Abstract: A headrest of the type inclinable fore-and-aft with respect to a headrest stay upon a seat, which includes a trim cover assembly having an opening formed at one side thereof, and includes an inclination mechanism connected to the headrest stay within the trim cover assembly. In forming the headrest, an inner sealing enclosure element is provided in the interior of trim cover assembly to accommodate those inclination mechanism and headrest stay therein, with a free part of the headrest stay projecting outwardly through a hole of the inner sealing enclosure element, while one the other hand, an outer sealing element is securely engaged with that inner sealing enclosure element so as to close both opening of the trim cover assembly and hole of the inner sealing enclosure element. This closing and sealing effect is made positive by a particular male and female sealing engagement arrangement defined between the inner sealing enclosure element and outer sealing element.

Abstract: An assembly and attachment of cushions wherein premolded skins of elastomeric materials are bonded together. In a first embodiment, a thin layer of elastomer is added at the points of connection of the elastomeric skins. In a second embodiment, the cushion formed by the attachment of two elastomeric skins is mounted to a receiving surface by a layer of elastomer formed between one elastomeric skin and a receiving indentation integrally formed in the skin. A third embodiment reinforces the mounting arrangement of the second embodiment by positioning an O-ring around the indentation. A fourth embodiment uses a layer of elastomer formed between one elastomeric skin and the receiving indentation and the O-ring reinforces the mounting arrangement. A method for bonding together premolded skins of elastomeric material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved bicycle saddle is made of a dual density, closed-cell, polymeric foam laminate. The upper layer is a lower density (1.5 to 5 pcf), closed-cell, polymeric foam for comfort, absorbing minor impacts and distributing impact stress over a larger surface to reduce fatigue. The lower layer is a higher density (5 to 7.2 pcf), closed-cell, polymeric foam to absorb major impacts and add structural stability to the bicycle saddle. Cushioning pads may be added inside the bicycle saddle for customizing fit. The preferred material for the upper and lower layers of the laminated, dual density bicycle saddle is a nitrogen blown, cross-linked, closed-cell, polyethylene foam. The dual density, closed-cell, polymeric foam laminate of the bicycle saddle provides improved impact attenuation. The laminate also reduces the weight of the bicycle saddle, improves comfort and reduces neck fatigue for the user. The polyethylene foam laminate also exhibits improved recovery after an impact.

Abstract: A seat avoiding crumples of a surface material covering a cushioning body thereof, giving a comfortable soft feeling for a person who sits thereon and having such a hardness that a weight of the person can be supported. A seat (1) comprising a surface material (2) and a cushioning body having a shape corresponding to an outline of the seat. The cushioning body composing of a first cushioning body (6) integrated in one with at least a part of the surface material and a second cushioning body (10) underlying the first cushioning body.

Abstract: A seat cushion pad for automobiles, wherein at least a part of the seat surface portion comprises a high-resilience foam. The foam is selected such that a load ratio (3%ISR) between a load at which the thickness is 25% compressed when pressed with a pressure plate having a diameter of 60 mm (25%-strain load) and a load at which the thickness is 3% compressed when pressed with the same pressure plate (3%-strain load) is at least about 6. Alternatively, another ratio (5%ISR) between the load at which the thickness is 25% compressed when pressed with the above dimensioned pressure plate (25%-strain load) and a load at which the thickness is 5% compressed when pressed with the pressure plate (5%-strain load) is selected to be at least about 4. Such design provides comfortable seating and resistance against fatigue even during periods of extended driving, and can be prepared at a low cost with a large degree of design freedom.

Abstract: A light-weight snowmobile seat has a rigid base section for mounting on a snowmobile. The base section has a closed-cell structure with cell walls and cell voids such that the base section is substantially light-weight. The closed-cell structure also resists absorbing water, insulates the rider from heat generated by the snowmobile, and muffles noise created by the snowmobile. The snowmobile seat has a flexible seat section for providing a cushioned seat. A space defining an air chamber is formed between the seat section and the base section. An air passage extends from the air chamber to allow air to exit. The seat section displaces into the air chamber as the user sits on the seat expelling air out through the air passage. Thus, the air chamber provides additional cushioning, and air is drawn into the seat as the user stands and expelled as the user sits, thus cycling air to help keep the seat dry. The snowmobile seat also has a waterproof cover for covering the base section and seat section.

