Abstract: A seating system primarily intended for use in wheelchairs and similar applications for reducing the development of decubitus ulcers. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a pressure relieving fluid pad. The tray has a thigh supporting shelf and a depressed seating well. The fluid pad preferably has a plurality of fluid pouches positionable over the thigh supporting shelf of the tray and an array of rearward pouches positionable over the depressed seating well. The rearward pouches in the seating well are wedge shaped and taper downwardly in vertical thickness from one end portion to the other. Each rearward pouch has its thicker end portion overlying a central part of the seating well and its thinner end portion positioned over the upwardly inclined, outer rim section of the seating well.

Abstract: A cushion that includes a base and numerous bladders locatable on the base is disclosed and claimed. Each bladder contains a quantity of filler insufficient to completely fill the bladder, and each bladder has a loose or elastomeric skin to accommodate its conforming to the shape of an object to be supported by the cushion. The top surface of each bladder acts as a hammock when supporting a cushioned object, and the bladders interact with each other to accommodate protuberance and crevices of the cushioned object. Other embodiments of the invention include a cushion that is pre-shaped in a form complementary to the shape of the object to be cushioned, and a cushion that re-shapes itself to maintain supporting forces that are generally equal across the contact surface of the supported object.

Abstract: A device particularly useful for comfortably supporting a person includes a hollow member having upper and lower walls joined to each other around their periphery and adapted to be air pressurized. The upper wall is formed with a plurality of openings at spaced locations receiving a plurality of valve members, one for each opening. Each valve member is normally biassed to a closed position with respect to its opening, but is engageable by a person supported by the hollow member and is moved thereby to an open position to outlet air from its respective opening.

Abstract: A vacuum or heat formed cushion having upstanding cells of thin (15-40 mil) wall thickness and having rectangular body sections with upwardly inclined (10.degree.-40.degree.) triangular top panels. The cushions can be attached together to form a mattress or used individually as a wheelchair or other chair or back cushion. The cells of the cushion can all be interconnected or the cushion can be divided in two or more independently inflated compartments. A special wheelchair cushion has cells of different shapes, sizes and heights to promote positioning of a user on a wheelchair. The cushion has openings through the base to allow it to be placed on a manifold so that body fluids can drain away from the patient and conditioned air can be supplied to the patient.

Abstract: A modular cushion comprising a shaped base which has a flat rear portion having a substantially flat center area and a raised front portion with angularly directed valleys on each side, a removable pommel releasably secured to the flat center portion, a resilient pad positioned on the flat portion of the base to relieve pressure on the ischial and trochanters and a cover having a non-skid undersurface and two-way stretchable material covering a portion of the top. The cover has a front panel and a rear panel, with a large opening in the rear panel to allow the cover to be positioned over the base, and a smaller opening in the front panel aligned with the center portion of the base and with the pommel whereby the pommel can be inserted and removed through the opening by a person seated on the cushion, and a flap, including means for retaining the flap in closed position, hingedly connected to the front panel and shaped to cover said opening.

Abstract: The present invention elates to inflatable cells for cushion and mattress elements, and in particular for medical applications, the elements comprising a soleplate that has a bottom support surface that is plane plus said telescopic cells that extend perpendicularly from and that are fixed to said soleplate in a matrix that covers the top surface of the element, each cell being made out of a flexible material forming an airtight external skin that encloses an internal volume, each of which is in communication with the internal volume of at least one adjacent cell.

Abstract: A pneumatic device for therapeutic treatment of the skin and skin pressure areas of immobile patients seated in a chair, which provides for alternating low air loss pressure sacs that are in contact with the seated patient that includes an air sac array overlay that is conveniently and quickly mounted to a bedside chair, a portable air supply that can be attached for controlling the individual air sac alternating air pressures, the portable air supply housing being mounted on the side arm of a chair, and a separate removable coverlet that is liquid impervious for incontinent patients while providing for sweat absorption for the patient seated thereon. The portable air supply can be quickly detached from the air sac chair overlay for use with a bed mattress air pressure alternating device.

