# US 12,214,566 B2 · Method for manufacturing a cushion and cushion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,566 B2 - Document ID: US12214566B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/436,054 - Filed: 2020-03-04 - Published: 2022-06-02 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-04 - Assignees: Otto Bock Mobility Solutions GmbH - Applicants: Otto Bock Mobility Solutions GmbH - Inventors: Heinrich Perk; Sarah McCarvill; Arne Hothan; Johann-Christoph Müller; Frank Stefan Klingebiel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214566B2 ## CPC - A61G 5/1045: {for the seat portion} - B29D 99/0092: {Producing upholstery articles, e.g. cushions, seats (B29C63/025 takes precedence)} - A47C 23/002: {with separate resilient support elements, e.g. elastomeric springs arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern} - A47C 27/083: {with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors} - A47C 27/085: {of liquid type, e.g. filled with water or gel} - A47G 9/1027: {Details of inflatable pillows} - B29C 43/18: incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles {(B29C43/206 takes precedence)} - A61G 2203/34: for pressure - B29K 2105/04: cellular or porous - B29K 2995/0005: Conductive - B29K 2995/0046: Elastic - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for producing a cushion for an orthopedic device, the cushion having at least one fluid-filled volume, wherein the method includes compression molding of a three-dimensional first cushion component made of at least a first material, which is preferably elastic, in a mold that comprises an inner mold and an outer mold, and bonding the first cushion component to at least a second cushion component in such a way that the fluid-filled volume is created. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for producing a cushion for an orthopedic device, the cushion having more than one fluid-filled volume, wherein the fluid-filled volumes feature multiple chambers that are connected to each other via fluid connections, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) Compression molding of a three-dimensional first cushion component made of at least a first material, which is preferably elastic, in a mold that comprises an inner mold and an outer mold, b) Bonding the first cushion component to at least a second cushion component in such a way that the fluid-filled volumes are created. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises the following steps: a1) Filling the mold with raw material, a2) Pressing the raw material between the inner mold and outer mold, a3) Hardening or vulcanizing the raw material between the inner mold and the outer mold, thereby creating the first cushion component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cushion component and the second cushion component are designed as a single piece and produced during compression molding in step a) of the method. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second cushion component is a separate component to the first cushion component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cushion component and/or the second cushion component are made of several different materials that integrally bond, and in some cases, vulcanize, to one another during production. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cushion component and/or the at least one second cushion component has areas of different wall thicknesses and/or a surface with areas of different structure and/or roughness. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner mold and/or the outer mold is provided with a coating which is transferred to the first component during compression molding, the coating preferably being inserted into the mold and/or applied to the inner mold and/or the outer mold. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first material is a foaming material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor and/or at least one actuator and/or at least one functional element is introduced into the first cushion component and/or arranged on the first cushion component during compression molding of the first cushion component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein during compression molding an element of an electrically conductive material is introduced into the at least one first elastic material or the at least one first elastic material is electrically conductive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A cushion for an orthopedic device that is or can be produced by a method according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 A method for producing a cushion for an orthopedic device having more than one fluid-filled volume, wherein the fluid-filled volumes feature multiple chambers that are connected to each other via fluid connections, the method comprising the steps of: compression molding a three-dimensional first cushion component from at least a first material in a mold that comprises an inner mold and an outer mold by filling the mold with at least the first material, pressing the at least a first material between the inner mold and outer mold, hardening the raw material between the inner mold and the outer mold; and bonding the first cushion component to at least a second cushion component in such a way that the fluid-filled volumes are created, wherein the first cushion component and/or the at least one second cushion component has areas of different wall thicknesses and/or a surface with areas of different structure and/or roughness. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12 wherein the first cushion component and the second cushion component are designed as a single piece and produced during compression molding. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12 wherein the second cushion component is a separate component to the first cushion component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the inner mold and/or the outer mold is provided with a coating which is transferred to the first component during compression molding. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the first material is a foaming material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one sensor and/or at least one actuator and/or at least one functional element is introduced into the first cushion component and/or arranged on the first cushion component during compression molding of the first cushion component. ### Claim 18 A method for producing a cushion for an orthopedic device having more than one fluid-filled volume, wherein the fluid-filled volumes feature multiple chambers that are connected to each other via fluid connections, the method comprising the steps of: compression molding a three-dimensional first cushion component from at least a first foaming material in a mold that comprises an inner mold and an outer mold by filling the mold with at least the first material, pressing the at least a first material between the inner mold and outer mold, hardening the raw material between the inner mold and the outer mold; and bonding the first cushion component to at least a second cushion component in such a way that the fluid-filled volumes are created, wherein at least one sensor and/or at least one actuator and/or at least one functional element is introduced into the first cushion component and/or arranged on the first cushion component during compression molding of the first cushion component.