Cushioning device formed from separate reshapable cells
US5829081A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S5/922
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cushion that includes a base and numerous bladders locatable on the base is disclosed and claimed. Each bladder contains a quantity of filler insufficient to completely fill the bladder, and each bladder has a loose or elastomeric skin to accommodate its conforming to the shape of an object to be supported by the cushion. The top surface of each bladder acts as a hammock when supporting a cushioned object, and the bladders interact with each other to accommodate protuberance and crevices of the cushioned object. Other embodiments of the invention include a cushion that is pre-shaped in a form complementary to the shape of the object to be cushioned, and a cushion that re-shapes itself to maintain supporting forces that are generally equal across the contact surface of the supported object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.