Abstract: An inflatable device for assisting in rasing a seated person to a standing position, comprising a base member formed of a rigid material in a planar configuration, the base member having a leading edge and a trailing edge and side edges therebetween. An upper member is formed of a rigid material in a planar configuration, the upper member having a leading edge and a trailing edge and side edges therebetween. A hinge member couples the leading edge of the base member with the leading edge of the upper member to allow the upper member to pivot into an inoperative position essentially parallel with the base member and an operative orientation positioned thereabove being separated to the greatest extent at the trailing edge. An air impervious membrane couples the base member and the upper member around their peripheries in the areas remote from the hinge to thereby define an air chamber between the base member and upper member.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion having a series of separately inflatable zones with tubular conduits leading from each zone beneath or on top of the cushion within the periphery of the cushion to a common manifold spaced outwardly from the front edge of the cushion with a fill tube connected to the manifold and individual cut-off valves or a means to buckle the tubes for each conduit whereby the zones can be filled and bled simultaneously or selectively.

Abstract: A cushion for the seat of a chair is provided, having at least two groups of cyclically inflatable tubes (4, 6, 8, 10), each group comprising at least one tube. Control means (18) inflates and deflates each group sequentially. The cushion also has a buffer chamber (12, 14) maintained by the control means (18) in communication with the inflated group or groups of cyclically inflatable tubes. The buffer chamber comprises at least one inflatable buffer tube which provides a part of the sitting surface of the chair.

Abstract: A seating system primarily intended for use in wheelchairs and similar applications for reducing the development of decubitus ulcers. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a pressure relieving fluid pad. The tray has a thigh supporting shelf and a depressed seating well. The fluid pad preferably has a plurality of fluid pouches positionable over the thigh supporting shelf of the tray and an array of rearward pouches positionable over the depressed seating well. The rearward pouches in the seating well are wedge shaped and taper downwardly in vertical thickness from one end portion to the other. Each rearward pouch has its thicker end portion overlying a central part of the seating well and its thinner end portion positioned over the upwardly inclined, outer rim section of the seating well.

Abstract: A seating device is disclosed that offers comfort in use over extended periods of time and certain therapeutic effects as well as being readily portable and storable when not in use. The device is embodied in an inflatable seat that may be molded from thin, clear polyethylene/vinyl plastic material and formed with a flat thicker bottom surface, a concave seat area, a rising rear support, and a smaller frontal post section. The concave seat area is formed with an inherent forward tilt design which automatically aligns the spine of a user while the rear support provides additional comfort. The smaller frontal post section prevents forward sliding on and ride up of the rear of the seat. A valve is located in the bottom surface for inflating and deflating the seat and a snap strap may be provided for permanent closure after deflation and folding of the seat into itself.

Abstract: A pneumatic wheelchair cushion system has an air cushion with adjoining separate chambers for cushioning a user's coccyx, ischial tuberosities, greater trochanters and thighs. The chambers are pneumatically interconnected with each other such that pressure on one or more of the chambers is transmitted to the other chambers and to a control module with a controller for maintaining an inflation pressure in the air cushion within an upper and a lower set point.

Abstract: This invention provides for a gel filled deformable cushion (10) which includes a fluid impervious flexible enclosure (12) forming an internal chamber (14). Contained within the internal chamber (14) is a plasticizer composition (16) and a plurality of particulates (18) dispersed within the plasticizer composition (16). The particulates (18) are spherically contoured and have a density which is less than the density of the plasticizer composition (16) for increasing resiliency, deformability and memory of the overall composition within the cushion (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable chair structure, and particularly to a chair structure that when folded down is space-saving and easy for carrying for leisure activities, comprising air cushion body, seat cover, and support rods wherein said air cushion body composed of a plurality of air cushions joined together, and on the top end of each air cushion having an intake for filling or discharge of air in or out of air cushion; on each end of seat cover having an awning for air cushion body to set therein, and each side of seat cover having support rod that provides support function to make the user of the chair feel more comfortable, and on each side of awnings having a connection strip connected to connection device, and the angle between the seat back and seat cover of chair can be adjustable by means of adjusting buckles on connection device.

Abstract: A travel pillow is provided in the form of a torus which is inflated and which has an integral bottom backing member adapted to coact with the seat back of a chair in a plane, train, bus, or automobile in which sleep is promoted regardless of movement of the individual's head during sleep periods because the pillow permits both rotation of the head within the torus during sleep and also movement of the pillow laterally and vertically as it slips against the seat back during natural sleep movements.

Abstract: A self-inflating seat cushion is shown with airtight hollow body 32 comprising flexible material and resilient structure member 30 comprising foam. Hollow, resilient structure member 30, made of flat portions of material, can lie on the inside or attach to the outside of airtight hollow body 32. During inflating, resilient structure member 30 expands moving airtight hollow body 32 into an arching configuration with high volume relative to its dimensions. A proportionate volume of air flows into the chamber. During use, the chamber flattens and deforms, airtight hollow body 32's volume diminishes, its internal pressure increases proportionately, and the seat cushions and supports weight.