Abstract: Lightweight, cost-effective composite seat back frames comprise braided carbon fiber reinforced attachment portions connected by braided, glass fiber-reinforced, generally U-shaped back portions, all these portions impregnated with a polymeric matrix resin. One or more of the braided glass or carbon fiber portions are preferably woven by a multiaxial weaving machine to maximize composite properties. The braids may be woven around a permanent or removable mandrel, and may contain pivot bushings or seat articulation hardware. The seat back frames thus produced are lighter than their aluminum counterparts.

Abstract: In forming a donut-like headrest under a foaming process, a sealing garnish element is provided, which includes a garnish portion and an edge abutment portion. Prior to a foaming step, the sealing garnish element is brought to a donut-like trim cover assembly and inserted fit in an annular opening formed in the annular inward wall region of the trim cover assembly, such that the edge portions of the annular opening are abutted against the edge abutment portion of sealing garnish element, while the garnish portion is attached on and along the annular inward wall region of trim cover assembly. Hence, during the foaming step, those edge abutment and garnish portions of sealing garnish element effectively prevents a liquid foaming base material injected in the trim cover assembly, against leakage from the annular opening.

Abstract: A generally annular or donut-like headrest for use on an automotive seat, which is formed by a donut-like trim cover assembly having an opening, a generally "U" shaped headrest frame and a sealing/connecting frame in an integral manner under a foaming process. The headrest frame is placed in the donut-like trim cover assembly, with two stay portions thereof projecting outwardly from the opening. The sealing/connecting frame has a groove and is connected between two stay portions of the headrest frame, such that the edge of that opening is fit engaged in the groove, which effectively prevents leakage of a liquid foaming base material through the opening during the foaming process. Further, a location element is provided on the two stay portions of headrest frame for limiting and locating the sealing/connecting frame at a predetermined point thereon with respect to the opening of trim cover assembly, which facilitates ease of a precise assembling and forming of the headrest under the foaming process.

Abstract: A car seat comprising a frame of polyolefin foam and a core of organic fibers held together by a binder.

Abstract: A light-weight vehicle seat, particularly well suited for snowmobiles, has a rigid base section for mounting on a vehicle. The base section has a closed-cell structure with cell walls and cell voids such that the base section is substantially light-weight. The closed-cell structure also resists absorbing water, insulates the rider from heat generated by the vehicle, and muffles noise created by the vehicle. The vehicle seat has a flexible seat section for providing a cushioned seat. The vehicle seat also has a waterproof cover for covering the base section and seat section. The vehicle seat is preferably attached to the vehicle with hook-and-loop type fasteners. A utility cavity is formed in the seat. Alternatively, the seat section may be removably disposed on the base section and seat sections of various flexibility provided to suit the weight of the rider.

Abstract: A seat cushion comprises a cushion main body formed of a polyurethane molded foam; a seat member formed of a slab flexible polyurethane foam; and a sheet having a gas permeability; wherein part of a foamable liquid for forming the polyurethane molded foam permeates in the sheet and the seat member, and is foamed when the foamable liquid having not permeated in the sheet and the seat member is foam molded, whereby the seat member is integrated with a seat surface portion of the cushion main body through the sheet.

Abstract: A structure of donut-like headrest or the so-called "see-through-type headrest", wherein a headrest frame is provided, which has two spaced-apart stay portions and a head support portion larger in width than the two stay portions. Between those two stay and headrest support portions, there are defined a pair of spaced-apart slant portions. A connecting frame is connected between such pair of spaced-apart slant portions. Both of the head support portion and connecting frame are placed within a donut-like headrest body or trim cover assembly such as to surround the through-hole thereof in good proportion, with both two stay portions projecting externally from the headrest body.

Abstract: A passenger seat having trim cover attachment structure includes a frame element, vehicle anchorage structure connected to the frame element, and a seat body having a resilient material fixed with respect to the frame element. Trim cover attachment structure is provided and includes a relatively high density, rigid foam member having a groove disposed in a surface thereof. The groove is capable of receiving connection structure included in the trim cover.

Abstract: A novel, lightweight portable seat cushion using low-to-medium density cellular elastomer foams with pressure-reducing properties to maximize user comfort and a method for manufacturing one configuration of said cushion.

