Abstract: A seat cushion for a seat in a high performance off-road racing vehicle. The seat cushion includes two foam layers, namely, a top thin foam layer and a bottom thick energy absorbing foam layer that are secured together, where the combination of the layers are capable of absorbing high energy Z-direction forces. In one non-limiting embodiment, the top layer is a methylenediphenyl isocyanate (MDI) polyurethane foam and is 12 mm thick, and the bottom layer is an open-cell energy absorbing urethane foam and is 38 mm thick.

Abstract: A seat back assembly and method of manufacture is provided. The seat back includes a foam cushion layer. A support sub-assembly is formed including a rigid support layer with a plurality of cavities and channels defined on a rear surface for receiving components and a generally smooth front surface. At least one component is retained in one of the cavities and a second component is secured on the front surface of the support layer. A trim material covers the cushion layer and secures the sub-assembly to the seat back.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) includes a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3), in which the seat cushion (2) is given a stiffness distribution in a front-rear direction in such a way that a front part of the seat cushion is provided with a low stiffness region (PSc) which is more flexible than a rear part of the seat cushion being a high stiffness region (PHc).

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame. A cushion assembly includes a plurality of closed base cells disposed on the frame. Each base cell includes a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein. A plurality of trim cells are disposed on the base cells and include a variable volume of fluid disposed therein. The trim cells are in communication with a fluid pump. A coverstock is disposed over the trim cells. The trim cells further define a plurality of apertures configured to communicate air between a climate control system and a seating surface of the coverstock.

Abstract: A cushion for supporting a user relative to a support surface is provided. The cushion has material with sufficient flexibility to deform under a weight of the user and sufficient resilience to return to its original state when the weight is removed. A supporting face contacts the support surface and is characterized by a plurality of points. The supporting face is contoured such that, when the cushion is in an unloaded configuration, a first subset of the plurality of points contact the support surface and a second subset of the plurality of points do not contact the support surface. When a user then sits on the cushion so that it is in a loaded configuration, at least some of the points in the second subset are displaced under the user's weight and contact the support surface. The cushion thus both bends and compresses to distribute the weight of the user.

Abstract: Prosthetic liners, prosthetic sockets and prosthetic suspension sleeves, as well as orthotic components, having enhanced thermally conductivity and/or enhanced heat absorption capabilities. Such components may be used in various combinations to create assemblies and systems that are operative to better transfer heat away from and/or absorb heat produced by residual or intact limbs of a user.

Abstract: A seat on a stool, chair or bench has permanent depressions in the surface of the seat that corresponds in shape to an end view of a human iliac bone. A pair of spaced apart permanent depressions are provided on an axis that passes through and is perpendicular to a centerline from the back edge of the seat. One depression is on one side of the centerline and the other depression is on an opposite side of the centerline. A third permanent depression is on the centerline and spaced apart from the axis that passes through the pair of spaced apart permanent depressions and is closer to the rear edge of the seat than the pair of spaced apart permanent depressions.

Abstract: A seat for use in a passenger vehicle, e.g. for prisoner transport, comprises a molded piece having at least one first contact zone at a periphery of the molded piece and at least second contact zone located inward of the periphery of molded piece. The second contact zone may comprise a multi-surface formation that is configured to engage a multi-surface formation of a vehicle body. The molded piece may comprise one or more recesses designed to accommodate the body of a passenger. The at least one second contact zone may be disposed in an area of the seat that receives the buttocks of a passenger, thereby providing additional support in a load bearing area of the seat.

Abstract: A seat on a stool, chair or bench has permanent depressions in the surface of the seat that corresponds in shape to an end view of a human iliac bone. A pair of spaced apart permanent depressions are provided on an axis that passes through and is perpendicular to a centerline from the back edge of the seat. One depression is on one side of the centerline and the other depression is on an opposite side of the centerline. A third permanent depression is on the centerline and spaced apart from the axis that passes through the pair of spaced apart permanent depressions and is closer to the rear edge of the seat than the pair of spaced apart permanent depressions.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. A channel attachment is connected with one or more pelvic crest portions. The channel attachment portion connects over a concave recessed portion. The central portion has plural regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has plural regions of varying flexibility.

Abstract: A seat on a stool, chair or bench has a permanent depression in the surface of the seat that corresponds in shape to an end view of a human iliac bone. This shape has concave curved central channel which has a first end and a second end. There is a first concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the first end of the concave curved central channel and a second concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the second end of the concave curved central channel. A chair, stool or bench whose seat has such a permanent depression is more comfortable to the person sitting on that seat than hard seats on seating devices known in the art.