Abstract: A modular cushion comprising a shaped base which has a flat rear portion and a raised front portion with angularly directed valleys and a raised pommel to direct weight to the thighs and in combination with a resilient pad positioned on the flat portion of the base to relieve pressure on the ischial and trochanters and in combination with a cover having a non-skid undersurface and a portion of the top being two-way stretchable. The resilient pad may be of inflatable cells having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top. A U-shaped restraining member may be positioned at the front of the base with upwardly projecting sides to retain the legs of the user.

Abstract: A method for assembling a seating system by providing a base member and pad filled with fluid. The pad has a front, rear, and sides with the sides flaring outwardly of each other and of a center axis. The pad further includes an arcuate, transverse seal extending substantially from side to side across the pad and opening to face toward the front of the pad. In the method, the pad is gathered into pleats by bringing the sides toward each other until the arcuate seal assumes a substantially straight line and then positioned in its gathered state over the base member.

Abstract: A gel-encapsulating, load-supporting pad construction with an outer sheath provided with extended flanges for attachment purposes is disclosed. The attenuating device further discloses an elastomeric yieldable foam casing between the outer sheath and the encapsulated shock-absorbing or gel member.

Abstract: An anatomical support apparatus, such as a mattress pad or seat cushion, has a supporting frame, a perforated outer envelope, and a resilient inner body encased within said envelope, both said inner body and said envelope being supported by said frame, and an improved resilient inner body, comprising: a first panel including a first honeycomb core formed of resilient thermoplastic material and including cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells, the opposite extremities of said cells walls forming first and second core faces on opposite sides of said first core; andmeans tending to maintain said first core in its expanded cellular configuration so that it will anisotropically flex to stabilize and spread any load applied thereto by a user of said apparatus, and including at least a first facing sheet bonded to said first face and a second facing sheet of material bonded to said second face, said first facing sheet and said second facing sheet of said first panel being perforated and

Abstract: A transportable chair pad and method of making the same comprises a top vinyl layer; a relatively thick polyurethane core layer; a bottom, non-clickable ester urethane foam layer; and a reinforcing vinyl layer fixedly attached to the inwardly facing surface of the bottom foam layer. The polyurethane layer is provided with a plurality of holes extending entirely therethrough. The chair pad is assembled with a sandwich type, vacuum and heat sealing machine with the heat seal seams being formed about the periphery of the polyurethane layer as well as within each hole formed through the polyurethane foam layer. The bottom vinyl layer further includes a plurality of holes to provide aeration.

Abstract: An inflatable bicycle seat or cover therefor having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies, each of which is made up of one or more inflatable cells. The cell assemblies are connected to a fluid source so that the user can selectively adjust the degree of inflation of each individual cell assembly and, hence, the contour and support of the seat. The cells within each cell assembly are connected by a conduit that restricts fluid flow between cells within the assembly so that the seat will provide firm and stable support even under the forces generated in pedalling. A lightweight fluid source and controller valve are provided to permit selective adjustment of individual cell assemblies so that the contour and support characteristics can be adjusted to suit the individual requirements, from time to time, of the user.

Abstract: The invention is an article that combines the functions of a stadium blanket, rain covering and seat cushion. The article has a basically rectangular, sheet-like body that has a waterproof top layer and a flannel bottom layer. To enhance its usefulness as a rain covering, the article includes a waterproof hood attached to one edge of the body. The body also includes a closable pocket or cavity that is adapted to receive and store the hood. The article may include one or more corner-located pockets that may be employed to temporarily store items such as sunglasses or small food containers.

