Different Densities Of Foam Patents (Class 297/452.27)
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Patent number: 8087726Abstract: A back cushion includes an enclosure portion, a buffer portion, a filler portion and a fixing portion. The enclosure portion has a first surface/layer and a second surface/layer. The buffer portion and the filler portion are placed in the internal space of the enclosure portion. The buffer portion is in contact with the first layer and the rear surface of the filler portion is in contact with the second layer. The fixing portion is connected with the second layer of the enclosure portion. The fixing portion enables the back cushion to be attached to a suitable place of a chair or a supporting member. The buffer portion allows the back of a user can be comfortably cushioned and supported and hence injuries to his back may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Formosa Sounding Corp.Inventor: Fu-Chieng Chen
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Patent number: 7980633Abstract: A seat for a vehicle and a seat for a watercraft include a polyurethane-made first cushion body covered with a seat skin. A thermoplastic elastomer-made second cushion body is disposed between the first cushion body and a bottom plate 43. The relationships of t1<t2, 5 mm?t1?30 mm, and 20 mm?t2?50 mm are established, where t1 is the material thickness of the first cushion body, and t2 is the material thickness of the second cushion body. The resulting configuration provides a seat for a vehicle and a seat for watercraft which are capable of securing a good ride comfort.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsue Koyano, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Takeshi Ohara, Takashi Sunaga
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Patent number: 7934774Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle seat assembly comprising a cushion having an “A” surface and a “B” surface, a central portion, and two bolster areas, with each bolster area being adjacent the central portion, with the cushion having a hardness gradient between at least one of the bolster areas and the central portion of between 8% to 25%.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali
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Patent number: 7918510Abstract: A wheelchair sit-system with a three dimensional anatomical shape, which can accomplish an equal as well as an unequal pressure/load distribution, stabilize the pelvic base and trunk, compensate sit pathology, and be individually adapted on the basis of treatment of specific sit complaints/impairments. The wheelchair sit system (i.e., a sit cushion and a backrest) is developed methodically via inventory of the three dimensional pelvis/trunk measures; design a three dimensional drawing of basic sit cushions and backrest models in three sizes (S, M and L); specification of the sit pathology of the pelvis and trunk; and modification of the designed three dimensional basic sit cushion and backrest models on the basis of sit pathology. A product development trajectory results in nine sit cushion models in three sizes (S, M and L); six backrest models in three sizes (S, M and L); one generic sit cushion, with inserts, in three sizes (S, M and L); and one generic backrest, with inserts, in three sizes (S, M and L).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Inventors: Johanna Hendrika van den Nieuwboer, Jacob de Vries
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Patent number: 7905552Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly layered vehicle seat assembly and a method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a cushion composite comprising a structural layer and a cushion layer adjacent to the structural layer, and a trim material secured over the cushion composite.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Mark A. Folkert, Scott A. Ziolek, Terry R. O'Bannon
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Patent number: 7827636Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.Inventors: Roland E. Flick, Joel T. Jusiak
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Patent number: 7823234Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.Inventors: Roland E. Flick, Joel T. Jusiak
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Patent number: 7823233Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.Inventors: Roland E. Flick, Joel T. Jusiak
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Patent number: 7802853Abstract: A seat cushion pad for a vehicle and a seat back pad for a vehicle, which produce no discomfort between seat comfort of an under-buttock section and a backrest section and that of the other sections, are provided. A part of or entire seating surface except the under-buttock section of the seat cushion pad is composed of a material Q having a density lower than the density of a material P constituting the under-buttock section. The 25% hardness based on a hardness testing method specified in JASO-B408 of the material Q is smaller than the 25% hardness of the material P. A part of or entire sections except the backrest section of the seat back pad are composed of a material S having a density lower than the density of a material R. The 25% hardness based on a hardness testing method specified in JASO-B408 of the material S is softer than the 25% hardness of the material R.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Kazushige Ebe
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Patent number: 7748787Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle and method of manufacturing the same including a seat foam pad having a headrest portion and a backrest portion. A structural support member is included that is formed of a foam material that is at least partially enclosed by the headrest portion and the backrest portion. The seat system also includes a seat frame having the seat foam pad and the structural support member adjacent thereto, wherein the seat foam pad and the structural support member enable the seat system to meet a predetermined structural requirement.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David K. Williams, Matthew T. Trombley, Michael Walkowski, Michael R. Ferrari