Abstract: A method of mathematically defining seat surface contours from quantitative definitions of relevant back, buttock and under-thigh surfaces of a sample of individuals, the method including adjusting a mathematical summary of the surfaces of the sample of individuals by means of a mathematical function of a summary statistic of the surfaces of the sample of individuals.

Abstract: A ramp for a ride-on toy includes a base adapted to be positioned on a surface. The base has a top, sidewalls and an interior space. An end ramp section is also adapted to be positioned on the surface. A middle ramp section is removably connected between the base and the end ramp section. The end ramp section and the middle ramp section are sized to be removably positioned within the interior space of the base for storage. The ramp sections include a track formed on their top surfaces sized for miniature toy vehicles. The base features a roller wheel and a handle for pulling the base along the surface when the ramp sections and ride-on toy are stored in the base.

Abstract: An upholstered seat with flexible pelvic support having a seat bottom with a seat pan, upholstery, and resiliently deflectable pelvic support structures retained at least partially within the central area of the seat pan. Plural resiliently deflectable fingers can project to within a left portion of the central area and plural resiliently deflectable fingers can project to within a right portion of the central area. The resiliently deflectable fingers can have different deflection resistances to permit hyper-localized control over the resilient support provided. A U-shaped rigidifying member secured to the seat pan establishes rigidified lateral and posterior portions of the seat pan. A resiliently compressible foam structure can have a U-shaped outer portion and a softer inner portion to facilitate a cradling of a seat occupant. A support and positioning member can be retained by a seat back in a fixed angular orientation relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: A chair structure includes a main body and a cushion. When the cushion is disposed on the cushion frame of the main body, the cushion is forwardly inclined to naturally enable the pelvis of the user to incline in the same manner and enable the lumbar vertebra to naturally curve, so that the ischium of the user's hips would sustain most upper body weight of the user instead of the pelvis. Also, it reduces the pressure between the thigh of the user and the front edge of the chair, so the user can sit on the chair for a longer period of time while the spine can naturally maintain an S shape to reduce physical/physiological uncomfortableness caused by improper sitting manner.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. The central portion has regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has regions of varying flexibility. The bowl portion applies an upwardly and inwardly compressive force when the lower pelvic area is disposed in the bowl portion, and rotates on a supporting surface between a first position when the lower pelvic area is not disposed in the bowl portion, and a second position, rotationally forward of the first position, when the lower pelvic area is disposed in the bowl portion, to thereby cause a forward rotational tilting of the lower pelvic area into a forward lordotic position after the lower pelvic area is placed in the bowl portion.

Abstract: An ergonomic pedestal seat that interacts with the sitter's musculoskeletal system in a way that optimizes their use of gravitational forces is provided. This seat orients a sitter toward an alignment that encourages a balance between gravity's descending force and its ascending counterforce, the ground reaction force. The seat comprises a four-tier seat base, a non-vertical central supporting column and a contoured seat pan. The base has a surface that allows the sitter to sustain a stable alignment and to rock forward or sideward or both, as well as a Lazy Susan mechanism that permits turning. This seat supports the sitter through a range of seated activities, including quiet activities such as meditation and complex tasks requiring reaching, bending and turning. When on this seat sitting becomes a source of pleasure rather than an activity of drudgery.

Abstract: A seat member for use with a child's scooter vehicle for preventing the unintended flipping over of the scooter. The seat member having a body portion having opposing top and bottom surfaces and front and back surfaces. The seat member includes a generally planar seat surface on the top surface of the body portion and a projection member provided on the top back surface of the body portion. At least a portion of the projection member extends into the generally planar seat surface configured to prevent a user from leaning too far backwards on the seat member thus preventing the unintended flipping over of the scooter.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is such that a seating surface is formed by a plurality of pad block portions, each of which has a convex shape due to a pleat structure, that are fit together, with a sectional shape in a width direction of the seating surface being a concave shape. Even at a location of the seating surface formed in the concave shape that is affected by a difference in body shape of a seated person, a shape of the location is formed in a shape following the body shape of the seated person.

Abstract: A laminate comprising at least one substantially continuous layer of non-uniform thickness and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. In one embodiment, a veneer sheet is placed on top of a one-sided sanding mold having a contoured upper surface and passed through a thickness sander until the desired thickness of the pattern on the veneer is achieved. Each veneer layer of the laminate may be shaped in this manner. A plurality of contoured veneers are then laminated using methods known in the art, the result of which is a strong laminate that is composed of substantially continuous veneers of non-uniform thickness.

Abstract: A seat on a stool, chair or bench has a permanent depression in the surface of the seat that corresponds in shape to an end view of a human iliac bone. This shape has concave curved central channel which has a first end and a second end. There is a first concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the first end of the concave curved central channel and a second concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the second end of the concave curved central channel. A chair, stool or bench whose seat has such a permanent depression is more comfortable to the person sitting on that seat than hard seats on seating devices known in the art.

Abstract: A seat cushion includes a hard baseboard, a gel, a foam and an enclosure portion. The hard baseboard has an upper surface. A convex portion is formed on the front part near the central part of the upper surface. A concave portion is formed on each side of the convex portion. An upwardly extending portion is formed on each of the two corners of the rear part of the upper surface, and an indent part of the rear part of the hard baseboard is formed between the two upwardly extending portions, so that the hard baseboard mimics the shape of a user's hip and thighs in sitting position. The gel and the foam may be disposed in various configurations on the baseboard.

Abstract: A tray system comprises a tray comprising a bottom portion and sides forming a volume in which junctures of the sides and the bottom portion are rounded to comprise convex exterior surfaces. The tray further comprises two loop members disposed on opposing ends of the tray. A connecting member is configured to removably join to a one of the loop members. A lead device is configured to removably join to the connecting member. The lead device is operable for transferring a motive force to the tray to transport the tray over an uneven terrain comprising obstacles in which the convex surfaces enable the tray to maneuver around or traverse the obstacles.

Abstract: A body support structure includes a molded polymeric support grid having a three-dimensional molded contour. The support grid includes a body support region having a plurality of through openings separated by a plurality of lands. In one embodiment, an area of the openings is greater than an area of the lands. In another embodiment, the ratio of a surface area of the lands relative to an area defined by an outer peripheral edge is less than or equal to 0.74. A fabric layer is bonded to the plurality of lands and covers the plurality of openings. Methods of manufacturing and recycling the body structure are also provided.

Abstract: A folding or stacking chair has a seat and a backrest carried between opposite frame sides each with a backrest support, a front leg and a rear leg. One or both of the seat and the backrest has a continuous sheet of flexible and elastic knitted mesh or patterned open texture plastic held across and substantially covering an opening in an open-end hoop coupled between the frame sides. An open-end of the hoop faces in a front or a back orientation for the seat, or a top or a bottom orientation for the backrest, with sides of the hoop attached to the frame sides. The sheet of mesh or textured plastic has a finished edge spanning the open-end of the hoop.

Abstract: A chair comprises a seat and a seat back made of non-resilient materials.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pad that is made of resin foam, and that forms a seat cushion or a seatback. The pad has a layered structure formed of a surface layer pad that forms a seating surface-side portion of the pad and a back layer pad that is provided on the back side of the surface layer pad. The back layer pad is higher in hardness and lower in density than the surface layer pad.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seat back. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. At least one wire frame section is secured to the first foam member and extends rearwardly therefrom toward a rear of the seat base for mounting the seat base to an associated vehicle body.

Abstract: A seat device has a bottom board and a top board mounted on the bottom board. The top board has two recesses defined thereon and adapted to partially hold the hip so that the seat device provides comforting and correcting efficiency.

Abstract: Seat cushions that prevent a seated handicapped individual from sliding forward on the seat, while preventing the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The seat a seat cushion includes a resilient body having a generally rectangular-cuboid-shape. The resilient body includes a frontal portion having a front end and a rear end, and which is fabricated from materials having a first density, and a rear portion having a front end and a rear end, and is fabricated from materials having a second density. The first density is substantially higher than the second density. Preferably, the resilient body is fabricated out of a sturdy foam material. Preferably, the seat cushion further includes a protective cover wrapping the resilient body.

Abstract: A vehicular seat has a pad including a foamed elastic material and a skin member covering a surface of the pad. A groove is formed at the surface of the pad, and the groove is inclined to a line orthogonal to the surface of the pad.

Abstract: A device for retaining a person's seated position is provided as seats for vehicles, for example. The device has a seat member and an upper body support member. The seat member has a seat surface on which a person is seated. The seat surface has a pair of reference ridges each of which is fit to a recess between a biceps femoris muscle and a semimembranosus muscle of each of thighs of the person. The upper body support member has an upper body support surface that supports an upper body back of the person. Various types of ridges are provided on the upper body support surfaces for stabilizing the upper body of the person seated on the seat.