Abstract: A seat cushion assembly is provided that is specifically designed to alleviate the problems, such as discomfort, pressure sores, pressure ulcers, and hemorrhoids, that are associated with long term sedentary positions (i.e. patients in wheelchairs). The seat cushion assembly of the present invention includes a base having a pair of openings. Cushion inserts are located in the openings. The seat cushion assembly, when in use, provides an individual with an equal amount of pressure distribution in the gluteal region.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel adjustable multi-compartment inflatable form support. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel multi-compartment pneumatic or hydraulic support form which has multiple chambers, each of which can be inflated or hydraulically filled to different pressures to provide different shapes and degrees of support. An adjustable multi-compartment inflatable or hydraulically filled support form comprising: (a) at least one first hollow chamber which can be individually inflated or hydraulically filled through a specific resealable valve; (b) at least one second hollow chamber which can be individually inflated or filled through a specific resealable valve; and (c) at least one third hollow chamber which can be individually inflated or filled through a specific resealable valve.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bladder and pump combination comprises three coextensive superposed layers of thermoplastic material peripherally sealed to one another to thereby form a bladder having upper and lower co-extensive air chambers. The upper chamber is defined by the upper and intermediate layers and the lower chamber is defined by the intermediate and lower layers. The lower chamber is permanently inflated at the time of manufacture or assembly into a final product and the fluid pressure in the upper chamber can be modulated by the user who may alternately inflate and deflate the chamber by using an integral pump and release valve which are each disposed on the upper layer. The lower chamber may be filled using a thermoplastic intake check valve sealed between the layers defining that chamber and the superposed layers may be peripherally fused together, as by heat sealing or the like.

Abstract: A seating system for wheelchairs and other applications. The seating system includes a base member with an upper surface and a fluid pad positioned on the upper surface. The upper surface is preferably contoured and dimensioned to have areas corresponding to the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx as well as the user's femurs including trochanters. The fluid pad in the preferred embodiment is one piece and has at least three separate and distinct pouches filled with fluid. Each pouch includes seals to contain the fluid in each pouch and to isolate and prevent fluid communication with the fluid in the other two pouches. Each pouch of the pad is then respectively positioned on the upper surface of the base member under the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx. In this manner, each of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx is thereby supported on its own separate and distinct fluid pouch.

Abstract: A seating system primarily intended for use with wheelchairs. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a fluid pad. The tray has a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section with a depressed, contoured seating well to support the user's buttocks including his ischial tuberosities. The seating well includes a bottom portion and a U-shaped rim portion extending about it. The fluid pad contains a fixed volume of incompressible fluid and is provided and dimensioned to be bunched up and received in the seating well of the tray. The seating system also includes a self-adjusting feature to automatically and properly fit a user based on his weight. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiments by adding a layer of resilient, compressible foam over the upper surface of the rim portion of the seating well between the fluid pad and the rim portion. The foam is dimensioned and chosen to selectively occupy varying amounts of the volume of the seating well (i.e.

Abstract: A pneumatic cushion for a wheel chair and the like is disclosed which comprises an air housing box, a plurality of air opening sin the air housing box, and a plurality of air channels communicating with an air supply the air channels communicate with the air openings to deflate and inflate individual air sacks carried over the air openings. The air sacks are unattached so that they act individually. An air distribution manifold includes a rotating blocking member to periodically block air distribution to the air sacks allowing them to deflate. The air sacks are unattached so that they act individually. An air distribution manifold includes a rotating blocking member to periodically block air distribution to the air sacks allowing them to deflate. The air sacks are constructed from a fabric having a low air permeability.

Abstract: An integral inflatable cushion comprises a flexible bottom wall and a plurality of upstanding air cells having flexible generally vertical side walls, said air cells being substantially pyramidal in shape and having a substantially rectangular flexible lower section defined by the vertical side walls and sealed to the bottom wall, and a flexible domed tapered top area connected to the vertical side walls, the side walls of adjacent cells being separated and spaced apart to define lateral and longitudinal paths and being independently upstanding when inflated, and tubing connected to the air cells through the bottom wall to adjust and monitor the air pressure in the cells from beneath the cushion.

Abstract: A seating system for a wheelchair including a base member and fluid pad. The base member has forward and rearward sections respectively supporting the user's thighs and buttocks. The rearward section supporting the user's buttocks includes a depressed, seating well with front and rear upper surfaces. The fluid pad has a front-to-rear, center seal and a transverse seal dividing the pad into four pouches. The transverse seal crosses the center seal substantially closer to the rear of the pad than to the front and substantially midway across the seating well. In use, the pad is positioned on the base member wherein the user's thighs and front of the user's buttocks are supported on the forward pouches which, in turn, are positioned over the forward section of the base member and the front portion of the seating well of the base member. The remaining, rear portion of the user's buttocks is supported on the rear pouches over the rear portion of the base member.

Abstract: A pneumatic sit/stand device which is preferably used in assisting an invalid or physically disadvantaged person in rising from, or being seated in, a chair. The sit/stand device includes an inflatable bag having two or more cavities which inflate sequentially to help stabilize the person as he is raised from or lowered into a chair. Rear and side wall cavities inflate first to provide stabilization and push the person forward so that his feet contact the floor. A center cavity then inflates to lift and thrust the person into a standing position. The side walls help prevent the person from tilting or leaning from one side to another as air pressure equalizes the bag. The device can be used alone by the physically disadvantaged person or in conjunction with an attendant whose duty is to assist the person in sitting or standing.

Abstract: An anti-thrust seating system and low profile, adjustable back system primarily intended for use in a wheelchair. The anti-thrust seating system includes a base seating member with a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section to support the user's buttocks including the ischial tuberosities. The upper surfaces of the forward and rearward sections meet to form an edge extending across the base seating member. The upper surface of the rearward section has two portions which form a first step face or anti-thrust barrier to the user's ischial tuberosities. The seating system further includes at least one separate step means that can be removably positioned adjacent and rearwardly of the first step face wherein the separate step means has a second step face. The separate step means also has an upper surface which serves to effectively extend the thigh supporting surface or shelf rearwardly.

Abstract: A child's booster seat comprises an inflatable seat member having a primary base chamber, two opposed side chambers and a back chamber upstanding from the base chamber. An inflatable secondary base chamber is located below the primary base chamber to support the seat member thereon, the secondary base chamber being selectively inflatable to determine the height of the seat member relative thereto, restraining means being provided for retaining a child in the seat member, and securing means being provided for attaching the booster seat to a supporting chair.

Abstract: A seat for carrying a child in seated position upon an adult's shoulders is constructed as an inflatable device fabricated from flexible plastic sheet material interbonded in a manner to form a main portion of U-shaped contour whose extremities are bifurcated leg-cushioning portions. An abutment member is disposed atop the seat in a manner to be interposed between the child's groin and the back of the neck of the adult.

Abstract: A booster seat for use by a child at an event, e.g., a movie, a theater production, a professional baseball game, etc. The booster seat can be selectively inflated at the intended seat site and, after the event is viewed by the child, can be quickly deflated and folded into an envelope for subsequent ease of carrying and reuse. In one form of the device the inflatable booster seat comprises two separate inflatable chambers. The child has the choice then of being raised either the full intended height of the booster seat (both chambers inflated) or, alternatively, by inflating one or the other chamber, the child can be raised up a portion of the total two-chamber height. An air inlet valve for each chamber is provided to facilitate inflating by the child or the custodial adult then accompanying the child to the event. To facilitate ease of deflation, one or more selectively openable air outlet valves are provided. In a simple version of the device, the air inlet valve is the same as the air outlet valve.

Abstract: A sealable, composite cushion is disclosed having a plurality of resilient support member horizontally disposed to one another and surrounded by a fluid impervious membrane. Each resilient support member has a known Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) value and is located in the cushion based upon medical criteria to provide zones of varying support. In an embodiment, the resilient members are bonded to the membrane and act as tension members to maintain the cushion's form while under a load. As a result, the cushion resists further deflection not only by the resilient members' resistance to compression, but also by an increased internal pressure. Accordingly, the cushion of the present invention is a composite of fluid flotation and compression resistance. A valve may be incorporated into the cushion to regulate the fluid floatation characteristics of the cushion or to assist in its transportation.

Abstract: A waist pack adapted to be worn about the waist of a human which includes at least one interior compartment. Connecting to the waist pack by means of a connecting strap is a seat cushion. The connecting strap and the seat cushion are locatable in a stowage position within an interior compartment of the waist pack in a first embodiment. In a second embodiment, the seat cushion is rolled-up onto the connecting strap and secured. The connecting strap and the seat cushion are movable to an extended position, the seat cushion being inflatable and then to be used by being positioned under the buttocks of the human when in a sitting position.

Abstract: A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers.

Abstract: A fluid cushion is comprised of a top material layer having a first preformed cell pattern formed therein, and first seal lines pattern between cells, respectively, and a bottom material layer having a second preformed cell pattern formed therein. The second preformed pattern is congruent and complementary to the first preformed cell pattern and has a seal line matching the first seal lines, respectively. A first middle material layer has a third preformed cell pattern formed therein, with second seal lines between cells, respectively, the cells in the third preformed cell pattern being a fraction of the size of cells in the first preformed pattern. A second middle material layer has a fourth preformed cell pattern which is congruent and complementary to the third preformed cell pattern and has seal lines between cells matching and joined to the second seal lines to form small center cells, respectively, there being a cluster of small cells bounded by the larger outer cells.

Abstract: A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers.

