US 5,330,249 A · Cushion for absorbing shock, damping vibration and distributing pressure

Abstract

There is disclosed a cushion for absorbing energy to dampen vibration, distribute pressure and absorb shock. The cushion has a deformable polyurethane bladder which defines a chamber adapted to contain a fluid, such as air. A piece of viscoelastic material, such as a highly plasticized PVC gel, may be located inside the bladder so that when air is introduced into the chamber, the cushion is capable of absorbing energy to dampen low amplitude vibration, distribute pressure and absorb high amplitude shock. The cushion has a valve in fluid communication with the chamber for selectively varying the amount of air so that the shock absorbing capability of the cushion may be varied. Various embodiments incorporating the cushion are disclosed, including a removable bicycle saddle pad, a bicycle saddle, a wheelchair seat pad and a cyclist's glove.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A bicycle saddle comprising:

a saddle base having a top surface defining a horn area and a rear area;
a cushion for dampening vibration, distributing pressure and absorbing shock, the cushion disposed on the top surface of the saddle base and including:
(a) a deformable bladder having a chamber adapted to contain a fluid;
and
(b) a viscoelastic material disposed within the chamber, the viscoelastic material being a gel comprising a minor portion of polyvinylchloride resin and a major portion of dialkyl phthalate plasticizer in a weight ratio of plasticizer to resin of from about 7:1 to about 10:1;
and
valve means for selectively varying the amount of fluid in the chamber to enable the shock capability of the cushion to be varied.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cushion for absorbing shock, damping vibration and distributing pressure

Life of this patent

Cushion for absorbing shock, damping vibration and distributing pressure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6