Multi-layer cushion and cover

• US 20030205920A1
• Filed: 04/29/2003
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roho Incorporated (Permobil Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: Roho Incorporated (Permobil Holding AB)
• Inventors: Sprouse, Anothony Eric II, Parsons, David Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 6,901,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/219.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/10 with two or more independently-fillable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/54 Inflatable chairs connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/021 Detachable or loose seat cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/18 having foamed material included in cushioning part foamed material mattresses A47C27/14

Abstract

A multi-layer cushion having a shaped base on which is positioned a resilient, cushioning layer. The shaped base is constructed from a supportive foam and has front and lateral bolsters. The cushioning layer is an inflatable air cell cushion having a flexible base and an array of individual air cells arranged in rows across the flexible base. Rows of cells around the perimeter of the air cell cushion are configured to provide comfortable transition areas between the bolsters and the air cell cushion. The cushion includes a cover that has a lower compartment for the foam base and an upper compartment for the air cell layer. The cover functions to keep the air cell layer in place on the foam layer.

Claims

1. A seat cushion comprising;

a supportive base having a front bolster, a first lateral bolster and a second lateral bolster;

a cushioning layer positioned on the base, said resilient layer comprised of a flexible base having a front edge, opposes side edges and a rear edge with an array of individual air cells on the flexible base, each said air cell comprised of a substantially rectangular body and a top wall, the array of individual air cells arranged in a plurality of rows of linearly aligned air cells, at least one of said rows of air cells positioned along the front edge of the cushioning layer flexible base and positioned to form a transition area between the front bolster and the cushioning layer; and

a cover enclosing the base and cellular cushion.

2. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the individual air cells of said at least one row having a top wall angled downwardly toward a front edge of the base.

3. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the individual cells of said at least one row being of a lesser vertical height than the individual air cells of a row adjacent to said at least one row of individual air cells.

4. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the cover further comprises a first compartment for containment of the base and a second compartment for containment of the resilient layer, said second recited compartment functioning to position and maintain the resilient layer on the base.

5. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the said cushioning layer further comprises a one row of individual air cells along the rear edge of the flexible base of the cushioning layer flexible base to form a rear bolster.

6. The seat cushion of claim 5 wherein said row of individual air cells along the rear edge of the flexible base of the cushioning layer is further comprised of two individual air cells.

7. The seat cushion of claim 5 wherein the individual air cells along the rear edge of the flexible base of the cushioning layer has a greater surface area than any other individual air cell in the array of air cells.

8. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein said cushioning layer includes a row of cells along the first side edge of the flexible base and a row of cells along the second side edge of the flexible base, said row of cells along said first side edge of the flexible base shaped and positioned to form a transition area between the first lateral bolster and the cushioning layer and said row of cells along said second side edge of the flexible base shaped and positioned to form a transition area between the second lateral bolster and the cushioning layer.

9. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the resilient layer is molded from neoprene.

10. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the supportive base is formed from a polyurethane foam.

11. A multi-layer seat cushion comprising;

a supportive base;

a cushioning layer positioned on the base; and

a cover comprising a first compartment enclosing the supportive base and a second compartment enclosing the cushioning layer, whereby the cover maintains the cushioning layer in position on the supportive base.

12. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein said supportive base further comprises a front bolster, a first lateral bolster, a second lateral bolster and a support surface.

13. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein said cushioning layer comprises a flexible base having a front edge, opposes side edges and a rear edge with an array of individual air cells on the flexible base, each said air comprised of a substantially rectangular body and a top wall, the array of individual air cells arranged in a plurality of rows of linearly aligned air cells, at least one of said rows of air cells positioned along the front edge of the cushioning layer flexible base and positioned to form a transition area between the front bolster and the cushioning layer.

14. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein the said cushioning layer further comprises a row of individual air cells along the rear edge of the resilient layer flexible base to form a rear bolster.

15. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein said resilient layer further comprises a gel-filled cellular cushion.

16. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein the resilient layer is molded from a plastic.

17. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein said resilient layer further comprises a gelatinous elastomer.

18. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 17 wherein said resilient layer further comprises a gelatinous elastomer formed in a honeycomb arrangement

19. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 17 wherein said resilient layer further comprises gelatinous elastomer formed into shock absorbing columns.

20. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein said cover further comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and bottom panel, said recited panels defining a main compartment, and a middle panel within said inner compartment dividing said inner compartment into said first and second compartments.

21. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 having a first closure apparatus for closing said first compartment.

22. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 having a closure apparatus for closing said second compartment.

23. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 21 or 22 wherein said closure apparatus is a zipper.

24. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 20 wherein said top panel is comprised of an elastic material.

25. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 20 wherein said bottom panel is comprised of a wear resistant, non-skid material.

26. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 21 wherein said closure apparatus is located on said back panel.

27. The multi-layer seat cushion of claim 11 wherein said cushioning layer further comprises an air fill tube and said cover further comprises an opening therein for egress of said air fill tube.

28. A cover for use with a seat cushion having at least two cushion layers, comprising a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and bottom panel, said recited panels defining a inner compartment, and a middle panel within said inner compartment dividing said inner compartment into a first pocket to contain one of said at least two cushion layers and second pocket to contain the other of said at least two cushion layers whereby the cover maintains the at least two layers in vertical alignment.

29. The cover of claim 28 having a first closure apparatus for closing said first pocket.

30. The cover of claim 28 having a closure apparatus for closing said second pocket.

31. The cover of claim 28 wherein said top panel is comprised of an elastic material.

32. The cover of claim 28 wherein said bottom panel is comprised of a wear resistant, non-skid material.

33. The cover of claim 28 further comprising means on said bottom panel for attaching the seat cushion to support surface.

34. The cover of claim 33 wherein said support surface is a seat of a wheelchair.

35. A seat cushion comprising;

a supportive base having a front bolster, a first lateral bolster and a second lateral bolster;

an air cell cushion positioned on the base, said air cell cushion comprised of a flexible base having a front edge, opposed side edges and a rear edge with an array of individual air cells on the flexible base, each said air comprised of a substantially rectangular body and a top wall, the array of individual air cells arranged in a plurality of rows of linearly aligned air cells, at least one of said rows of air cells positioned along an edge of the resilient layer flexible base and configured and positioned to form a transition area between the base and the cellular cushion; and

a cover comprising a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and bottom panel, said recited panels defining a main compartment, and a middle panel within said inner compartment dividing said inner compartment into a first subdivision to contain one of said at least two cushion layers and second subdivision to contain the other of said at least two cushion layers whereby the cover maintains the at least two layers in alignment.

36. A multi-layer cushion comprising:

a supportive base comprising a front bolster along a front edge and first lateral bolster along a first lateral edge and a second lateral bolster along a second lateral edge;

a cushioning layer on the supportive base comprising an inflatable air cell cushion having a flexible base and an array of individual air cells extending upwardly from said flexible base and arranged in rows across the flexible base, said array of cells comprising rows of cells around the perimeter of the air cell cushion being configured and positioned to provide comfortable transition areas between the bolsters and the air cell cushion; and

a cover having a lower compartment for the supportive base and an upper compartment for the cushioning layer, whereby the cover maintains the cushioning layer in place on the supportive base.

37. The multi-layer cushion of claim 36 wherein said array of cells further comprise a plurality of rows of cells comprising an ischial support area for a user seated on the cushion.

38. The multi-layer cushion of claim 36 wherein said rows of cells further comprise a row of cells along a rear edge of the air cell cushion forming a bolster.

39. The multi-layer cushion of claim 36 wherein a vertical height of the cells comprising the array of cells is substantially uniform across the cushion when the air cell cushion is positioned on the supportive base.

40. The multi-layer cushion of claim 36 wherein the individual air cells have four fins.