Abstract: This invention provides for a fluid cushion (10) defined by a fluid tight closed housing (22) which is deformable by applied load of a user (12). The fluid cushion (10) includes an upper surface member (24), a lower surface member (26) and an intermediate membrane (64) which divides the interior of the housing (22) into a first fluid medium containing chamber (62) and a second fluid medium containing chamber (60). A tubular mechanism (42) defines through passages (46) which are positionally located for insertion therein of particular bones of the human body. The tubular mechanism (42) has tubular sidewall members (50) which are contoured to provide an apex (52) at a substantially central location between the upper surface member (24) and the lower surface member (26) and allows for maintenance of the fluid mediums (21 and 20) within spaces (48) between openings (32 and 34).

Abstract: A pneumatic cushion for a wheel chair and the like is disclosed which comprises an air plenum box, a plurality of air openings in the air plenum box, and a plurality of air channels communicating with an air supply. The air channels communicate with the air openings to deflate and inflate individual air sacks carried over the air openings. The air sacks are unattached so that they act individually. An air distribution manifold includes a rotating blocking member to periodically block air distribution to the air sacks allowing them to deflate. The air sacks are constructed from a fabric having a low air permeability. The blocked air sacks thus allow air to escape through the sacks for deflation which cools the portion of the occupant seated on the cushion while allowing temporary pressure relief during deflation. The air sack inflation system is open so that, in addition, pressure may be relieved by a backward flow of air through the system.

Abstract: A seat cushion is shown, of the type commonly used in conjunction with wheelchairs, but not necessarily limited to wheelchair seating. The seat cushion has a flat rigid base on which a shaped foam section with sides which angle outwardly and upwardly is supported. The foam section has a recessed area defined therein, to accommodate either a viscoelastic foam insert, or preferably a fluid-filled pad which is stuffed or accordion-folded into the recess. A suitable cover of two-way stretch moisture-proof fabric is provided. The fluid-filled pad is sealed peripherally along at least the front edge and both sides. The rear edge may also be permanently sealed, or may be provided with a variable position resealable closure extending across the rear end. At least one seam runs from the front edge to near the rear edge, to divide the pad into at least two and preferably three compartments.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion is organized into zones or compartments which are normally isolated from each other. The base of the cushion contains channels which lead from the several zones to a flap-type valve. When the flag is extended, the channels are connected through a manifold in the valve. However, when the flap is folded over upon itself, the channels are blocked before the manifold and the zones are isolated. Having separate and isolated zones, the cushion provides improved stability and better serves to maintain the user in a desired posture. A modification has individual fill valves and stems for each zone and for the manifold.

Abstract: A supporting element having a rigidity which may be adjustably controlled includes a cover (29) and a filler (30). The filler includes a flexible laminated structure having a plurality of layers (31, 32, 33; 32a, 32b; 34) which are mounted to be moveable relative to one another under the effect of a non-uniform distribution of force compressing the filler in the absence of a controlled pressure. The cover (29) is coupled to a vacuum source and is adapted to receive a controlled pressure to make the supporting element more or less rigid. When the cover (29) has a predetermined inner pressure, the relative displacement of the respective layers is prevented thereby giving the layers a predetermined rigidity. The layers may have a device for immobilizing the layers distributed on either side of at least one compressible layers (32, 32a, 32b).

Abstract: A cellular cushion has a flexible base and flexible cells projecting outwardly from the base. The cells, which are formed from an elastomeric material and contain a gas such as air, are organized into longitudinal and transverse rows, and webs within the base separate the cells of adjacent rows. At least some of the cells are sealed in the sense that their interiors are totally isolated from all other cells and from the surrounding atmosphere. The cushion may also contain a zone of cells which are interconnected in the sense that their interiors are in communication along the webs of the base.

Abstract: A seat cushion is provided that comprises a baseboard having an upper surface bounded by a forward edge, a rear edge, and two sides. A number of pressurized cells or bladders are attached to the upper surface and arranged in rows between the forward and rear edges, the rows are spaced apart to define a central depression between the rows. The cells can be independently and selectively pressurized by a fluid such as air such that the support characteristics of the cells can be adjusted to a desired body support profile. The cells are also physically spaced and mechanically decoupled such that deformation of one cell under load is not significantly transmitted to an adjacent cell. The cell spacing is such to provide body support primarily against the buttocks and thighs and to reduce pressure against the coccyx, anal, ischial, and genital areas of a user. The rearmost cells in the rows can be spaced so as to provide an ischial cavity for relieving pressure on the ischial tuberosity areas of a user.