Impact cushioning device for bed or wheelchair
First Claim
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1. An impact cushioning device for protecting a wheelchair occupant from fall-related injuries, comprising the combination of:
- a wheelchair having a frame portion and a horizontal seat portion;
at least one sensing means disposed in said seat portion, said sensing means being operable to generate a signal when the weight of said occupant is removed therefrom;
an inflatable air cushion attached to said frame portion;
means connected to said frame portion for inflating said air cushion, said inflating means being responsive to said signal generated by said sensing means; and
a switch means for selectively activating and deactivating said sensing means;
said air cushion being supported by said frame portion in a manner wherein said air cushion will inflate outwardly from said wheelchair so as to create a barrier between said wheelchair occupant and the floor when said occupant falls forward from said seat portion.
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Abstract
This invention relates to an impact cushioning device for protecting wheelchair or hospital bed occupants from fall-related injuries. The cushioning device generally comprises an inflatable air cushion which is supported by the wheelchair or hospital bed and adapted to inflate when the occupant is removed from the wheelchair or bed. The air cushion is oriented on the wheelchair or bed in a manner wherein the cushion creates a barrier between the wheelchair or bed occupant and the floor when inflated.
57 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An impact cushioning device for protecting a wheelchair occupant from fall-related injuries, comprising the combination of:
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a wheelchair having a frame portion and a horizontal seat portion; at least one sensing means disposed in said seat portion, said sensing means being operable to generate a signal when the weight of said occupant is removed therefrom; an inflatable air cushion attached to said frame portion; means connected to said frame portion for inflating said air cushion, said inflating means being responsive to said signal generated by said sensing means; and a switch means for selectively activating and deactivating said sensing means; said air cushion being supported by said frame portion in a manner wherein said air cushion will inflate outwardly from said wheelchair so as to create a barrier between said wheelchair occupant and the floor when said occupant falls forward from said seat portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An impact cushioning device for protecting a hospital bed occupant from fall-related injuries, comprising the combination of:
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a bed having a mattress portion and a frame portion; at least one sensing means disposed in said mattress portion, said sensing means being operable to generate a signal when the weight of said occupant is removed therefrom; at least one inflatable air cushion attached to said frame portion; means connected to said frame portion for inflating said air cushion, said inflating means being responsive to said signal generated by said sensing means; and a switch means for selectively activating and deactivating said sensing means; said air cushion being supported by said frame portion in a manner wherein said air cushion will inflate outwardly from at least one longitudinally extending edge of said bed so as to create a barrier between said bed occupant and the floor when said occupant falls from said at least one longitudinally extending edge of said bed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification