Abstract: An air cell pillow includes an air cushion and a cover. The air cushion is encased by a cover that has a top, bottom and four side panels arranged generally in a box shape. The top and bottom panels each have a first thickness and the side panels each have a second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The first thickness provides a smooth, continuous surface atop the independent air cells of the cushion and the second thickness allowing the pillow to readily collapse upon application of a load to the top and bottom panels. The air cushion has separate zones that may be independently adjusted to vary the resiliency in each zone. The cushion has a base sheet and a top sheet. The top sheet is molded in the form of a plurality of air cells that are secured to and extend outwardly from the base sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a seating system and more particularly to seat cushion assemblies having a rearward depression and cushioning insert tailored to fit under the skeletal structure of the user. In particular, the assembly preferably includes an inflatable air insert which is made of a series of pleated air cells where the insert generally has the same outline as the depression. The insert can be inflated during use using a one-handed pump.

Abstract: A sitting posture correction device for placement between a backrest and the back of a user. The device comprises an inflatable bladder which is generally spherical in shape when fully inflated and a flexible, substantially rectangular cover for the bladder forming a pocket and adapted to contain the bladder, when the latter is partially inflated, in the pocket. During use of the device, the bladder is located within the cover, is partially inflated, and is free to shift and change its shape within the cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 22″×72″ air cushion levitation apparatus that is used when a medical patient is required to be moved from a hospital bed to a gurney and ten to examination tables. The apparatus is placed under the patient on the bed, a pressurized air supply is then applied, causing the apparatus to vent air from the bottom of the apparatus which causes the apparatus to lift in the air on a cushion of air. An attendant can then glide the apparatus and the patient from the bed to the gurney without physical exertion. The air supply is then terminated and the patient is gently lowered onto the gurney and taken to an examination table. The same procedure is employed to return the patient to their bed.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus comprises a rolling transfer tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. The rolling transfer tube is flattened when placed under a patient to form an upper run and a lower run. A fluid chamber that receives fluid under pressure is defined between the outer surface and the inner surface. The inner surface has a plurality of perforations through which fluid is expelled to create a fluid bearing between the upper run and the lower run.

Abstract: An air inflatable support element includes: (a) two identical circular outer sections, one being an upper outer section and the other being a lower outer section; and (b) two or more circular middle sections, each middle section being affixed at its periphery to the adjacent middle section, each middle section being identical to the other middle sections, each middle section being affixed to an outer section; wherein the outer sections are parallel, but not affixed, to one another; the outer and middle sections each include an identically sized central aperture, the central aperture extending through the center of the support element; and the support element includes a flexible, nonmetallic material. Also included is an air support surface containing the support elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Swift Connection Joint Between Airbags. This invention includes a device named swift connection joint, instead of the air-pipes that are used in conventional air mattresses. The swift connection joint consists of first main unit and second main unit to be adhered to two airbags, respectively, as well as a locking part for installation of both main units. With the above-mentioned components, the swift connection joint can be assembled/disassembled easily, and does not fall apart. Therefore, the present invention is an ideal device for transmission of air into air mattress.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress capable of being folded or rolled into a small compact unit and unfolded or unrolled to a relatively flat or partially contoured body supporting condition. The mattress is comprised of an inner foam core of the type capable of being rolled or folded. An outer flexible and foldable fabric cover surrounds the foam core. Moreover, air spaces are formed in the foam core to allow a self-inflating when a valve on the mattress is opened. The mattress is air impervious and will remain inflated when the valve is closed. This construction also allows a deflating when the mattress is compressed and the valve is again opened. The mattress is characterized in that the major part of the upper surface area is provided with a plurality of closely spaced apart recesses formed in both the cover and the foam core and thereby define corresponding raised portions or projections between each of the recesses.