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Patent number: 7730566Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.Inventors: Roland E. Flick, Joel T. Jusiak
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Patent number: 7661764Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprising a cushion having an “A” surface and a “B” surface, a central portion, and two bolster areas. Each bolster area is adjacent the central portion, with the cushion having a plurality of intrusions extending from the “A” surface towards the “B” surface to form a hardness gradient between at least one of the bolster areas and the central portion of between 8% to 25%.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Asad S. Ali, Ashford A. Galbreath
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Patent number: 7614704Abstract: A wheelchair seat cushion has multi-density regions. The cushion assembly may have a region having a stiffer, higher density proximate the front of the seat cushion assembly beneath the user's thighs to assist the user in exiting the wheelchair. Alternatively, or additionally, an insert member having multi-density regions may be received in a recess in a base member. The insert members may be oriented in different orientations to position a softer, less dense region at different locations, to situate the softer, less dense region of the insert beneath a particular user's ischial tuberosities and/or coccyx.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson
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Patent number: 7588296Abstract: A seat cushion pad for a vehicle and a seat back pad for a vehicle producing no discomfort between seat comfort of an under-hip section and a backrest section and that of the other sections. The seat cushion pad for a vehicle, in which a part of or entire seating surface except the under-hip section is composed of a material b having a density lower than the density of a material a, or the seat back pad has any one of features described in the following items (i) to (iii). (i) Load-deflection lines of the material a and the material b are allowed to substantially agree with each other. (ii) Amounts of depression or static spring constants of the material a and the material b by a specific reaction force (for example, 50 N or 100 N) based on a JASO-B408 testing method are allowed to substantially agree with each other. (iii) Reaction forces at a specific amount of deflection of the material a and the material b based on a push-pull gage measuring method are allowed to substantially agree with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Kazushige Ebe
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Patent number: 7585030Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly layered vehicle seat assembly and a method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a cushion composite comprising a structural layer and a cushion layer adjacent to the structural layer, and a trim material secured over the cushion composite.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Mark A. Folkert, Scott A. Ziolek, Terry R. O'Bannon
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Publication number: 20090146472Abstract: A seat cushion for a vehicle seat having attachment members for selectively attaching a child seat thereto includes a first layer having a first hardness and a second layer having a second hardness. The second layer is less hard than the first layer and defines a support surface upon which the child seat sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Terry R. O'Bannon, Asad S. Ali, Scott Ziolek
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Patent number: 7533941Abstract: Seating comfort is improved in a seat pad for vehicles includes a pad main body having a bottom dented upward to form a concave portion and having an insert arranged in the concave portion. The seat pad for vehicles 10 includes a cushion pad. The cushion pad includes a pad main body 20, an insert 30, and a rigid layer 40. The pad main body 20 has a concave portion 24. The insert 30 fits in the concave portion 24. The rigid layer 40 is bonded with the ceiling plane of the concave portion 24. The insert 30 has many protrusions 31 on its top face, and gaps between the protrusions 31 constitute a space 32. The space 32 communicates with a seating plane through holes 27 and communicates with the seating plane of the insert 30 through a through hole 33.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Tomokazu Saitou, Kazushige Ebe
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Patent number: 7530640Abstract: A chair having a base, a seat support mounted on the base, and a seat back support coupled with the seat support. The chair further includes a seat support assembly coupled with the seat support and a back support assembly coupled with the back support. The seat support assembly is a multi layered piece having a base layer, an intermediate layer, a gel pad, a tail pad, and a top layer. Once assembled the seat support assembly has a relief area that corresponds to the tail bone region of the user. The back support assembly is multi layered piece having a base layer, an intermediate layer, a support pad assembly, and a top layer. The ordering of the layers and the orientation of the support pad assembly provide support to the user without any direct or focalized pressure being distributed to specific regions of the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: L & P Property Management CompanyInventors: Joseph Lawrence Walters, Jesse Love, James Arlin Riegsecker
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Patent number: 7445292Abstract: A seat portion (4) for a seat (2), which seat portion (4) comprises at least a first part (8) which is made of a first plastics foam material of a first density, and a second part (10) which is made of a second plastics foam material of a second and different density.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Inventor: Terry Glyn Moule