Abstract: An assembly and attachment of cushions wherein premolded skins of elastomeric materials are bonded together. In a first embodiment, a thin layer of elastomer is added at the points of connection of the elastomeric skins. In a second embodiment, the cushion formed by the attachment of two elastomeric skins is mounted to a receiving surface by a layer of elastomer formed between one elastomeric skin and a receiving indentation integrally formed in the skin. A third embodiment reinforces the mounting arrangement of the second embodiment by positioning an O-ring around the indentation. A fourth embodiment uses a layer of elastomer formed between one elastomeric skin and the receiving indentation and the O-ring reinforces the mounting arrangement. A method for bonding together premolded skins of elastomeric material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat having a base and a seating section. The seat section has an upwardly inclined portion, a substantially horizontal portion and an inclined support portion. The inclined portion supports the femurs of a person so that the femurs and knees are supported in a position below the person's acetabulum, the horizontal portion receives and holds the ischial bones and the inclined portion supports a person's gluteal muscles and sacro-illiac ligaments. The seat has a backrest to support a person between the second and third lumbar vertebrae when a person is seated on the apparatus. The backrest has a support surface which is positioned between the rear of the seat and the first intermediate positions so that the person's gluteal muscles can extend behind the support surface between the rear of the seat portion and the support surface of the backrest.

Abstract: A combination hearth seat and child protector includes a rigid internal frame consisting of a top and front piece having a first layer of stiff foam adhered to the upper surfaces of the frame. A fire retardant material covers the foam and surrounds the entire frame. The protector is dimensioned to extend the entire long length of the hearth, while extending 3/4 to 2/3 of the short length of the hearth from the edge opposite the firebox therein. In a second embodiment, the internal frame includes side pieces. A second layer of foam surrounds the first layer of foam and also extends about the underside of the end pieces. The fabric is then placed about the second layer of foam. The side pieces have a beveled end that fits over the sides of the hearth. The compression of the second foam layer and the beveled end pieces combine to create a compression or snap-on feature to keep the seat snugly thereon. The second layer of foam may extend about the underside of the front piece as well.

Abstract: A seat cushion system that reduces the vertical impact to the seat occupant within the space and cost constraints of existing seat support structures. In one embodiment, the seat cushion employs a series of layers of varying density and lateral displacement foams with a rigid or semi-rigid material within the cushion. Each layer of foam can change in both density and lateral displacement depending on the volumetric space available. Another embodiment demonstrates how only two layers of differing densities and lateral displacement can greatly reduce the impact force from vertical thrust.

Abstract: A cushion body (10) for forming a car seat, which facilitates attachment of a skin material (15) to a cushion material (11).The cushion body (10) is made by attaching a planar fastening body (12) in a cushion material molding die (20) and unifying with the cushion material (11) along a three-dimensional curved surface shape of an interior surface of the die by an internal foamed molding pressure of the cushion material (11). The planar fastening body (12) is made of a planar fastening material (13) connecting with a supporting material (14) which is basically the same composition as the cushion material (11).

Abstract: A headrest of the type rotatable forwards and backwards relative to a headrest stay, which comprises a trim cover assembly of a box-like configuration, a frame disposed in the trim cover assembly, the frame being rotatably connected to the headrest stay, with the headrest stay passing through the trim cover assembly, and a foam cushion member which is formed by a foaming process together with the frame within the trim cover assembly. The trim cover assembly includes a pair of folded extensions folded generally at a right angle therefrom and extending inwardly thereof, which are defined at a point where the headrest stay passes through the trim cover assembly. Such pair of folded extensions have, defined therein, openings designed not only to prevent leakage of a liquid foaming base material from the trim cover assembly during the foaming process, but also allow the fore-and-aft rotation of headrest relative to the headrest stay.

Abstract: A new and improved modular furniture design using a solid block of expanded polystyrene as a core for the furniture. This improved design combines the structural rigidity of a solid core with the light weight of plastic foam construction.

Abstract: A method of integrally bonding a foam seat pad or other article to a cover material, includes steps of coating a main surface of the pad with a heat activated adhesive. Then, the pad is affixed to an upper mounting member. A lower mounting member is positioned opposite the upper mounting member and the cover material is disposed on the lower mounting member. Heating is applied to the adhesive coating the main surface of the pad, and when sufficient heat is applied the upper and lower mounting members are pressed together for a predetermined time period. Clamps are provided on the mounting members for surely positioning the pad relative the cover material. Thus, accurate positioning and strong bonding are reliably assured.

