Abstract: A seat assembly (21) for a wheelchair including a relatively rigid seat base (12) of substantially uniform thickness with an upwardly facing contoured top surface (14) and a cushion assembly mounted on the seat base. The cushion assembly includes a relatively soft foam member (30) substantially covering the seat base (12) for localized deformation of the foam member and for communication of the influence of contours on the seat base (12) through the foam member (30) to the user. In the preferred form, a flexible pouch (40) having a viscous fluid-like material contained therein is positioned in a recess (38) in the foam member (30) in the area of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx, and a water-impervious, flexible elastomeric envelope (50) completely surrounds the foam member (30) and the fluid-containing pouch (40).

Abstract: A chest harness (10) includes a right harness piece (12) and a left harness piece (14). Right harness piece (12) includes an elongated right shoulder extension (16) and a lower torso portion (18). A narrow flap (20) is secured to the inside edge (22) of torso portion (18). On the inside face of flap (20) is secured a set of VELCRO type hooks (25) that cooperate with corresponding loops (27) on left harness piece (14). A first half (24) of a zipper (26) is secured to inside edge (22). Zipper (26) includes a handle (28), which is carried by zipper half (24). A draw cord or loop (29) is tied to handle (28). Draw cord (29) is longer than zipper (26), so that the draw cord can extend along the zipper and past the lower end of the zipper. Left harness piece (14) includes an elongated left shoulder extension (38) and a lower torso portion (40). Lower torso portion (40) includes a plastic backing plate (42) that is sufficiently wide to underlie the lower torso portion (18) of right harness piece (12).

Abstract: Seating cushion assembly (10) for use with a wheelchair having a seat base (20). A flexible foam cushion (30) is mounted on base (20) with at least one insert member (40) removably positioned at a support location (33) between the foam cushion (30) and the base (20) to upwardly or outwardly raise a top surface (5) of the foam cushion (30) at the support location (33). The resulting lateral support contour (35) in the top surface (5) of the cushion assembly provides user stability and pressure distribution while seated on the seating assembly (10) and yet the user can selectively eliminate or remove the contours (35) by removing the contour-forming inserts (40). The foam cushion (30) further has sufficient thickness and resiliency to permit the user to temporarily sit directly over the contour-forming insert member (40) during use of the cushion assembly (10), which enables safe use of the entire area of the wheelchair cushion assembly (10).

Abstract: An anti-thrust seating system and low profile, adjustable back system primarily intended for use in a wheelchair. The anti-thrust seating system includes a base seating member with a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section to support the user's buttocks including the ischial tuberosities. The upper surfaces of the forward and rearward sections meet to form an edge extending across the base seating member. The upper surface of the rearward section has two portions which form a first step face or anti-thrust barrier to the user's ischial tuberosities. The seating system further includes at least one separate step means that can be removably positioned adjacent and rearwardly of the first step face wherein the separate step means has a second step face. The separate step means also has an upper surface which serves to effectively extend the thigh supporting surface or shell rearwardly.

Abstract: An anti-thrust seating system and low profile, adjustable back system primarily intended for use in a wheelchair. The anti-thrust seating system includes a base seating member with a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section to support the user's buttocks including the ischial tuberosities. The upper surfaces of the forward and rearward sections meet to form an edge extending across the base seating member. The upper surface of the rearward section has two portions which form a first step face or anti-thrust barrier to the user's ischial tuberosities. The seating system further includes at least one separate step means that can be removably positioned adjacent and rearwardly of the first step face wherein the separate step means has a second step face. The separate step means also has an upper surface which serves to effectively extend the thigh supporting surface or shelf rearwardly.

Abstract: An adjustable back system for releasable attachment to spaced-apart substantially vertical wheelchair frame posts (52). The back system includes a relatively rigid shell back (36) formed to extend transversely between the posts (52) for support of a user's back, a plurality of post-engaging assemblies (50) coupled to shell back (36) by a plurality of independently adjustable coupling assemblies. The post-engaging assemblies (50) including an upper pair of post-engaging assemblies extending transversely from opposite sides of shell back (36) and a lower pair post-engaging assemblies extending transversely from opposite sides of shell back (36) below upper post-engaging assemblies.

Abstract: A seating system primarily intended for use in wheelchairs and similar applications for reducing the development of decubitus ulcers. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a pressure relieving fluid pad. The tray has a thigh supporting shelf and a depressed seating well. The fluid pad preferably has a plurality of fluid pouches positionable over the thigh supporting shelf of the tray and an array of rearward pouches positionable over the depressed seating well. The rearward pouches in the seating well are wedge shaped and taper downwardly in vertical thickness from one end portion to the other. Each rearward pouch has its thicker end portion overlying a central part of the seating well and its thinner end portion positioned over the upwardly inclined, outer rim section of the seating well.

Abstract: A wheelchair back assembly suitable for detachable mounting to the back-supporting posts of a wheelchair. The back assembly includes a relatively rigid shell member carrying post-engaging hooks and a plurality of mounting units formed to be mounted on the wheelchair posts. The mounting units are further formed to slidably receive and automatically releasably lock a pair of the post-engaging hooks on the shell member to the posts against unintentional removal of the back assembly from the wheelchair during normal use of the wheelchair. The mounting units are also formed for single-handed automatic unlocking and release of the pair of hooks from the mounting units and posts upon rotation of the shell member forwardly over the wheelchair seat by an amount in excess of any displacement occurring during normal use of the wheelchair.