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Patent number: 7431394Abstract: Slipcovers are provided for covering a variety of seating structures. The slipcovers can include a fabric sheet, multi-layered components, extensions, anchors, relaxation mechanisms, and holders, and can be configured to cover all or a portion of a seating structure. The multi-layered components can be removably secured to the fabric sheet by decouplable fasteners or by friction or interaction with a friction enhancing material, non-removably secured to the fabric sheet by sewing, quilting, tufting, gluing, and/or applying an adhesive or bonding agent, or secured to the fabric sheet by extensions inserted into a crevice. The internal layers of a multi-layered component can also be removable, or a multi-layered component can be configured to allow additional layers to be inserted.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Inventor: Paula S. Neustat
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Patent number: 7377585Abstract: Slipcovers are provided for covering a variety of seating structures. The slipcovers can include a fabric sheet, multi-layered components, extensions, anchors, relaxation mechanisms, and holders, and can be configured to cover all or a portion of a seating structure. The multi-layered components can be removably secured to the fabric sheet by decouplable fasteners or by friction or interaction with a friction enhancing material, non-removably secured to the fabric sheet by sewing, quilting, tufting, gluing, and/or applying an adhesive or bonding agent, or secured to the fabric sheet by extensions inserted into a crevice. The internal layers of a multi-layered component can also be removable, or a multi-layered component can be configured to allow additional layers to be inserted.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: Paula S. Neustat
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Patent number: 7360831Abstract: A motorcycle seat in the form of a tandem seat is assembled from a seat cushion (12), which is produced as a plastic foam molded part, a pad layer (14) of a open pore polyether foam material provided upon the seat surface of the seat cushion (12), a ventilation layer (16) of a spacer fabric provided upon the pad layer (14) and a seat cover (18), which is a breathable and water tight membrane.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Inventors: Herbert Schwarz, Jochen Schanz, Karl Heinz Dorn, Monika Dorn
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Patent number: 7350869Abstract: A chair (1), including a seat (5), wherein the seat (5) includes a barrier zone (10) dividing said seat (5) into a front seat portion (15) and a rear seat portion (20), said rear seat portion (20) being of a material more easily deformed than said barrier zone (10), such that in use, movement of the user's buttocks from said rear seat portion (20) towards said front seat portion (15) urges the rear seat portion (20) towards said barrier zone (10), deforming said rear seat portion (20) and inhibiting said buttocks from moving towards said front seat portion (15).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Inventor: Jennifer Anne Davidson
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Patent number: 7347498Abstract: A solid frame orthotic seating device for use in a sling seat that is supported by solid rails, such as a wheelchair. The solid frame orthotic seating device comprises a solid, rigid, non-collapsing, and durable interior skeletal frame with an elevated anterior wedge sloping down to the top surface of the frame, lateral well support arms, and a posterior well. The frame dimensions are designed to place the user's hips into flexion, position the user's pelvis in a neutral to anterior position, and position the user's buttocks into and or below the posterior well. The anterior wedge supports and distributes the weight of the user's body away from the buttocks. The strength and design of the solid frame uniquely promotes proper positioning, and helps to anchor the user by positioning their buttocks into and or below the posterior well and or below the solid lateral well support frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Inventor: Gerard Clifford
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Patent number: 7334278Abstract: At least two urethane stock solutions capable of forming polyurethane foam segments having different physical characteristics are charged into a mold and foamed under a predetermined molding pressure P to mold a one-piece polyurethane product including at least two molded portions having different physical characteristics. During the foaming step, the amounts of urethane stock solutions charged are determined so that the predetermined molding pressure P is obtained at any molded portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Koichiro Yamasaki
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Patent number: 7293825Abstract: A multi-position chair may be positioned into multiple positions including one or more sitting positions at different heights, one or more leaning positions at different angles, and one or more storage positions. The multi-position chair may include a seat, a back and a support for supporting the seat and the back with respect to the floor. The seat and the back may be pivotable with respect to each other and with respect to the support. The seat includes a seating surface configured to receive the user's buttocks in a sitting position. The back may include a front seating surface configured to receive the user's back in a sitting position and a rear leaning surface configured to receive the user's buttocks in a leaning position.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Advantage Branch & Office Systems, LLCInventors: Alexander Vergara, Harold Turner
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Patent number: 7275793Abstract: A seat includes a seat frame, and a cushion material supported by the seat frame and having a three-dimensional knitted fabric which is formed by joining, with connecting threads, a pair of ground knit fabrics which are disposed so as to be separated from one another. The cushion material includes a first region whose elastic compliance when a reaction force is applied to an extending side of the cushion material when an occupant is seated on the seat is substantially equivalent to an elastic compliance of a portion of the occupant's body pressing the cushion material and a second region whose elastic compliance is larger than that of the first region. Accordingly, a thin and light seat can be provided, load concentration on the occupant's tuber ishiadicum bottom portion when seated for a long period of time can be mitigated, and vibration-transmitting characteristics can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignees: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo KenkyushoInventors: Etsunori Fujita, Seiji Kawasaki, Yumi Ogura, Eiichi Yasuda, Shunichi Doi, Etsuko Kato, Katsuya Ibaraki