Abstract: A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an outer skin layer, which covers the seat cushion or seat back. The seat cushion or seat back is integrally formed with a fastener disposed on a main surface portion thereof. The main surface portion has an underlayer disposed under an overlayer, which includes an outerskin surface, freely disposed over the underlayer. The overlayer and the underlayer are joined only along common edge portions thereof while the surface areas thereof are not attached. The lower side of the second underlayer is affixed to the fastener disposed on the seat cushion or seat back. Each of the skin layer and the overlayer and underlayer may be of two or three ply construction including a backing material and a wadding layer. This construction allows high assembly efficiency with a reduced number of parts. Further, disassembly of seat components for recycling is also simplified while enhanced appearance of the installed seat cover is easily accomplished.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a contoured vehicle seat bottom and a foam layer disposed over the supporting vehicle seat bottom and supported by the supporting vehicle seat bottom. The foam layer has a rate sensitive compression characteristic. The rate sensitive compression characteristic is a compressive response to a slow application and a rigid response to a rapid application of force. To adapt an existing seat bucket to the desired configuration, a rigid foam layer may be molded within the supporting vehicle seat bottom. This rigid foam layer is contoured and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal. Seat belts having a pretensioner device are also provided. The pretensioner device is controlled according to both a frontal crash sensor and a vehicle-off ground control system to couple occupant to the seat bottom prior to a wheels first landing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cushion for supporting the lumbar area of the back of a person while seated in a chair. The cushion is suitable for use with different types of chairs and is comprised of an elongated strip of flexible material that drapes over the chair back and has a weight on one end thereof to allow easy adjustment of the cushion and a pad of foamed cushion material at the other end. The pad of foamed cushion material is adapted to fit between the chair back and the lumbar area of the back of the seated person and is preferably made of a heat sensitive plastic foam that will mold itself to conform to the shape of the lumbar area of the user's back from the body heat of the person seated in the chair.

Abstract: A seat padding, in particular for a motor vehicle seat backrest, includes a foam block whose support face has a recess closed by a base towards the opposite face, and filled with an insert of material permeable to air and/or moisture. The recess is arranged between two lining return grooves defining two re-entrant lines in the cover surrounding the padding and symmetrical with respect to the vertical mid-plane of the padding. The recess is separated from the grooves by two respective shoulders made of a hard foam.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle passenger seat is described. The seat includes a frame element made from a relatively high density rigid foam, a vehicle anchorage connector and a seat body including a resilient material fixed with respect to the frame element. The vehicle anchorage connecter serves to anchor the seat to the automotive vehicle. The seat obviates the need for a metal frame thereby reducing the cost and weight of the seat, and improving the recyclability thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the seat further includes a pelvic support element which acts as an anti-submarine device.

Abstract: An upholstery layer for a motor vehicle seat is provided in a preferred embodiment with a resilient bottom layer, for example of foam and/or rubberized hair, and on top of this a buffer layer covered by a seat cover fabric. The buffer layer consists of at least two further layers connected to each other in an almost nondisplaceable manner. One of these top layers is made from a particularly elastic material, and a layer situated beneath this or an intermediate layer is made from a less elastic steam-permeable material which supports the upper layer.

Abstract: A seat including: (A) a shell including a front surface, the front surface of the shell including a channel formed in the shell, the channel including an inner wall and an outer wall and having a shape; (B) a cushion including a rear surface, the rear surface of the cushion including a ridge extending rearwardly from the cushion, the ridge (1) having a shape which compliments the shape of the channel and (2) extending into the channel; and (C) mechanical fasteners extending through the outer wall of the channel, though the ridge and into the inner wall of the channel so as to retain the cushion on the shell. The mechanical fasteners do not extend all the way through the inner wall.

Abstract: A load bearing structure with a base and an array of load bearing members, each load bearing member having the general form of a cantilevered beam and made of a resilient material, and having a tip, generally front and back faces, and a bottom, the bottom for interengaging the load bearing member and the load bearing structure. The beam generally increases in thickness from tip to bottom, and both faces are generally planar. The plane of the face and of the back join at an angle .beta., and the plane of the back is disposed to the plane of the bottom at an angle .alpha..

Abstract: A composite cover material to be used for making an integrally foamed article comprises a permeable fabric (10) and a thin layer of latex foam (15) strongly bonded via bonding zone (17) to said fabric. The latex foam layer (15) is made by applying high molecular latex material such as rubbers or synthetic resins as coating to back surface (12) of said fabric, and permitting said latex material to foam and cure. The latex foam has relatively fine mechanical open cells (18) in its internal part and further finer open cells (20) near its outer surface skin (22) which is permeable by virtue of minute holes (21) formed therein. The skin (22), though permeable by minutes holes, can serve as substantially flat and smooth barrier surface against liquid foamable mixtures poured directly onto said skin for making body foam (25) so as to guide slidingly said mixtures therealong and also prevent substantial impregnation into said latex foam.

