Cushioning system with parallel sheets having opposing indentions for linear deflection under load

• US 7,574,760 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skydex Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Skydex Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Foley, Peter, Pepe, Timothy Patrick, Buchen, Gerald Michael (Mike), Lyons, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Trettel; Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/326,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20060277685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 565/3, 565/4, 565/41, 565/57, 565/59, 571/9, 572/1, 574/0, 267142-145, 267/81, 267/103, 267/107, 267/164, 267/165, 36/29, 36/35.B
• US Class Current: 5/655.7
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/065 of special shape
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/144 inside the mattress or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/021 Detachable or loose seat cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/029 of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions

Abstract

A cushion comprises a first surface made of flexible high polymer resin; a second surface made of flexible high polymer resin, in at least partially coextensive relation to the first surface to define a cavity therebetween, the coextensive relation defining opposing corresponding portions of the first and second surfaces; a plurality of support members comprising inwardly directed indentations in both of the first and second surfaces extending into the cavity, a plurality of the indentations in each of the first and second surfaces having a square shape and an outwardly facing recess, a plurality of the indentations in the first surface abutting the indentations in the second surface; a layer of viscoelastic foam substantially overlying the first surface; and, a fabric enclosure surrounding the first surface, the second surface and the foam layer.

Claims

1. A cushion comprising:

(a) a first surface made of flexible high polymer resin;

(b) a second surface made of flexible high polymer resin, in at least partially coextensive relation to said first surface to define a cavity therebetween, said coextensive relation defining opposing corresponding portions of said first and second surfaces;

(c) a plurality of support members comprising inwardly directed indentations in both of said first and second surfaces extending into the cavity, a plurality of the indentations in each of the first and second surfaces having a square shape and an outwardly facing recess, a plurality of the indentations in said first surface abutting said indentations in the second surface;

(d) a layer of visco-elastic foam substantially overlying the first surface; and

,

(e) a fabric enclosure surrounding the first surface, the second surface and the foam layer.

2. A cushioning component comprising:

(a) a top surface made of flexible high polymer resin;

(b) a bottom surface made of flexible high polymer resin, in at least partially coextensive relation to said top surface to define a cavity therebetween, said coextensive relation defining opposing corresponding portions of said top and bottom surfaces;

(c) a plurality of support members comprising inwardly directed indentations in both of said top and bottom surfaces extending into the cavity, a plurality of the indentations in each of the top and bottom surfaces being substantially square in cross section and having an outwardly facing recess, a plurality of the indentations in said top surface abutting said indentations in the bottom surface.

3. A cushioning component as recited in claim 2 wherein the force required to compress the cushioning component is a substantially linear function of the deflection comprising the compression.

4. A cushioning component as recited in claim 2 wherein the indentations comprise a substantially planar surface opposite the outwardly facing recess.

5. A cushioning component as recited in claim 2 wherein the indentations comprise two pairs of opposing walls with a rounded section joining each wall to an adjacent wall.

6. A cushioning component as recited in claim 5 additionally comprising a substantially planar surface opposite the outwardly facing recess with a rounded section joining each wall to the substantially planar surface.