Pressure distribution pad assembly for wheelchairs

• US 4,682,818 A
• Filed: 08/14/1986
• Issued: 07/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theodore R. Morell
• Original Assignee: Theodore R. Morell
• Inventors: Morell, Theodore R.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCall, James T.
• Application Number:
  US06/896,631
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 5/437, 5/436, 5/DIG. 2, 5/442, 5/464, 5/458, 5/465, 5/481, 5/459, 297/455, 297/DIG. 4, 297/452
• US Class Current: 297/452.27
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/148 of different resilience
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1043 Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1045 for the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1091 Cushions, seats or abduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05715 with modular blocks, or inserts, with layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/02 Molded

Abstract

A modifiable pressure distribution pad assembly for a wheelchair comprises a bottom pad of resilient foam material of high density and at least one upper pad of resilient foam material of intermediate density having at least one cutout defining an opening therethrough. Filler foam material of low density is frictionally mounted as an insert in at least one of the openings of the one of upper pads and removable therefrom. A cover encloses the pads, the cover permitting removal of the upper pads and associated filler material therefrom so that filler foam material in one opening can be separated from the upper pads and replaced in the one opening by filler foam material of a different density prior to return of the upper pads and associated filler foam material to the cover. A kit for preparing a modifiable assembly includes in addition, for at least one of the openings, a plurality of inserts of filler foam material adapted to be removably mounted in the opening, the inserts being of filler foam material having different low densities from each other.

Claims

1. A modifiable pressure distribution pad assembly for a wheelchair comprising:

(A) a bottom pad of resilient foam material of high density;

(B) at least one upper pad of resilient foam material of an intermediate density less than said high density, said upper pad being supported by said bottom pad and having at least one cutout defining an opening therethrough;

(C) filler foam material frictionally mounted as an insert in at least one of said openings of at least one of said upper pads and removable therefrom, said filler foam material having a low density less than said intermediate density; and

(D) a cover enclosing said pads, said cover permitting removal of said upper pad and associated filler foam material therefrom so that said filler foam material in one opening can be separated from said upper pad and replaced in said one opening by filler foam material of a different density prior to return of said upper pad and associated filler foam material to said cover.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said openings and said inserts are configured and dimensioned for frictional retention of said inserts in said openings.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said inserts and said openings are rectangular in configuration.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said inserts and said openings are square in configuration.

5. The assembly of claim 1 additionally including a substantially inflexible foundation panel disposed beneath said bottom pad, said cover enclosing said panel and said pads.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover has manually operable closure means.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper pad is substantially coextensive with said bottom pad except for said cutout.

7. A kit for preparing an individualized and modifiable pressure distribution pad assembly for a wheelchair comprising:

(A) a bottom pad of resilient foam material of high density;

(B) at least one upper pad of resilient foam material of an intermediate density less than said high density, said upper pad having at least one cutout defining an opening therethrough and being adapted to be supported by said bottom pad;

(C) for each of at least one of said openings, a plurality of inserts of filler foam material adapted to be removably mounted in said opening, said inserts being of filler foam material having different low densities from each other, said low densities being less than said intermediate density; and

(D) a cover adapted to enclose said pads, said cover permitting insertion into and removal from said cover of said upper pad and those of said inserts mounted in said openings thereof.

8. The kit of claim 7 wherein, for each of said openings adapted to mount said inserts, said opening and said inserts therefor are configured and dimensioned for removable frictional mounting of said inserts in said opening.

9. The kit of claim 8 wherein said inserts and said opening are rectangular in configuration.

10. The kit of claim 9 wherein said inserts and said opening are square in configuration.

11. The kit of claim 7 additionally including a substantially inflexible foundation panel adapted to be disposed beneath said bottom pad, said cover being adapted to enclose said panel and said pads.

12. The kit of claim 7 wherein said cover has manually operable closure means.

14. The kit of claim 7 wherein said upper pad is substantially coextensive with said bottom pad except for said cutout.