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Patent number: 7258399Abstract: Slipcovers are provided for covering a variety of seating structures. The slipcovers can include a fabric sheet, multi-layered components, extensions, anchors, relaxation mechanisms, and holders, and can be configured to cover all or a portion of a seating structure. The multi-layered components can be removably secured to the fabric sheet by decouplable fasteners or by friction or interaction with a friction enhancing material, non-removably secured to the fabric sheet by sewing, quilting, tufting, gluing, and/or applying an adhesive or bonding agent, or secured to the fabric sheet by extensions inserted into a crevice. The internal layers of a multi-layered component can also be removable, or a multi-layered component can be configured to allow additional layers to be inserted.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Inventor: Paula S Neustat
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Patent number: 7213885Abstract: The invention relates to a modular furniture assembly that is convenient and versatile. One embodiment of the modular furniture assembly comprises a base and a transverse member manually, detachably coupled to the base by a coupler. The base and the transverse member have a defined spatial relationship which enables a variety of different types, configurations and sizes of furniture assemblies to be formed therefrom. Further, the base is configured such that the transverse member can be coupled to the base in a first position to form a first furniture assembly, and can be coupled to the base in a second position to form a second furniture assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: SAC Acquistion LLCInventors: Verdi White, III, Shawn D. Nelson, Daniel Nappi, David Underwood, Matt Rich
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Patent number: 7040706Abstract: The present invention provides a seat that includes a seat comfort zone that peripherally encompasses a pelvic zone, a front seat zone adjacent to the front side of a seat comfort zone and a first side seat zone, second side seat zone and rear seat zone peripherally encompassing a first side, second side and rear side, respectively, of the seat comfort zone. The seat comfort zone, the pelvic zone, the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone, the front seat zone and the rear seat zone include a soft elastic material. Further, the front seat zone is less firm than the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone, the rear seat zone, the seat comfort zone and the pelvic zone. The first side seat zone, the second side seat zone and the rear seat zone are more firm than the front seat zone, the seat comfort zone and the pelvic zone. The pelvic zone is more elastic than the front seat zone, the comfort zone, the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone and the rear seat zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Phat Cushion LLCInventor: Adam J. Koffler
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Patent number: 7040707Abstract: A seat back of automotive seat, which comprises an upper seat back portion and a lower seat back portion. A foam padding of the upper seat back portion is greater in hardness than that of the lower seat back portion. A vent element is provided in each of the two seat back portions. The vent element may include a through-hole or a recessed portion, and/or a netted element provided on the lower seat back portion. The upper seat back portion is fixedly connected with the lower seat back portion in an integral manner by means of a connecting element disposed within both of those two seat back portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Nakahara
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Patent number: 6996864Abstract: A cushion for a wheelchair, including a matrix of cushion modules, wherein each cushion module includes a cushion element that has a phase change material included in its filler material that sits above an additional cushion element of a larger volume of filler material. The cushion also typically includes a support rail located on three sides of the matrix of cushion modules to align the body of the wheelchair user when sitting in the wheelchair. In addition, the cushion typically includes a base member that is positioned beneath the matrix and provides stability for the cushion. The cushion elements are typically enclosed in a moisture resistant envelope.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare, LPInventor: Evan W. Call
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Patent number: 6938290Abstract: Impact energy forces to the spine are reduced through the use of multiple overlying pliable impact energy absorbing layers. Each layer comprises a plurality of cells that are in fluid communication which provides for a valved transfer of fluid between the cells. Additionally, each layer has a different durometer.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Inventors: Richard A. McKinney, Barbara J. McKinney, David P. Colvin
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Patent number: 6918146Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable seat cushion for furniture that can be customized to an individual level of comfort by the user of the furniture. The adjustable seat cushion has an auxiliary support member that can be inserted into or removed from the support member of the cushion. The auxiliary support members come in a variety of firmnesses so that a desired level of comfort or firmness for the adjustable seat cushion can be achieved by selecting the appropriate auxiliary support member. The cushion can come with a piece of furniture as part of a kit that includes a group of auxiliary support members of varying firmnesses for each adjustable seat cushion on the piece of furniture.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: England, Inc.Inventor: Rodney England
