Pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief
US6209159A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G5/1043
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief features at least two air bladders, and a foam outer layer covering the air bladders. Each air bladder consists of an impervious to air sheet material which surrounds an open celled compressible foam material. Attached to the air bladder is an air flow tube and attached to the air flow tube is a flow control element. When the flow control element is open air from the atmosphere is able to communicate with the interior of the open celled compressible foam material through the air flow tube in combination with the flow control element. The open celled compressible foam material is of such a characteristic that once it is deformed it tends to regain its original shape, thus filling the air bladder with air, if the flow control element is open. Such a structure allows the cushion to be adjusted for maximum firmness, by not allowing air to leave the air bladders; minimum firmness is achieved by leaving the flow control element open, thus allowing air to be expelled from the air bladder; and selective pressure point relief is achieved by expelling air from an air bladder, closing its flow control element to prevent re-infla…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.