Abstract: A pneumatic core for mattresses, cushions, car seats and the like, is disclosed. The core comprises an upper sheet of rubberized cloth and a lower sheet of flexible rubber material forming a plurality of protrusions when inflated.

Abstract: A cushioned toilet seat is made by first forming a sealed air-and-water tight annular inner tube having a configuration corresponding to that of the end product, then vacuum forming an annular recess or cavity in a first sheet of a cover material, then placing the previously formed sealed inner tube into the annular cavity, then placing a rigid annular member into the cavity on top of the inner tube, then placing a flat sheet of cover material over the cavity, and sealing it closed. Variations are disclosed in one of which the inner tube is filled or partially filled with a polyurethane foam produced by placing a quantity of expandable foamable polyurethane resin reaction mixture in the inner tube before sealing and then sealing the inner tube closed before the foam is fully expanded. In another embodiment, the inner tube is filled or partially filled with water.

Abstract: An inflatable toy which when inflated has the contour of a hassock. The toy features a cylindrical envelope and inner radially-extending planar baffles, these elements being composed of soft limp flexible material such as a thermoplastic plastic. When the toy is inflated by introducing air under mild pressure into the envelope, the top and bottom walls of the envelope are distended so as to assume the contour of the top and bottom of a hassock, i.e. with a central bulge and discrete radial outward bulges. This configuration is formed by disposing the baffles vertically and mutually angularly spaced, each of the baffles extending radially from near the central axis of the envelope and terminating short of the periphery of the envelope, with rectilinear attachments of the top and bottom edges of each of the baffles to the top and bottom walls of the envelope. The baffles are tautened by outward force exerted on the top and bottom walls between the baffles, by the pressure of the inflating air.

Abstract: Life and weight saving aircraft seat structure employs frame supported interconnected pneumatic seat and seatback cushions with automatic compensation for pressure and temperature changes primarily by provision of predetermined pneumatic overflow envelope elastic force variables; in preferred embodiment self-extinguishing inflating gas is provided, a vented sleeve or sheath limits amount of expansion of the overflow envelope and an overflow relief valve limits system pressure.

Abstract: A seat cushion and body support assembly is provided where the cushion comprises a plurality of individually inflatable chambers. Each of the chambers is connected, through its own conduit means, to a controllable pressure source so that, when desired, the chambers can be inflated. The chambers may all be inflated simultaneously, and thereafter the operator can control individual vent or dump valves to reduce the pressure or volume of pressure fluid in any respective chamber, thereby achieving a desired contour for the cushion for purposes of body or back support; or the chambers may be individually inflated by operation of a respective valve for each chamber. The inflatable seat cushion and body support is portable, and is particularly intended for use in vehicles such as automobiles and trucks.

Abstract: A chair is provided having a seating portion containing a water-filled container formed of a thin flexible film and having a horizontally disposed upper flat surface for the supportive cushioning of the user, and an upright portion having an assembly of 5 to 20 elongated water-filled enclosures disposed in parallel horizontal juxtaposition. The elongated enclosures have a rounded outer contour which provides cushioning to the user's back. The hydrostatic pressure within each elongated water-filled enclosure is between 1" and 4" of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternating inflatable support for the human body. The invention includes a flexible pillow having a plurality of fluid impervious pockets therein which are substantially flat when deflated, but which support an adjacent section of the human body when inflated with a fluid under pressure. The pockets are interspersed and grouped into an operably coupled first set of pockets and an operably coupled second set of pockets. A pump is provided which includes at least one pumping chamber for receiving and expelling fluid under pressure. A solenoid is operably coupled to the pumping chambers for compressing and expanding the pumping chambers. A valve is operably coupled between the pump and the flexible pillow for alternately inflating and exhausting the fluid through the first set of pockets and the second set of pockets, thereby alternately supporting the interspersed sections of the body adjacent to the first set of the pockets and the second set of pockets.

Abstract: A therapeutic chair is provided having angularly displaceable seat bottom and seat back positioned on a supporting base for pivotable movement relative thereto. The seat bottom and seat back include longitudinally extending sidewalls having inwardly facing surfaces which may be selectively displaced inwardly to effectively provide support for the occupant of the chair. Selective displacement of the inner sidewall surfaces is achieved through incorporation of selectively inflatable air cells which are restrained against the respective side walls. These cells are inflated to expand inwardly and provide the proper size adjustment and support of the occupant in maintaining the desired body position for comfort and avoidance of the involuntary extensor thrust positioning.

Abstract: A water cushion particularly suited for use in supporting a human body in a seated disposition in an automobile, wheel chair and the like with a greater degree of safety. The cushion includes a flexible envelope adapted to be filled with water including a first zone configured to receive in supporting relation the buttock of a seated person and having defined therein an unbaffled chamber, and a second zone for receiving in supporting relation the thighs of the person having defined therein a plurality of chambers arranged in mutual parallelism and communicating with the chamber of the first zone, whereby the rigidity of the second zone is enhanced as the pressure applied by the weight of the person is increased.