Abstract: A variable height, portable, inflatable foot and leg elevator comprises a plurality of adjacent prismatoid chambers, cooperating to form one inflatable prismatoid-shaped resilient body adapted to support the legs and feet of a user one way valve means providing for gas transfer between said plurality of prismatoid chambers, allowing the preplanned sequential inflation of selected prismatoid chambers such that the height of said variable height portable inflatable foot and leg elevator, can be increased upon the transfer of gas through one way valve means from one chamber, to an adjacent chamber, when the gas pressure in one chamber reaches a preplanned value, sufficient to cause the opening of the way valve means; inflating means attached to a first prismatoid chamber; deflating means permanently attached to said plurality of prismatoid chambers, permitting the deflation of said chambers, to thereby decrease the height of said foot and leg elevator; power means with control means for said inflating means, and

Abstract: A support pillow comprises an inflatable pillow body having an interior that is adapted to be filled with a fluid to inflate the pillow body, a top side, a bottom side, and at least one wall disposed in the interior and that connects the top side to the bottom side to facilitate flattening of the top and the bottom sides when the pillow body is inflated. The pillow body further comprises a medial region and first and second opposing arms extending from the medial region, with the arms having respective first and second end portions remote from the medial region. Further, the cantilever arms are curved about a vertical axis, and the cantilever arms and medial region cooperate to define an open well.

Abstract: A cushion for being positioned on a seating product for supporting a user thereon. The cushion includes first and second cushion elements joined in registration and collectively defining a void therein for receiving a flexible, fluid-impervious bladder. The bladder is adapted for receiving a preselected volume of fluid therein for providing adjustable support to the user.

Abstract: A support for aligning the head and torso. The support includes at least one first bladder containing a fluid. The first bladder is communicatively coupled to at least one second-bladder containing a fluid. When the user is in the side position atop the second bladder, at least a portion of the fluid in the second bladder is displaced into the first bladder by the user's torso. The fluid displaced into the first bladder causes the first bladder to raise the user's head when in the side position atop the first bladder.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing cushion comprising two sheets peripherally sealed and a plurality of half-through holes and/or grooves whose circumferential walls constitute a cubic supporting structure. The shock-absorbing cushion has a hollow interior filled with air, gas, liquid or semi-solid to change its inner pressure, and is able to be applied to sports goods, shoe soles, etc., for protecting something from pressure or shock.

Abstract: An ottoman with a thermally insulated chamber includes an airtight inner wall and an airtight outer wall, the inner wall being coaxial with and shorter that the outer wall; an airtight top wall secured to the periphery of the top of the outer wall, and an airtight bottom wall secured to the peripheries of the bottoms of the inner and outer wall; and an airtight mid-level wall intermediate the tip and bottom walls and secured to the periphery of the top of the inner wall. The inner wall and the mid-level wall define the interior of an axially-extending thermally insulated chamber closed at the chamber top and open at the chamber bottom. Preferably the inner, outer, top, bottom and mid-level walls cooperatively define an airtight thermally insulating chamber filled with a thermally-insulating body of stagnant gas.

Abstract: An inflatable baby cushioning apparatus for restricting the movement of infants. The inflatable baby cushioning apparatus includes an inflatable baby cushioning apparatus comprising a pad. The pad includes a peripheral edge and a plurality of tubular members. Each of the plurality of tubular members includes a pair of ends and a peripheral wall extending therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides amembrane that includes as a gas-barrier component a polyester polyol-modified polyurethane, the polyester polyol portion having repeating units in which the total number of carbon atoms is about eight or less. The membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a dual speed air control valve including a first sheet having an aperture therein and a second sheet continuously secured to the first sheet along a periphery of the first and second sheets. Further, a third sheet in continuously secured to the second sheet along a periphery of the third and second sheets. The first sheet defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the third sheet. The third sheet defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapeutic seat or bed for reducing the likelihood of decubitus ulcers, which can form in the skin surrounding a weight-bearing bony protrusion. The seat or bed includes one or more compressible supports in a cushion that can be moved between a compressed, relaxed, or inflated state to relieve pressure from the skin surrounding the bony protrusion to increase the blood flow or stimulate the blood flow through the area surrounding the bony protrusion.

Abstract: An inflatable chair has an outer chamber that defines the shape and size of the chair, and at least one support section positioned inside the outer chamber. The support section(s) provide the desired support at particular locations of the outer chamber so as to provide the necessary comfort and stability to the chair.