Abstract: An anti-thrust seating system and low profile, adjustable back system primarily intended for use in a wheelchair. The anti-thrust seating system includes a base seating member with a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section to support the user's buttocks including the ischial tuberosities. The upper surfaces of the forward and rearward sections meet to form an edge extending across the base seating member. The upper surface of the rearward section has two portions which form a first step face or anti-thrust barrier to the user's ischial tuberosities. The seating system further includes at least one separate step means that can be removably positioned adjacent and rearwardly of the first step face wherein the separate step means has a second step face. The separate step means also has an upper surface which serves to effectively extend the thigh supporting surface or shelf rearwardly.

Abstract: A seating system primarily intended for use in wheelchairs and similar applications for reducing the development of decubitus ulcers. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a pressure relieving fluid pad. The tray has a thigh supporting shelf and a depressed seating well. The fluid pad preferably has a plurality of fluid pouches positionable over the thigh supporting shelf of the tray and an array of rearward pouches positionable over the depressed seating well. The rearward pouches in the seating well are wedge shaped and taper downwardly in vertical thickness from one end portion to the other. Each rearward pouch has its thicker end portion overlying a central part of the seating well and its thinner end portion positioned over the upwardly inclined, outer rim section of the seating well.

Abstract: A method for assembling a seating system by providing a base member and pad filled with fluid. The pad has a front, rear, and sides with the sides flaring outwardly of each other and of a center axis. The pad further includes an arcuate, transverse seal extending substantially from side to side across the pad and opening to face toward the front of the pad. In the method, the pad is gathered into pleats by bringing the sides toward each other until the arcuate seal assumes a substantially straight line and then positioned in its gathered state over the base member.

Abstract: A seating system for wheelchairs and other applications. The seating system includes a base member with an upper surface and a fluid pad positioned on the upper surface. The upper surface is preferably contoured and dimensioned to have areas corresponding to the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx as well as the user's femurs including trochanters. The fluid pad in the preferred embodiment is one piece and has at least three separate and distinct pouches filled with fluid. Each pouch includes seals to contain the fluid in each pouch and to isolate and prevent fluid communication with the fluid in the other two pouches. Each pouch of the pad is then respectively positioned on the upper surface of the base member under the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx. In this manner, each of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx is thereby supported on its own separate and distinct fluid pouch.

Abstract: A seating system primarily intended for use with wheelchairs. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a fluid pad. The tray has a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section with a depressed, contoured seating well to support the user's buttocks including his ischial tuberosities. The seating well includes a bottom portion and a U-shaped rim portion extending about it. The fluid pad contains a fixed volume of incompressible fluid and is provided and dimensioned to be bunched up and received in the seating well of the tray. The seating system also includes a self-adjusting feature to automatically and properly fit a user based on his weight. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiments by adding a layer of resilient, compressible foam over the upper surface of the rim portion of the seating well between the fluid pad and the rim portion. The foam is dimensioned and chosen to selectively occupy varying amounts of the volume of the seating well (i.e.

Abstract: A seating system for a wheelchair including a base member and fluid pad. The base member has forward and rearward sections respectively supporting the user's thighs and buttocks. The rearward section supporting the user's buttocks includes a depressed, seating well with front and rear upper surfaces. The fluid pad has a front-to-rear, center seal and a transverse seal dividing the pad into four pouches. The transverse seal crosses the center seal substantially closer to the rear of the pad than to the front and substantially midway across the seating well. In use, the pad is positioned on the base member wherein the user's thighs and front of the user's buttocks are supported on the forward pouches which, in turn, are positioned over the forward section of the base member and the front portion of the seating well of the base member. The remaining, rear portion of the user's buttocks is supported on the rear pouches over the rear portion of the base member.

Abstract: Pressure-compensating pads such as seats or cushions used in wheelchairs, can be filled with a flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising a major portion of silicone fluid, a minor portion of amide thickener which is essentially insoluble in said silicone fluid and microballoons. The resulting compositions are particularly characterized by their ability to flow in response to a continuously applied pressure, yet to maintain their shape and position in the absence of applied pressure, and are further characterized by stable viscosity at temperatures generally associated with the presence of the human body and excellent fire retardant properties. The composition may also contain flame-retardant.

Abstract: An anti-thrust seating system and low profile, adjustable back system primarily intended for use in a wheelchair. The anti-thrust seating system includes a base seating member with a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section to support the user's buttocks including the ischial tuberosities. The upper surfaces of the forward and rearward sections meet to form an edge extending across the base seating member. The upper surface of the rearward section has two portions which form a first step face or anti-thrust barrier to the user's ischial tuberosities. The seating system further includes at least one separate step means that can be removably positioned adjacent and rearwardly of the first step face wherein the separate step means has a second step face. The separate step means also has an upper surface which serves to effectively extend the thigh supporting surface or shelf rearwardly.

Abstract: An adjustable cover and seating system for a wheelchair. The cover has a first or enclosing portion surrounding the inner seat members and a second or skirt portion extending about the sides of the first or enclosure portion and downwardly under the lower section of the enclosure portion. The first or enclosure portion of the cover can be placed over the seating members and secured in place by a zipper to encase the seating member. The skirt section can then be pulled to draw the skirt section downwardly which, in turn, draws the upper section of the enclosure portion snugly across the top of the seating members. In doing so, the peripheral side section of the enclosure portion is also drawn downwardly on itself into gathers or bunches which are held firmly in place against the seating members by the skirt section. This serves to present a neat outer appearance to the user and to prevent excess material from catching in the spokes of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers.

Abstract: A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers.

Abstract: A wheelchair back system provides height adjustability of the back for the user, a lumbar support and bolsters for the back, as well as adjustment of the tilt of the back. The back system is removably affixed to the wheelchair by a pair of vertical channels adapted to partially encircle the vertical wheelchair posts, brackets affixed to the wheelchair posts, and straps which engage the brackets. A twist lock may be used to secure the straps in the brackets.