Abstract: An integral lower back pressure relief cushion with a substantially U-shaped aperture at the lower portion of the cushion open at the bottom and extending from the front to the rear of the cushion, such that the sacral and coccyx areas of the user are free from pressure contact while the portions of the cushion on either side of the aperture support the posterior superior iliac spine of the user, the cushion comprising at least three segments of resilient material, a removable convex shape in the front side above the aperture, and the rear side having a convex side and support base.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam wheelchair cushion comprises first, second, third and fourth elements. The first element extends across the front portion of the cushion and is made of a relatively stiff foam. The second element is centered near the back portion of the cushion and is made of a foam with a lower stiffness than the first element. Third and fourth elements are on either side of the second element and are made of a foam having an intermediate stiffness between the first element and the second element. Transition surfaces between the second and third and fourth elements are angled relative to a vertical plane. Such an angled transition surface provides a gradual change in stiffness in the vertical direction between materials of different stiffnesses. The top surface of the first element is oriented relative to the second element so that the user's ischial tuberosities will be located approximately 1.5 inches lower than the back surface of the user's thighs when the user is sitting in the wheelchair cushion.

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: A die for pressingly bonding a foam padding to a covering member of assemblage of a vehicle seat, the foam padding being of a one-side-opened type having a hollow therein, which die includes an upper die comprising a main die portion and a movable die member connected hingedly thereto. The movability of such die member allows easy securement of the foam padding to the upper die, as the movable die member is easily inserted into the hollow of the padding, thereby allowing further insertion of the upper die on the whole into within the padding. When pressing the padding against the covering member by use of the upper die, the movable die member is moved within the padding to a position on the same horizontal line with the main die portion, giving a pressure evenly both padding and covering member for effective bonding of them.

Abstract: An assist fixture is provided to clamp about a seat assembly, whereupon each are immersed into pressed relation against a heated fluidized bed. The seat assembly includes a preformed flexible pad having an appearance surface and a cover adapted to be adhesively bonded to the pad during the immersion. The assist fixture includes tubular members which press the cover into preformed indentations in the appearance face of the pad to assist in enhancing surface definition, the tubular members being adapted to pass hot or cold air depending on the stage of the process.

Abstract: A seat for use in a vehicle is disclosed which is flame resistant. The seat comprises a foam plastic cushion having an supporting member of open cell resilient foam, an intermediate layer of high temperature-resistant threads forming a network, and a flame-proof layer of an open-cell resilient foam impregnated with a liquid flame proofing agent. The supporting member and the intermediate layer are bonded by an adhesive. A flame-resistant upholstery material covers the seat surface. A facing layer of flame-proof fabric is applied to the supporting member on the underside of the cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat head restraint has a framework stiffened resilient core and a fabric covering formed from at least one three-dimensional knitted fabric piece secured around the core.

Abstract: An improved seat cover for use with automobile, truck or other type vehicle seats for improved comfort, heat reduction and to avoid user perspiration, said seat cover including reversible terrycloth fabric sheets that include a foam padding disposed therebetween, said foam padding being separated by individual longitudinal chambers, and said seat cover including a plurality of mounting straps firmly connecting the seat cover to the vehicle seat by flexible, stretchable bungee cords. The seat cover includes a plurality of lateral and longitudinal rods that ensure form and configuration stability. A very thin foam cell sheet is used between the outer portions of the seat cover and vehicle seat to prevent lateral movement of the seat cover.

Abstract: A seat cushion for use in a wheelchair comprises a shaped tray and a filled envelope. The envelope is filled with a fluid like material which is flowably displaceable under the weight of a user. The shaped tray comprises a recess for receiving the buttocks region of the user as well as a front edge over which the legs of the user extend. A back wedge is mounted along a back edge of the tray and keeps the filled envelope from sliding over the back edge of the tray. Further, side wings located at the sides of the shaped tray near its front edge help constrain the legs of the wheelchair user in a generally forward direction within the width of the wheelchair seat. Side wedges mounted on the underside of the seat are selectively removable to accommodate the presence of a cross brace mechanism, as is commonly used in drop seat wheelchairs.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a seat by using adhesives in which an air permeable skin material and a cushioning pad are bonded to each other by means of reactive hot-melt adhesives, the method comprises a step of coating adhesives to the cushioning pad, a step of provisionally assembling the skin material to the cushioning pad from the side of the adhesive coating surface, a step of setting the provisionally assembled cushioning pad and skin material to an attaching die, a step of applying heating by a heating die to the skin material and the cushioning pad attached in the attaching die assembling step from the side of the skin material and a step of applying cooling under pressure by a cooling die from the surface of the skin material subsequent to the heating step. A seat comprising a skin material and a cushioning pad can be molded with a seat frame by this method.