Abstract: A device for retaining a person' seated position is provided as seats for vehicles, for example. The device has a seat member and an upper body support member. The seat member a seat surface on which a person is seated. The upper body support member has an upper body support surface that supports an upper body back of the person. The upper body support surface has a pair of support projections for ilia, which are fit to a pair of ilium projections of the person, the ilium projections being projected rearward when the person is seated on the seat surface of the seat member. The seat surface has a pair of accommodating recesses for ischiums, which accommodates therein a pair of ischium projected portions of the person, the ischium projected portions being projected downward.

Abstract: Seat pads of the present invention are sewn by hollow weave, and includes skins having single sheets of woven cloth integrally continuously having single layer portions and laminated layers portions in a shape of a hollow bag, and cushioning members enclosed at inner portions of the laminated layers portions and having a shape the same as that of the laminated layers portion and having an elasticity, the laminated layers portions are formed at portions of the single sheets of woven cloth intended to support the physical body of a seated person, the cushioning members are provided with predetermined thicknesses, the laminated layers portion are formed with recesses and projections of the same shape projected by a predetermined amount from head and tail faces of the single layer portions, and attachably and detachably mounted to a seating face of a seat, a recessed portion constituting a shape the same as that of the laminated layers portion is formed at a position of the seating face of the seat facing the lam

Abstract: A seat member for use with a child's scooter vehicle for preventing the unintended flipping over of the scooter. The seat member having a body portion having opposing top and bottom surfaces and front and back surfaces. The seat member includes a generally planar seat surface on the top surface of the body portion and a projection member provided on the top back surface of the body portion. At least a portion of the projection member extends into the generally planar seat surface configured to prevent a user from leaning too far backwards on the seat member thus preventing the unintended flipping over of the scooter.

Abstract: A driver's seat of a work vehicle comprising a seatback section, and a seating section including a receiving surface portion formed in an intermediate portion of the seating section for receiving buttocks of the operator, and a recessed groove formed along a side frame portion at a boundary between the side frame portion and the receiving surface portion to open at an extension distal end of the seating section. The recessed groove has a bottom surface inclined downwardly from a back end of the seatback section to the extension distal end of the seating section.

Abstract: A folding mesh chair includes a seat and a backrest carried between opposite frame sides. The chair has an unfolded seating position in which the seat pivots to extend from the frame sides and bottoms of front and rear legs move apart, and a folded position in which the seat pivots toward the frame sides and the front and rear legs move together. One or both of the seat and the backrest have a continuous sheet of flexible and elastic mesh or patterned open texture plastic held across and substantially covering an opening in an all-plastic hoop fixed between the frame sides.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a cushion composite attachable to a vehicle. The cushion composite has a structural layer of an expanded polymer and a cushion layer adjacent the structural layer. A trim material covers the cushion composite. The structural layer is proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. A surface of the structural layer defines a cavity extending into the structural layer. An opening of the cavity is disposed proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. The cavity is configured to facilitate flexure of the structural layer when a force is applied to the structural layer.

Abstract: An item of seating furniture contains a seat providing a seat surface, a generally circular foot panel positioning the item of seating furniture on a floor, and a central part, which connects the seat to the foot panel and of which a vertical center axis runs centrally through the foot panel. The foot panel is of at least partially convex configuration and that side of the foot panel which is directed toward the floor is configured, at least in part, as a non-slip surface. This creates an ergonomic item of seating furniture which stands in a stable state.

Abstract: An air insert is designed for a proper fit into a cushion pelvic loading area that has sloped walls for positioning and properly supporting the human pelvis. The air insert may be segmented, or pre-contoured by the manufacturer, so as to be designed for a proper fit into the PLA. The seat cushion and the insert will provide comfort and support to the users.

Abstract: An ergonomic pedestal seat that interacts with the sitter's musculoskeletal system in a way that optimizes their use of gravitational forces is provided. This seat orients a sitter toward an alignment that encourages a balance between gravity's descending force and its ascending counterforce, the ground reaction force. The seat comprises a four-tier seat base, a non-vertical central supporting column and a contoured seat pan. The base has a surface that allows the sitter to sustain a stable alignment and to rock forward or sideward or both, as well as a Lazy Susan mechanism that permits turning. This seat supports the sitter through a range of seated activities, including quiet activities such as meditation and complex tasks requiring reaching, bending and turning. When on this seat sitting becomes a source of pleasure rather than an activity of drudgery.

