Ergonomic seating cushion

• US 6,523,202 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Buttpillow, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Buttpillow, Inc.
• Inventors: Loomos, Melanie
• Primary Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US09/802,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20020124318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 565/3, 565/59, 574/0, 590/1, 590/2, 595/3, 572/4, 572/5, 572/7, 573/1, 573/6, 563/8, 565/21, 594/4, 297/452.26, 297/452.27
• US Class Current: 5/653
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/029 of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/944 with upstanding firm massaging projections

Abstract

An ergonomic seating cushion has a central cavity whose interior boundaries form an oscillating waveform. This feature reduces the pressure gradient on skin pressing against the cushion, promoting blood flow to the region while maintaining a central area of little or no pressure upon the perineum area. The cushion may have a dimpled surface to further lower pressure gradients, and may be tilted forward to assist in increasing lordosis and reducing lower back pain, or rearward when used by pregnant women to assist in compensating for the weight of an unborn child during pregnancy.

Claims

1. A seating cushion comprising one or more layers of compressible material, at least one said layer having an interior cavity with an interior vertical surface, said interior vertical surface forming a continuous substantially sinusoidal oscillating waveform.

2. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interior cavity extends through at least one said layer.

3. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said cushion is dimpled.

4. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one said layer has a wedge shape.

5. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seating surface of said cushion is tilted forward.

6. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seating surface of said cushion is tilted backwards.

7. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 in which said cushion is covered with an outer coating.

8. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 in which said cushion has four sides, a top surface, and a bottom surface.

9. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 1 in which said cushion has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a rounded perimeter.

10. A seating cushion comprising a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers being of compressible material, the topmost of said layers having an opening therethrough, a second layer being subjacent to said topmost layer, said second layer having an interior cavity therein, said interior cavity having an opening proximate to said elongate opening and having an interior surface having vertical portions, said vertical portions forming a continuous substantially sinusoidal oscillating waveform.

11. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 10 wherein said opening is elongate.

12. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 10 wherein said opening of said interior cavity is larger than said opening through said topmost layer such that at least a portion of said topmost layer extends over said opening of said interior cavity.

13. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 in which said the hole through said topmost layer is above said opening of said interior cavity such that the perimeter of said opening through said topmost layer is cantilevered above said opening of said interior cavity.

14. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 wherein the upper surface of said cushion is dimpled.

15. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 in which at least one said layer has a wedge shape.

16. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seating surface of said cushion is tilted forward.

17. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seating surface of said cushion is tilted backwards.

18. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 in which at least two of said layers are made from a compressible materials having different degrees of compressibility.

19. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 in which said cushion has four sides, a top surface, and a bottom surface.

20. A seating cushion as claimed in claim 12 in which said cushion has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a rounded perimeter.