Abstract: A padded element of a motor-vehicle seat is made applying a cover onto a padding body by pressing with simultaneous application of steam. The covering fabric is provided on a lower mould with the back side thereof facing upwardly and the padding body is pressed against this back side by an upper mould. The upper mould includes a plurality of cannulae for steam injection, which project downwardly from the upper mould and are introduced through the padding body and have their steam outlet lower ends located inside this body adjacent to the surface thereof.

Abstract: A location board in a covering member of a vehicle seat, which is used in such a seat assemblage which involves bonding at least two cover sections of a covering member to a cushion member and is of such type that can be teared along the sewn jointed portion of those two cover sections for attaining a resultant seat. The location board is formed with a notched portion laying along an imaginary sewing line. In the seat assemblage, the two cover sections of covering member are sewn to one section of the location board, thus forming a series of sewing holes in the location board. The notched portion is elongated in reference to the sewing holes at such a length that permits a tearing to occur from the notched portion towards the sewing holes in a direction to prevent creation of a pointed projection at the teared edge of residual section of location board in the resultant seat at a stage of tearing off another section of the same location board.

Abstract: Novel composites are formed from a low rigidity gelatinous elastomer composition of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer and high levels of a plasticizing oil. The gelatinous elastomer composition is physically interlocked with an open cell sponge thereby displacing the air space within the sponge and the gel rigidity is found to be greater than about the sum of the combined rigidity of the gelatinous elastomer composition and sponge alone. The gelatinous elastomer composite exhibits a novel combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous elastomer composites can be made firm or soft and flexible.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a trim cover assembly for an automotive seat, wherein a top cover layer is stretched and pressed on a lower die by plural upper die elements in the outward direction and symmetrically relative to a central line of the lower die, to thereby place the top cover layer without clearance and slackened area therein, upon the lower die, and then a foam wadding and a wadding cover are fixed to the thus-pressed top cover layer. Thus, the resulting trim cove assembly is formed with a clear-cut or very distinct pattern of recessed grooves thereon.

Abstract: Novel gelatinous compositions and articles are formed from an intimate melt blend admixture of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer and high levels of a plasticizing oil.The gelatinous composition is transparent and have a novel combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous products of this invention are soft, flexible, and have elastic memory, characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram to about 700 gram Bloom. These and other properties are particularly essential for the gelatinous composition to have utility as toys, therapeutic hand exercising grips, shock absorbers, acoustical isolators, components for cushions, and other uses.

Abstract: A seat cushion is described which has particular utility as a wheelchair seat cushion. The seat cushion includes a base layer of polyurethane foam with a front edge of greater height than the rear edge so as to define a downwardly sloping upper surface. The base layer supports an essentially constant thickness intermediate layer which is less firm than the base layer. The intermediate layer has a pair of laterally spaced recesses formed in the forward end of the intermediate layer which curve both upwardly and inwardly from the front edge of the intermediate layer. A top layer is secured to the intermediate layer and has a constant thickness. The top layer is formed of foam material which is less firm (e.g., a lower 65% IFD value) than the foam forming the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is formed of a foam which is less firm (e.g., a lower 65% IFD value) than the material forming the base layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary foam seat cushion (10) that is configured and arranged to eliminate contact pressure on the rectal, perineal and genital regions of a person seated on the seat cushion without subjecting the perineal region to substantial stress or tension. The seat cushion includes a base (12) and two upwardly projecting elongate support members (16 and 18). The support members are of an arcuate (upwardly extending convex) cross-sectional geometry and are positioned in parallel spaced apart relationship for support of the ischia and thighs. Located between the support members is a channel (14) that extends downwardly into the seat cushion to form a void that prevents exertion of contact pressure on the rectal, perineal and genital areas. The portions (30 and 32) of the support members nearest the knees of a seated person taper downwardly for improved weight distribution and comfort of a person seated on the seat cushion.