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Patent number: 6918465Abstract: A seat cushion, for use with an elevated outdoor hunting or observation stand, is constructed with a plurality of layers therein. The seat cushion is constructed in two or more layers in which one layer includes an envelope with a gas sealed therein. The envelope may include at least two independently sealed chambers. A second layer of the seat cushion includes a flexible foam pad above the envelope. The seat cushion may further include a reinforcing member below the envelope, which may be made of foam which is denser than the foam of the top foam layer. A portable tree seat apparatus is also described, including a frame, an attachment member for cooperating with the frame to attach the frame to a tree, and the multi-layer seat cushion.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Inventor: Robert Eastman, II
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Patent number: 6817674Abstract: The object of the present invention is to suppress rebound of a human body by making a reaction force small due to a large damping ratio. A bulging portion 11 is formed at a seat cushioning member 14 which is a tension structure. This structure has a structure of changing the damping characteristics functioned by the change in strain energy and tension by deformation created by a plane wave of the tension structure in accordance with the magnitude of the excitation force of an inputted vibration.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Kazuyoshi Chizuka, Seiji Kawasaki, Yumi Ogura, Naoki Ochiai, Yasuhide Takata, Shigeyuki Kojima, Miho Kikusui
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Publication number: 20040145230Abstract: A seat comprising a seat frame, and a cushion material supported by the seat frame and having a three-dimensional knitted fabric which is formed by joining, with connecting threads, a pair of ground knit fabrics which are disposed so as to be separated from one another, wherein the cushion material comprising a first region whose elastic compliance when a reaction force is applied to an extending side of the cushion material when an occupant is seated on the seat is substantially equivalent to an elastic compliance of a portion of the occupant's body pressing the cushion material and a second region whose elastic compliance is larger than that of the first region. Accordingly, a thin and light seat can be provided, load concentration on the occupant's tuber ishiadicum bottom portion when seated for a long period of time can be mitigated, and vibration-transmitting characteristics can be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Seiji Kawasaki, Yumi Ogura, Eiichi Yasuda, Shunichi Doi, Etsuko Kato, Katsuya Ibaraki
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Patent number: 6755475Abstract: A cushion structure having multiple indentation load deflection areas created by using inflatable preformed containers within a base cushion foam and method for making same. The invention can be utilized to make cushions for use with separately manufactured upholstery covers as well as for pour-in-place or foam-in-cover upholstered cushions. Such cushions are suitable for use in commercial and residential furniture as well as automobiles, buses, trains and aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John M. Tiesler, Bari W. Brown, George B Byma
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Patent number: 6755477Abstract: A therapeutic sling seat comprising a flexible material which is non-uniform in stiffness providing maximum contact surface area with the body of a person seated in the seat by spreading the forces away from high pressure areas using multiaxis tension forces. The seat material in tension adapts to the contour of the posterior of the seated person. By controlling the pressures on the ischial tuberosities, physical problems such as ulcers can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Inventor: William W. Chow
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Patent number: 6733072Abstract: A padded element for a vehicle, the element comprising padding of flexible synthetic foam which supports a flexible member and which presents a support face for coming to bear against a user, said support face being covered by: a film suitable for providing a barrier against the synthetic foam before it polymerized; a first compressible flexible layer covering the film on its side opposite side to the padding and presenting permeability to air of less than 200 l.m−2.s−1 under a pressure difference of 100 Pa, and presenting a load-bearing capacity of 5 kPa; a second flexible layer presenting a load-bearing capacity of 12 kPa; and a flexible outer decorative covering.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'AutomobileInventors: Laurent Jaillet, Hervé Rancon, Jérôme Senechal, Nordine Edouibi
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Patent number: 6701556Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a cover having an interior region, and a base located within the interior region. The base includes a top foam layer, a middle foam layer, and a bottom foam layer. The top layer is coupled to the middle layer and the middle layer is coupled to the bottom layer. Each of the foam layers includes a plurality of different foam sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: James J. Romano, Sohrab Soltani, Michael V. Bolden
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Publication number: 20040012238Abstract: A seat pad 1 for vehicles comprises a top part 2 corresponding to a seating section (under-hip section), an under-thigh section, and side bulging sections, and a bottom part 3 located on the underside of the top part 2. The top part 2 and the bottom part 3 are formed separately from each other and are connected to each other. The bottom part 3 is formed into the same configuration allowing commonization among different types of vehicles so that the seat pad can be partly commonized among various types and various grades of vehicles. A seat sensor 4 is disposed between the bottom part 3 and the top part 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Masaaki Zenba, Kazushige Ebe
