Chair with inflatable cellular insert

• US 20050151410A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Roho Incorporated (Permobil Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: Roho Incorporated (Permobil Holding AB)
• Inventors: Sprouse, Anthony Eric II
• Application Number:
  US11/061,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151410A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/452.410
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/14 of adjustable shape; elastically mounted ; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261; elastically-mounted back-rests or backrest-seat units in the base frame A47C7/44
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/144 with array of movable supports

Abstract

A chair having a backrest and seat with a seat cushion including a base with an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the base so as to be positioned under the areas of high-pressure areas on the buttocks of a normally positioned user. The inflatable air cell pad is operatively connected to a pump device having an external control on the chair for access by a seated user of the chair. The user can sit on the chair seat and inflate or deflate the air cell pad for optimal support and comfort. In one aspect of the chair the pump is an electric pump. In one aspect of the chair, the backrest also comprises a base with an inflatable air cell pad.

Claims

1. A chair for support of a seated user, comprising:

a backrest to support the back of a normally positioned user;

a seat to provide support under a buttocks area of a normally positioned user;

the seat comprising;

a base;

an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the base and located in the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks of a normally positioned user; and

a pump device operatively connected to the air cell pad and positioned for access by the user of the chair so the user can sit on the seat and inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump device for optimal support and comfort.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein the pump device is an electric pump.

3. The chair of claim 2 further comprising a control operatively connected to the electric pump wherein the user can inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump device for optimal support and comfort

4. The chair of claim 1 wherein the pump device comprises a bulb and valve combination.

5. The chair of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a cavity for placement of the air cell pad.

6. The chair of claim 1 further comprising a second inflatable air cell pad positioned in a base within the backrest.

7. The chair of claim 6 wherein the second inflatable air cell pad is operatively connected to the pump device.

8. The chair of claim 6 wherein the recited air cell pads comprise a flexible base, an array of individual interconnected air cells on the base, and an air conduit having one end in fluid connection with at least one of the individual air cells and a second end connectable to the pump.

9. The chair of claim 7 wherein the air cell pad is formed from neoprene.

10. The chair of claim 1 wherein the base is formed from polyurethane foam.

11. The chair of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a framework positioned within the seat to secure the inflatable air cell cushion in place

12. The chair of claim 1 wherein the air cell pad is formed from a plastic material.

13. A chair for support of a seated user, the chair comprising:

a backrest for supporting the back of a seated user, said backrest comprising a base and a first inflatable air cell pad positioned in a space defined by the base;

a seat cushion for support of a buttocks area of the seated user, said seat cushion further comprising;

a base defining a space for an inflatable air cell pad;

a second inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the space defined by the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks area of a normally positioned user,

a pump device operatively connected to the second air cell pad for access by the user of the chair so the user can sit on the seat and inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump device for optimal support and comfort; and

a control for actuating the pump device.

14. The chair of claim 13 wherein the pump device is an electric pump.

15. The chair of claim 13 wherein the first air cell pad is operatively connected to the pump device.

16. The chair of claim 13 wherein each air cell pad comprises a flexible base, an array of upstanding, interconnected air cells on the base and, an air conduit in fluid communication with at least one of the individual air cells;

17. The chair of claim 13 wherein the base is a resilient foam base.

18. The chair of claim 17 wherein the space defined by the base is formed through a top surface of the base.

19. The chair of claim 17 wherein the space defined by the base is formed through a bottom surface of the base.

20. The chair of claim 13 wherein the base further comprises a substantially rigid frame defining the space for an air cell pad.

21. A chair for support of a seated user, the chair comprising:

a backrest for supporting the back of the seated user;

a first inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within said back rest, said air cell pad comprising a flexible base, an array of upstanding, interconnected air cells on the base and an air conduit in fluid communication with at least one of the individual air cells;

a seat for seating of the user, the seat comprising a base defining a space for a second inflatable air cell pad, which is positioned securely within the base and located in the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks of a normally positioned user, said second air cell pad comprising a flexible base, an array of upstanding, interconnected air cells on the base and an air conduit in fluid communication with at least one of the individual air cells; and

a pump operatively connected to the air conduit of the second air cell cushion and positioned for access by the seated user of the chair so the user can sit on the seat cushion and inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump for optimal support and comfort.

22. The chair of claim 21 wherein said pump is an electric pump.

23. The chair of claim 21 wherein said pump is operatively connector to a control wherein said control allows the user to select an inflation level of the seat air cell cushion.

24. The chair of claim 21 wherein the air conduit of said first air cell cushion is in fluid communication with the pump and wherein the control allows the user to select an inflation level of the back rest air cell cushion.

25. The chair of claim 21 wherein the base is a foam base having a cavity formed through a top surface of the foam base.

26. The chair of claim 21 wherein the base is a substantially rigid framework defining the space for the second air cell pad.

27. The chair of claim 21 further comprising a leg rest and a reclining mechanism.

28. A chair for support of a seated user, comprising:

a backrest to support the back of a normally positioned user;

a seat to provide support under a buttocks area of a normally positioned user;

the seat comprising;

a base; and

a pressure distributing pad positioned securely within the base and located in the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks of a normally positioned user;

said pressure distributing pad selected from a group of pressure distributing pads consisting of an air cell pad, an inflatable pillow, and a gel-type pad.

29. The chair of claim 28 further comprising a pressure distributing pad positioned within the backrest, said pressure distributing pad selected from a group of pressure distributing pads consisting of an air cell pad, an inflatable pillow, and a gel-type pad.

30. The chair of claim 28 further comprising leg rest having a pressure distributing pad positioned within the leg rest said pressure distributing pad selected from a group of pressure distributing pads consisting of an air cell pad, an inflatable pillow, and a gel-type pad.

31. The chair of claim 28 further comprising a first and second arm rest, each said arm rest having a pressure distributing pad positioned within the armrest said pressure distributing pad selected from a group of pressure distributing pads consisting of an air cell pad, an inflatable pillow, and a gel-type pad.