical pillow having a transition ramp, a removable pillow apparatus for supporting the neck of a person sitting in a bucket seat of a car, and a chair having a pillow having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with a center axis that extends between its upper end portion and its lower end portion.

5630239, May 20, 1997

Jun 6, 1995

8/466204

Paul W. Franzen - Lafayette Hill PA

A47G 900
A61G 707

5632

An orthopedic pillow for helping to correct and helping to prevent hyperkyphosis and rigidity of the thoracic spine and for returning the normal lordotic cervical curve comprises a base panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, a left top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a right top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, a first crown for supporting the thoracic spine, the first crown being formed on the first end portion of the base panel, extending toward the second end portion of the base panel, and dividing at least partially the left top surface segment from the right top surface segment, and a transition ramp formed in the first end portion of the first crown for supporting the spine just under and below the shoulder blades of a reclining person. Other embodiments of the invention include a cylindrical pillow having a transition ramp, a removable pillow apparatus for supporting the neck of a person sitting in a bucket seat of a car, and a chair having a pillow having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with a center axis that extends between its upper end portion and its lower end portion.

5458564, Oct 17, 1995

Nov 23, 1993

8/156073

Paul W. Franzen - Lafayette Hill PA

A61F 500

602 21

A wrist brace to prevent injury to persons such as concrete finishers who repetitively use their arms to support themselves or exert pressure against an object is disclosed. The wrist brace has a support element for maintaining the wearer's hand in a clenched fist configuration and a planar alignment of the hand, wrist and forearm. The support element is secured to the dorsal side of the wearer's arm by straps. The brace has a hand strap for securing the support element against the hand and maintaining the hand in a clenched fist during use of the brace. The support element also has cushioning such as foamed polyurethane adjacent to the wearer's arm. The support element may also have a hinge near the forearm to permit wrist and hand portions of the support element to be rotated thereby permitting the brace to be slidably retracted along the arm when the brace is not in use. This obviates the need to remove the brace entirely from the arm. Optionally, a protective guard may be positioned on the hand portion of the support element where contact with the object such as a floor will be made.