Abstract: A porous, breathable pad for use as protective padding by a person to absorb the force of an impact and to protect the user from injury while allowing liquids and air to freely pass through the pad. The pad includes a plurality of discrete, solid beads of inelastic and waterproof, closed-cell foam wherein some outer portions of adjacent beads abut one another and other outer portions of the adjacent beads are spaced from each other to create interstitial spaces. In the preferred embodiments, substantially all of the adjacent beads are fused together at their abutting, outer portions and the interstitial spaces are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the pad.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. In a first set of preferred embodiments, the pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In an alternate embodiment, the outer casing is made of an elastic material that is overfilled preferably to its elastic limit to act in the manner of the preferred embodiments. In a second set of preferred embodiments, the outer casings of the pads are actually filled no more than a simple gravity fill (i.e., 100%) and preferably are underfilled (e.g.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. In a first set of preferred embodiments, the pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In an alternate embodiment, the outer casing is made of an elastic material that is overfilled preferably to its elastic limit to act in the manner of the preferred embodiments. In a second set of preferred embodiments, the outer casings of the pads are actually filled no more than a simple gravity fill (i.e., 100%) and preferably are underfilled (e.g.

Abstract: A support system for use with a wheelchair seat back provides support for the pelvic area of a wheelchair occupant. The support system comprises a base plate mountable to a wheelchair seat back, and a base layer adhered to the based plate. The base plate is dimensioned and configured to substantially span and conform to the wheelchair seat back. A front surface of the base layer comprises a fastening element for mounting additional layers, or pelvis-conforming blocks, to the base layer.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. The outer casing is made of an elastic material that is overfilled to its elastic limit to act in the manner of the preferred embodiments. In a second set of preferred embodiments, the outer casing of the pads are actually filled no more than a simple gravity fill (i.e., 100%) and preferably are under filled (e.g., 90%) to less than a gravity fill. This second set of pads is preferably used in combination with a hard, outer shell. Variations of the basic feature of the first and second sets of pads are also disclosed. The pads of the present invention are lightweight and washable and can be adapted and integrated into a wide variety of items.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. In a first set of preferred embodiments, the pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In use, the porous pads are compressed and rebound to create a pumping effect that circulates air into and out of the pads drawing heat and perspiration from the athlete's body and keeping the athlete cool and dry. If desired, the pad can be secured directly to the athlete's jersey to enhance this pumping effect as well as the dissipation of the force of any impact.

Abstract: Support mechanisms are provided for use with a wheelchair pelvic support system generally having a base plate with opposite support wings and a central base between the support wings. A pelvis support mechanism comprises a notched support pad engageable with the base plate and pelvis-conforming blocks of a pelvic support system. The notched support pads comprise a soft and resiliently compressible material. One or more notches are provided in the compressible material. A fastening element is provided between the compressible material and the base plate of the pelvic support system for attaching the compressible material to the base plate of the pelvic support system.

Abstract: A quick release seat assembly (10) including a seat (11) having a seat cushion (12) and a seat frame (14), and a frame (16), wherein a pair of front seat mounts (18) support the front of seat (11) and a pair of rear seat mounts (20) support the back of seat (11). A pair of overlapping tabs (38, 42) are associated with rear seat mounts (20) and a pair of upstanding locking pins (32) and corresponding coupling mechanisms (50) are associated with front seat mounts (18). Each coupling mechanism (50) includes a releasable latch that engages the upstanding locking pin (32) and holds seat (11) on frame (16). A common pull cord (54) jointly releases the latches in order to allow removal of the seat.

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 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: 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: 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: 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 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 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 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.