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Patent number: 6625830Abstract: A wheelchair cushion having a solid gel patient interface, a matrix or honeycomb panel and a foam base. The gel layer is mold around and over the honeycomb panel to produce a composite panel with patient interface characteristics of a gel layer, but with reduced weight. The matrix panel cells are open on the lower ends which are bonded to a soft foam base. The matrix panel interacts with the foam base to spread forces and provide pressure reduction and positioning better than solid gel, but with less weight. The foam base may include several layers of differing density and contouring elements. The composite panel conforms to the base contours to provide a contoured patient interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Inventor: Neal Lampel
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Patent number: 6571411Abstract: A seat cushion is formed of a lower body and an upper body. The lower body is made of a polyurethane chip molded product containing fibrillated polyurethane chips with radial projections and a binder for binding the fibrillated polyurethane chips. The polyurethane chip molded product has 25 percent ILD hardness of 1,000 to 5,000 N and a density of 150 to 300 kg/M3. The upper body is made of soft polyurethane foam molded on the lower body. The upper body has 25 percent ILD hardness of 60 to 300 N and a density of 20 to 80 kg/M3.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Kazushige Ebe
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Publication number: 20030098598Abstract: A process for producing a multi-layered article having a soft, leather-like feel comprising first introducing into a suitable mold a first liquid formulation designed to produce the top elastomeric layer on the finished article. A release agent is then applied on the elastomeric layer in the area where it is desired not to have adherence of the elastomer to the foam. Before the elastomeric layer is completely cured, a second liquid foam producing formulation, designed to produce a soft foam, is poured into the open mold. The elastomeric layer of the resulting article is integrally attached to the foam in the areas not containing the release agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: Steven English, Katherine J. Bladon, Jose Godoy, Alfredo B. Larre, Andrew M. Hogg
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Patent number: 6520541Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system for protecting an occupant of the vehicle safety seat from injury. The safety seat system includes a ramped metal seat bottom having a ramp angle that prevents sub-marining of an occupant during a frontal impact. A first foam layer is disposed immediately over the ramped metal seat bottom and supported by the ramped metal seat bottom. The first foam layer has a rate sensitive compression characteristic. A second foam layer is disposed over the first foam layer. The second foam layer imparts comfort to the occupant during operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Penn State Research FoundationInventor: Alan E. Cantor
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Patent number: 6481801Abstract: The present application pertains to a seat pad particularly for motor vehicles seats, with a core portion made of expanded plastics material. The upper side of the core portion facing the seat surface is provided with channel-like grooves, so that the geometry of the remaining core portion allows an optimum distribution of the seat pressure because of the good adaptation to the human anatomy.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Gerhard Schmale
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Patent number: 6450572Abstract: A total comfort bicycle saddle that is adapted to provide a rider with both a comfortable cushion surface as well as a firm support surface to enhance the rider's comfort and provide adequate support of the rider's weight. The bicycle saddle includes a relatively hard foam extending over a rigid base, a relatively soft foam extending over the relatively hard foam, and a region of gel located on top of the relatively soft foam. The relatively soft foam is adapted to provide a comfortable cushion surface for the seated rider. The relatively hard foam lying below the relatively soft foam is adapted to prevent the rider from sinking into the soft foam and engaging the rigid base. The gel on top of the relatively soft foam is adapted to undergo a change in shape in response to a seated rider shifting his position so as to evenly distribute the rider's weight over the top of the saddle.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventor: Raymond J. Kuipers
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Publication number: 20020067064Abstract: A padded element for a vehicle, the element comprising padding of flexible synthetic foam which supports a flexible member and which presents a support face for coming to bear against a user, said support face being covered by:Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Laurent Jaillet, Herve Rancon, Jerome Senechal, Nordine Edouibi
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Patent number: 6361116Abstract: A seat includes a seat portion connected to a base so that it can be supported on the ground. In addition to a front, a rear and two sides, the seat portion has an upwardly inclined portion, an inclined support portion, and a substantially flat horizontal portion. The upwardly inclined portion inclines upwardly from the front of the seat portion to a first intermediate position between the front and rear of the seat portion. The inclined support portion extends between a second intermediate position and the rear of the seat portion. The horizontal portion extends from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position. The upwardly inclined portion supports the femurs and knees in a position below a person's acetabulum. The horizontal portion receives and holds the ischial bones when the person sits down, and the inclined support portion supports the gluteal muscles and sacra iliac ligaments.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Heygarth South Pty Ltd.Inventor: Jeffrey Herbert