Adaptive pneumatic sitting and reclining cushion for vehicles and aircraft
The inventive sitting and reclining cushion is divided into a seat cushion and a back cushion, which are configured in an essentially identical manner. A sleeve (4) consisting of a textile material with low elasticity contains a plurality of tubular pockets (5) consisting of an identical material and joined longitudinally to said sleeve by means of seams (6). Each pocket (5) is likewise connected to its neighbour or neighbours by means of seams (6). Each pocket (5) contains a pouch (7), which consists of an elastic plastic and comprises a valve (8), and can be filled with compressed air. As a result, the pockets (5) modify their shape, thus tensioning the sleeve (4) and forming the actual sitting or reclining surface. The optimised shape of the cushion structure can be adapted to individual requirements for comfort by means of different air pressures in the pouches (7).
The present invention relates to an adaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion for vehicles and aeroplanes, according to the precharacterising part of claim 1. Pneumatic seat cushions and backrest cushions are known per se. As a rule they comprise a multitude of air tubes, arranged side by side, which can be aerated and de-aerated by way of a common valve, with the design and construction of such pneumatic seat cushions and backrest cushions being similar to that of known air mattresses. Certain adaptation options consist of having different air pressure settings in individual tubes, as a result of which the shape and softness can be varied to a limited extent. For practical application, such cushions are provided with a textile cover. However, the basic structure of the tubes remains visible and—an essential factor in a cushion—can also be felt.
It is the object of the present invention to create a seat cushion and backrest cushion that is adaptive within a wide range; meets very high requirements in relation to seating comfort; can achieve noticeable weight savings when compared to conventional foam cushions; and during whose manufacture existing seat shell constructions can easily be taken into account.
The object is met by the essential characteristics set out in claim 1, and by further advantageous characteristics set out in the other claims. The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawing.
The following are shown:
In principle, the design shown in
In
The above explanations relating to the seat cushion of course equally apply to the backrest cushion 2. The dimensions of the pockets 5, their number and the air pressures to be applied can easily be adapted to the particular requirements to be met so that optimum seat comfort can be achieved. Since seat comfort depends on the body dimensions of the seated person, each pouch 7 inserted in a pocket 5 can individually be filled with compressed air. In this way the basic design, which has been anatomically optimised, can in addition be personally optimised.
The fact that form and behaviour of seat cushion 1 and backrest cushion 2 are primarily defined by the tensioned shell 4, and the pockets 5 with pouches 7 primarily serve to tension and form the shell is decisive and in accordance with the invention.
Attaching the seat cushion 1 and the backrest cushion 2 in a given seat structure or seat shell preferably takes place by two or more adherence-type closure strips which can also be attached to the shell 4 by sewing, and to the seat structure by way of adhesion. Other ways of attachment, such as for example by clamps or buttons, also fall within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. An adaptive pneumatic seat cushion (1) and backrest cushion (2) for vehicles and aeroplanes, characterised in that
- it comprises a seat cushion (1) and a backrest cushion (2) which can be connected;
- both the seat cushion (1) and the backrest cushion (2) comprise the following characteristics:
- a plurality of tubular pockets (5), arranged side by side, consisting of a textile material of low elasticity, of which pockets (5) each is connected to the adjacent pockets by means of seams (6);
- each pocket (5) comprises a pouch (7) which consists of an elastic plastic material with a valve (8), which pocket can be filled with compressed air;
- the totality of the pockets (5) are enclosed by a shell (4) made of a textile material of low elasticity, wherein said pockets (5) are sewn to the shell (4) along further seams (6), such that the shell (4) when the pouches (7) are filled with compressed air is tensioned and thus forms the actual seat or backrest surface.
2. The pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 1, characterised in that the pockets (5) in the seat cushion (1) are arranged parallel to the direction of the seat, while in the backrest cushion (2) said pockets (5) are arranged in the top-to-bottom direction.
3. The pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 1, characterised in that the pockets (5) both in the seat cushion (1) and in the backrest cushion (2) are arranged across the seat.
4. The pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that all the pockets (5) in the seat cushion (1) on the one hand, and in the backrest cushion (2) on the other hand, are of the same size.
5. The pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the cross dimensions of the pockets (5) are differently selected such that optimum seating comfort can be achieved.
6. The pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 5, characterised in that each pocket (5) can individually be filled with compressed air.
7. The pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the cross dimensions of the pockets (5) vary with their longitudinal dimensions.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2003
Publication Date: Jul 27, 2006
Inventors: Laszio Kerekes (Zurich), Tina Moor (Saint-Blaise)
Application Number: 10/520,029
International Classification: A47C 27/08 (20060101);