Wraparound orthotic base, composite adjustable cushion using same and method of measuring fit of the adjusted cushion to the user's shape

• US 6,161,238 A
• Filed: 08/21/1998
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert H. Graebe
• Original Assignee: Robert H. Graebe
• Inventors: Graebe, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONLEY, FREDRICK C
• Application Number:
  US09/137,980
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 5/630, 5/640, 5/648, 5/652, 5/652.1, 5/655.9, 5/657, 5/725, 297/219.11, 297/DIG. 4, 297/452.28
• US Class Current: 5/648
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/029 of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions
• 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: Y10S 297/04 Wheelchair

Abstract

A cushion comprising an orthotic base which has a flexible body of sufficient strength to support a user while conforming to the buttocks and legs of the user and pillars on the bottom of the base to support the same and being of desired height and positioning to position the user in a desired position. The disclosure shows a preferred composite cushion comprising the orthotic base; a foam top on the base with a T-shaped cutout at the rear to accommodate an air cell pad; a balance foam underpad of smaller front to rear measurement than the base and movable from the front to the rear of the base to incline the user in a desired front to rear positioning and from left to right to position the user in a left to right direction; and a cover enclosing the base, the foam top, the air cell pad and the underpad. Removable support members are attached to the pillars beneath the orthotic base at predetermined locations to shape the top surface when a load is applied. Removable shapes also can be located on the top surface of the base to position the user in desired positions. Openings are provided through the base to facilitate moisture removal from and air circulation to the user. A method of measuring the conformity of the cushion to the shape of the user using a memory foam pad is shown.

Claims

1. A method of measuring the conformity of a cushion to the shape of a user, said cushion comprising an orthotic member having a main body portion with a top surface adapted to engage and support a user, a bottom surface, a front edge, a back edge and two opposed side edges, the body portion having sufficient strength to support a user and sufficient flexibility to conform to the hips, buttocks and legs of the user to give a larger contact area, lower suspension forces and pressures, and improved pelvic stability and balance to the user, and an array of pillars depending from the bottom surface to engage a support surface to support the body member and the user seated thereon, the top surface of the orthotic member moving to a relatively flat configuration when load is removed, comprising the steps of positioning said cushion on a memory impression pad, placing a user on the cushion so that the pillars engage and deform the pad, removing the person and cushion to expose the memory pad, and reading the depth of the pillar impressions in the pad to determine the force distribution of the user on the cushion.

2. The method of claim 1 including the steps of trimming the pillars to equalize the force distribution of the skin surface of the user on the cushion.

3. The method of claim 2 including the steps of allowing the memory pad to return to its original shape, repositioning the cushion and user on the memory pad, removing the person and cushion to expose the memory pad, and trimming the pillars to further equalize the force distribution of the user on the cushion.