Abstract: An inflatable positioning device is provided. The device includes a pump, a tube extending from the pump, a valve intermediate the length of the tube and non-rectangular inflatable pillow connected to the end of the tube remote from the pump. The non-rectangular inflatable pillow is dimensioned for positioning portions of a patient's body during surgery.

Abstract: The application is related to inflatable devices, and, more specifically, to an inflatable device with a recessed fluid controller and improved adjustment device. In one embodiment, the application is directed to an inflatable device comprising a substantially fluid impermeable bladder and a fluid controller comprising an electrically powered pump at least partly positioned within the bladder. In another embodiment, the application is directed to a combination of a fluid controller comprising an electrically powered pump and an inflatable device. The combination comprises the fluid controller connected to the inflatable device such that the exterior profile of the fluid controller and inflated inflatable device in combination is essentially the same as the exterior profile of the inflated inflatable device.

Abstract: A built-up air cushion mainly includes a bottom wall and a plurality of inflatable units separately and detachably connected to the bottom wall. The inflatable unit each includes a base on which suitable numbers of air cells are provided. Each inflatable unit is provided at the base with an air inlet for inflating or bleeding the air cells in order to adjust an air pressure in each inflatable unit to meet actual need, or to deflate the inflatable units for convenient storage of the air cushion. While the inflatable units may be massively manufactured with only one type of mold at reduced cost, air cushions of different sizes and shapes may be easily formed by attaching desired numbers of inflatable units to bottom walls having desired sizes and shapes.

Abstract: The application relates to fasteners for use in securing two objects together with a fastening element and to an inflatable device incorporating such fasteners. In one embodiment, a fastener for use with a fastening element includes a housing sized and adapted to mate with a fastening element and a latch positioned relative to the housing to retain the fastening element within the housing.

Abstract: An arising aid to allow individuals needing assistance in raising from a seating position to a standing position. When the device is placed on a chair seat, the user may inflate bellows in the device by rocking from side to side. The inflated bellows raise the seated person to a near standing position, where the user may be able to stand without further assistance.

Abstract: A composite mattress is comprised of a rectangular intermediate base with four upper sidewalls extending vertically above the base adjacent the edges of the base forming an upper cavity, four lower sidewalls extending vertically below the base adjacent the edges of the base forming a lower cavity, a spring mattress comprised of a plurality of coil springs individually encased within material pockets positioned in the lower cavity below the base, an air mattress comprised of a plurality of adjustable air cell units formed with independent air cells positioned in the upper cavity above the base, and a cover encasing the entire composite mattress.

Abstract: A shock absorbing cushion device removable, pressure-adjustable for sports goods, comprising a cover and an air cushion enveloped in the cover, said cushion made as a hollow flat bag whose upper and lower sheets are provided and adhered with round recesses or line recesses or the both combined, said recesses furnishing the air cushion with shock absorbing elasticity and flexibility whether said cushion is inflated or not. An inflation pump or an air nipple is provided in said cushion for inflating or deflating said cushion.

Abstract: A pump assembly is described for use in the field of workstation design. The pump assembly is described for use in combination with a chair back having an expandable fluid bladder for lumbar support. The pump assembly allows a person, while seated, to more easily inflate or deflate an expandable fluid bladder. An actuator for inflating and deflating the expandable fluid bladder is also described.

Abstract: Applications of barrier coating mixtures containing in a carrier liquid, (a) an elastomeric (preferably butyl-containing) polymer; (b) a dispersed exfoliated layered filler having an aspect ratio greater than 25; and (c) at least one surfactant, wherein the solids content of the mixture is less than 30% and the ratio of polymer (a) to filler (b) is between 20:1 and 1:1 include coated articles, which are elastomeric, e.g., sports balls and inflatable articles. Methods of manufacturing such coated products are also encompassed.

