Patent · US Expired

Cushion for absorbing shock damping vibration and distributing pressure

US5121962A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
19References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 13, 1989
Grant dateJun 16, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 13, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S5/909
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

There is disclosed a cushion for absorbing energy to dampen vibration, distribute pressure and absorb shock. The cushion has a deformable polyurethane bladder which defines a chamber adapted to contain a fluid, such as air. A piece of viscoelastic material, such as a highly plasticized PVC gel, may be located inside the bladder so that when air is introduced into the chamber, the cushion is capable of absorbing energy to dampen low amplitude vibration, distribute pressure and absorb high amplitude shock. The cushion has a valve in fluid communication with the chamber for selectively varying the amount of air so that the shock absorbing capability of the cushion may be varied. Various embodiments incorporating the cushion are disclosed, including a removable bicycle saddle pad, a bicycle saddle, a wheelchair seat pad and a cyclist's glove.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.