Abstract: An automotive seat cushion with a drain device may include a seat cushion including a cushion pad which is disposed inside the seat cushion and a covering which is disposed outside the cushion pad and is connected to the cushion pad by a hog ring, a passenger classification sensor which is disposed between the cushion pad and the covering and detects whether a seat is occupied by an occupant or not, a drain hole which is formed by vertically penetrating the seat cushion, and a drain hole guide member which is inserted into the drain hole and engaged thereto to maintain a shape of the drain hole.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of furniture by affixing a plurality of rods of similar length forming a frame comprising a plurality of tetrahedra and pentahedra with the frame having at least one planar surface for attachment thereto of a covering.

Abstract: A seating construction includes a perimeter frame defining an open area, and a one-piece molded seating component supported on the frame. The seating component includes a plurality of integrally-formed flexible slats defining a support surface over the open area. Resilient wires are coupled to the slats to resiliently support the slats when flexed. The component can be handled as a unit for assembly, and is retained by connecting rods that extend along the side section of the frame, with the slats each rotatably engaging mating bearing structure on the frame. A flex-limiting member in a center of the frame limits the resilient supports to a maximum deflected condition. Tabs on the molded component interconnect the slats and permit one-piece molding, but are either flexible or breakable to permit independent flexing of the slats. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seating system for wheelchairs and other applications. The seating system incorporates contours in the substantially flexible seat sling to improve the pressure distribution of the seated user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a seat cushion assembly is provided that includes a base cushion and a plurality of inserts. A recess is defined within the base cushion which is adapted to house the inserts. Each of the inserts can be selectively removed from the recess to provide for obliquity adjustment of the cushion assembly. In addition, the inserts may be selectively located on one side of the base cushion or the other to further adjust the inclined orientation of the base cushion. According to another embodiment, a seat cushion assembly is provided that includes a base cushion and a pair of inserts. A recess is defined within the base cushion which is adapted to house the inserts that includes a projection that has a plurality of surfaces that abut a surface of each of the inserts when the inserts are housed within the recess.

Abstract: A flexible base board for a chair, easily bends into a desirable shape. The base board fits more appropriately to the body of the person seated on the chair following the shape of the person's body without pressing the back, etc., thereby providing the person with good sitting comfort. The flexible base board is used for the backrest, etc. of a chair. The base board has an upper shell (4), an intermediate shell (5), and a lower shell (6). A large number of holes (14) having substantially the same size are substantially uniformly formed in the entire shell (6). Also, a large number of holes (15) are formed in the entire surface of the intermediate shell (5), and each hole (15) has a greater transverse width than a hole (14) in the upper shell (4) and the lower shell (6).

Abstract: An improved seat pad and integrated gripping member is provided, which prevents the pad from slipping when placed between a seating surface and individual. The gripping member is permanently attached to the seat pad along its edge and covers a portion of either side of the seating surface. The gripping member is reversible therefore either side of the seat pad may be selectively exposed during use. This allows both seat pad sides to be constructed of different materials, colors, or patterns and be interchangeable when desired by the user.

Abstract: A seat, especially an airplane or vehicle seat, has a seat part placed on the stand-type seat structure (12) in relation to a base and provided with a bearing part (18) on its front side. The bearing part (18) is embodied in a flexible manner and can move in the direction of the seat structure (12) when a predefined seating load is exerted on it. When the load is discharged, it can move back into its initial position in the opposite direction from the seat structure (12). This arrangement creates a seat whose front part is maintained in a flexible manner such that the front area of the seat part yields according to the seating load exerted by the seat user. The pressure forces are limited to the lower side of the upper thighs of the seat user. As a result, the cross-sections of the veins in that region are not reduced, but are maintained such that the circulation of the blood is not impeded, significantly reducing the risk of thrombosis.

Abstract: A seat cushion for use with a seat, chair, or bench. The cushion is provided with a strategically located recessed region, to provide spinal decompression for the user. The recessed region is located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of the cushion. The recessed region is further contained entirely within the periphery of the cushion, so that the portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. The depth of the recessed region is sufficient to allow spinal decompression, but it need not extend entirely through the thickness of the cushion. A number of configurations for the cutout, and applications for the seat cushion, are disclosed. Also disclosed are chair, bench, and seat constructions incorporating the seat cushion and providing its spinal decompression feature.