Abstract: A back support system that is designed to form the back of a chair. The back support system has a frontal surface on which is mounted several sets of inflatable bladders. The back support system is to be tiltable about a transverse axis toward and away from the user's back. The back support system also includes bolsters located at each side of the back support system with each bolster to be pivotable toward and away from the lateral edge of the user's back. The inflatable bladders are positioned to contact the different muscle groups of the back with no inflatable bladder located to apply pressure directly to the spine of a human user.

Abstract: A sensor array pad for sensing the pressure distribution under a saddle on the back of a horse includes a membrane made of first and second, identical substantially non-stretchable, flexible membrane portions. The membrane portions have adjacent facing edges that are joined at two spaced-apart tabs. A plurality of sensors are distributed substantially uniformly on the membrane, with each sensor occupying a predetermined surface area. Conductors are mounted on the membrane to extend between the sensors and a position along the perimeter of the associated membrane portion to provide for external connection with monitoring equipment. The membrane portions further each have a pair of slits extending from a mid-region spaced from the respective facing edge outwardly in diverging directions along lines passing outside the predetermined areas of the membrane occupied by the sensors.

Abstract: A seat back or seat bottom cushion incorporates one or more inflatable/deflatable air chamber bladders. The cushions are integrally formed with the bladders by suspending the bladders in a clam shell type mold and then injecting chemicals in the mold to form a urethane foam or the like. The cushion resulting from the molds may include the outer upholstery covering as part of the molded assembly. Each bladder molded into the cushion has a port that permits passage of air into or out of the bladder.

Abstract: A multiple inflatable/deflatable seat cushion bladder system has bladders arranged to receive pressurized air from one source without having fluid communication between the separate bladders when they are deflated or when an external load increases the pressure in one of the bladders. Input tubes are connected to the bladders and an inflation valve is connected to the input tubes for permitting fluid flow into the bladders while preventing fluid flow out of each of the bladders. An output tube is connected to the each bladder, and a deflation valve is connected to the output tubes for permitting fluid flow out of each bladder while preventing cross flow between the bladders. A switch assembly connected to the inflation valve and to the deflation valve allows the pressure in the bladders to remain constant or to be selectively increased or decreased.

Abstract: The invention concerns the combination of electric motor, diaphragm air pump, valving and switches in a compact form to provide a low pressure air supply and control system for use in inflating and/or deflating air chambers in seats. The air chambers may be so placed as to provide support to areas of the back of an occupant, support to the occupant's thighs, either singly or both at the same inflation/deflation and/or movement of the side bolsters of the seat. Additionally, it may be used to inflate/deflate the seat bottom.