Abstract: A back support having a plurality of individually inflatable cushions extending horizontally across a frame and arranged such that air pressure may be adjusted in individual cushions to provide selective localized support to different areas of the back. A cross brace extends between spaced end frame members to furnish a firm support for each of the individually inflatable cushions to prevent undue deformation of the cushions.

Abstract: An article of furniture that includes a curved lower outer surface so that the article of furniture or chair can be rocked back and forth, the chair including stop members for limiting rocking motion or movement of the chair, and wherein reinforced portions are provided for supporting occupants of the chair so that the occupants will not sink down too far in the chair.

Abstract: A kit including the elements necessary to adapt a seat and a conventional vehicle seat in particular to provide full length body support and inflatable adjustment of its various portions to suit the size and the comfort of a particular occupant of the seat. The kit comprises a plurality of inflatable bags attached together in mattress like form with each bag having a port through which air may be introduced under pressure into the bag or exhausted therefrom; and a slip cover dimensioned to fit over the air bags and a car seat when applied thereto with the seat cover including means for securing it in position on the car seat.

Abstract: An improved "G" seat system for use in aircraft simulators in which the motion associated with "G" forces is simulated by a plurality of individually controllable air cells which make up the seat and back, and the feeling of seat hardness is simulated by a plurality of firmness cells placed atop the air cells to come in contact with the seat occupant is shown. In another embodiment heat exchangers are placed in the firmness pads in the tuberosity region and used to further simulate pressure change by using temperature change.

Abstract: An easily transportable tiered grandstand consisting of a collapsible fluid-tight casing erectable by filling with a fluid and/or solid substances, such as gas and/or water, the casing having a base portion adapted when the casing is erected, to rest on a substantially flat horizontal support surface such as the ground and having a top portion which in the erected position forms a plurality of tiers. Flexible elements are provided internally of the casing connecting the bottom and top portions of the casing and being under tension when the casing is erected. Seats and gangways may be mounted on the top portion.

Abstract: A compactable furniture unit having two chairs and a shaped body, each chair having a seating surface, an upwardly extending backrest and two upwardly extending armrests; the shaped body being adapted to fit into the area defined by the seating surface, backrest and armrests of one of the chairs and to extend upwardly beyond the top of at least one of said armrests. The second chair of the unit is adapted to be inverted and to rest with its armrests on the armrests of said first chair, so that said second chair is maintained in this position atop said first chair by said shaped body thus forming a compact unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a stabilized firmly anchored inflatable article comprising a flexible member and a rigid member attached thereto. The flexible member is so designed that portions of its surface press against a rigid surface surrounding the rigid member when the flexible member is inflated. This invention also provides a pneumatic system connected with the inflatable article for providing fluid under pressure to the inflatable article and a motor vehicle including the pneumatic system.The pneumatic system comprises the inflatable article, a fluid pump, drive means for the fluid pump and a regulating valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the inflatable article and the pump.This invention further provides a multi-port valve for use as the regulating valve.

Abstract: An adjustable seat having air spring support and providing for pitch compensation and limitation, automatic maintenance of height adjustment, and rapid and economical back inclination adjustment.

Abstract: A "G" seat for providing kinesthetic (sensation of motion) cues to a pilot of a simulated aircraft. The seat is designed specifically to stimulate elements of the haptic sensory system and is capable of independently producing desired skeletal attitude shifts, area of flesh contact changes and flesh pressure gradient variations and coordinating same to simulate acceleration effects. The seat contains two mosaics of air cells forming a seat cushion and a back cushion, respectively. The air cells comprise tension spring loaded bellows having rigid top plates. The top plates of the cells in each mosaic form a body supporting surface of the corresponding cushion. The cells may be individually driven under computer control to vary the elevation, attitude and shape of these body supporting surfaces. In addition, clam-shell shaped air cells are positioned on either side of the seat cushion to provide thigh pressure and area of contact variations and a lap belt is driven to provide ventral area pressure variation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a chair or an armchair with a seat cushion and a back rest cushion, of which at least one is composed of several cushion elements forming a grid and capable of being filled with a flowable medium, at least a number of which elements are capable of being connected exclusively with each other through pipes containing at least one valve.

Abstract: A vehicle seat support assembly including a fluid spring that supports an upper seat base on a lower floor base at a vertical height corresponding to the adjusted position of an adjustable control linkage which extends between the seat base and a time delay valve whose operation controls the amount of pressurized fluid within the fluid spring. The control linkage includes an adjustment link pivotally mounted on the seat base for adjusting movement and connected to one end of a connecting link whose other end is connected to an actuating link that controls the valve. The control linkage actuates the valve so that the seat base is positioned at the same vertical height for any adjusted position of the linkage regardless of the seat occupant's weight. The control linkage is adjustable to vary the height at which the seat base is positioned and is prevented from transiently actuating the valve during dynamic vertical movement of the seat base by the time delay operation of the valve.

Abstract: A compact, portable, inflatable blind designed for use on land, on water, or on both land and water. It is composed of a flexible inflatable body which serves as a buoyant concealment device when inflated and which can be folded up into a small bundle when deflated, a seat-forming member which preferably is inflatable and contains a pouch to receive the folded body, and means supporting the seat-forming member across the lower interior of the inflated body. Various advantageous features of construction and use are described.