Abstract: The use of particulate stuffings such as down or fiberfill in the construction of orthopaedic pillows has previously been limited due to formidable intrinsic difficulties: On a curved wedge of support, with natural turning movement of the sleeper, fiberfill will tend to “avalanche” downhill, settle and pack down to obliterate any initial toricity or inflected curvature. Hence the sleeper is awakened to refluff or to punch the missing inflection back into place. Though simple internal partitioning can initially delay the scenario, in due course nuisance fiber sequestering and impeded normal hand refluffing are the results. The present invention focuses on structurally overcoming these impediments to the orthopaedic use of particulate fillings. It notably provides a pillow that manifests to the sleeper as downy soft, and comfortingly restful.

Abstract: A support device provided to be arranged on a base member (1) such as a mattress, a bunk or a bed, and comprising an inflatable portion (2) which is arranged to be in an inflated state in order to lift a person resting upon the inflatable portion (2), the inflatable portion (2) comprising an inlet opening (5) and an outlet opening (6) for the supply and evacuation respectively of an inflation medium. The inflatable portion (2) comprises a lateral projection (4) provided to project beyond a lateral edge (3) of the base member (1) and at which the inlet opening (5) and the outlet opening (6) are arranged.

Abstract: A pillow is formed from a ZIPLOC® bag by either placing a collapsible regulator within the bag which holds the walls of the bag apart when the mouth of the bag is opened or by prestressing the bag in a way that bows the walls of the bag apart, whereby when the mouth of the bag is open, air introduced into the bag is trapped therein upon again closing the bag.

Abstract: A pump is formed by a pair of sleeves 1,2 each of which is closed at one end. The end of sleeve 2 incorporates an inlet valve in the form of a membrane 11 which lifts to allow air to enter the pump through an opening 22 as the pump sleeves 1,2 are extended. When the sleeves 1,2 are closed against one another, the membrane 11 closes and a second membrane 12 lifts to allow air to pass through opening 15 communicating with a connection 16 for attachment to the inflation inlet 5 of an inflatable mattress 3. A pressure relief valve 17 prevents the mattress 3 from being over-inflated. The deflated mattress 3 can be stored in the space within the two sleeves 1,2.

Abstract: An air cell pillow comprised of an air cushion with independent air cells extending outwardly from a common base sheet, the air cushion encased by a cover, the cover having a top, bottom and four side panels arranged generally in a box shape, the top and bottom panels each having a first thickness and the side panels each having a second thickness, the first thickness greater than the second thickness, the first thickness providing a smooth, continuous surface atop the independent air cells of the cushion and the second thickness allowing the pillow to readily collapse upon application of a load to the top and panel panels.

Abstract: An inflatable, disposable covered pillow which can be conveniently carried and stowed by a user in a deflated state, and used as a comfortable, clean pillow in an inflated state. The inflatable pillow includes an inflatable airtight chamber sandwiched between first and second fabric sheets in one embodiment, and surrounded by a fabric sleeve in another. The airtight chamber and first and second fabric sheets, or the fabric sleeve, are joined by a seam to the airtight chamber. One of the fabric sheets may include an adhesive securing tab to facilitate wrapping the fabric sheets around the airtight chamber and keeping the fabric sheets in place. The inflatable pillow may also include a sanitary sheet, joined to the inflatable pillow along the seam. The sanitary sheet provides a cover for the pillow in a deflated state, and helps to keep the pillow clean by insulating the pillow from a seat, window, or other items upon which a user may place a pillow.

Abstract: A heating and cooling comforter for heating or cooling a user. The heating and cooling comforter includes an inner bladder comprising a pair of panels coupled together along the outer perimeter of the inner bladder to define an air space therebetween. Each of the panels of the inner bladder has a plurality of spaced apart air apertures therethrough into the air space of the inner bladder. A comforter cover is also included comprising a pair of panels coupled together along the outer perimeter of the comforter cover. The comforter cover has an elongate slit therein between the panels of the comforter cover. The inner bladder is inserted into the comforter cover. A vent cover is included having an arcuate upper wall and an open bottom. An elongate conduit is extended between the from the inner bladder and the vent cover to fluidly connect the air space of the inner bladder to the vent cover.