US 6,014,784 A · Portable system for generating variable pressure point body support

Abstract

A system supporting a cushion, containing a plurality of covered inflatable air bladders and the controls and means for inflating the bladders. Bladders may be arranged in two or more arrays and controlled so that each array is inflated and deflated at different times than are other arrays. This provides continuously variable pressure points for a cushion which supports a person. A re-programable microprocessor controls the sequence and timing of array inflation which can be selected to suit individual needs. An included rechargeable battery provides power for at least 16 hours operation and enables easy system portability. The system may be used in cushioning for wheelchairs, and for many other seating and support applications, including support for animals. It includes a remote control/alarm panel with an on/off switch and audio/visual alarms warning of power or other system failure. The system is simply constructed using mostly n0n-specialized components and materials, and is therefore relatively inexpensive.

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Drawings

Claims12

Dependent claims

A system for generating constantly changing pressure points for a cushion supporting a person or animal, said system, in combination comprising;

(a) a rigid support member;
(b) a first bladder array comprising a multiplicity of inflatable bladders which are arranged in rows and supported by said support member;
(c) a second bladder array comprising a multiplicity of inflatable bladders which are arranged with each bladder located alternately between the rows of said first bladder array and supported by said support member;
(d) a multiplicity of cloth covers;
a cover separately covering each bladder in said first bladder array and in said second bladder array, said covers being fastened to said support member and sized to contain a fully inflated bladder under each cover;
(e) a first air manifold for supplying said first bladder array, all bladders in said first bladder array being connected in parallel to said first air manifold;
(f) a second air manifold for supplying said second bladder array, all bladders in said second bladder array being connected in parallel to said second air manifold;
(g) air pump means for supplying regulated pressured air to said first air manifold and said second air manifold;
(h) means for switching pressured air input from said air pump means to said first air manifold or to said second air manifold on command, for air inflation of said bladders;
(i) means for bleeding pressured air from said first air manifold and said second air manifold on command;
(j) a rechargeable battery power supply, said battery power supply being sized to supply at least 16 hours system operating time before need to be recharged;
(k) first means for system control, said first means including control circuits comprising:
a power on/off switching circuit;
a voltage regulator circuit which is enabled by said power on/off switching circuit;
second means for timing and cycling control, said second means including a re-programable microprocessor that is programed for controlling the inflation cycling of the bladders in said first bladder array and said second bladder array in any pre-determined sequence and time intervals to vary the pressure and points of support applied to a supported body through a cushion;
third means for system failure sensing, said third means including circuits that sense for system over-temperature or over/undervoltage conditions and command a system shut down if any such conditions are found;
an alarm generating circuit connected to said third means and producing alarm activation signals when required;
a pressure regulator circuit connected to said air pump means and to said second means;
an air pump drive circuit connected to said second means and to said pressure regulator circuit;
a servo drive circuit connected to said second means;
and
a battery charging circuit for recharging said battery power supply from an external power source;
and
(l) means for remotely energizing the system and announcing system alarms to a user.

21 more elements

A system for generating constantly changing pressure points for cushions supporting a person or animal, said system in combination comprising:

a first section including a rigid support member, said support member having an internal cavity sized to enclose a system control and activation module with clearance;
a second section including a plurality of bladder arrays, said bladder arrays each comprising a plurality of air inflatable bladders, said second section being supported by said support member, said bladder arrays being disposed so that individual inflatable bladders in any one array are located alternately, side by side with individual inflatable bladders in other arrays, permitting variation in the location of fully inflated bladders and applied pressure areas, said inflatable bladders each being separately covered by a cloth cover and thereby fastened to said support member;
a third section including a plurality of air manifolds for supplying pressured air to said bladder arrays, the quantity of manifolds corresponding to the quantity of bladder arrays;
a fourth section including a system control and activation module containing and comprising:
air pump means for supplying regulated pressured air to said plurality of air manifolds;
means for switching pressured air input from said air pump means to any selected bladder arrays via air manifolds, on command for air inflation of said bladders;
means for bleeding pressured air from any selected bladder arrays via air manifolds, on command;
a rechargeable battery power supply, said battery power supply being sized to supply at least 16 hours system operating time before need to be recharged;
a first means for system control, said first means including control circuits comprising:
a power on/off switching circuit;
a voltage regulator circuit which is enabled by said power on/off switching circuit;
a re-programable microprocessor that is programed for controlling the inflation cycling of the bladders in each bladder array in any pre-determined sequence and time intervals to vary the pressure and points of support applied to a supported body through a cushion;
second means for system failure sensing, said second means including circuits that sense for system over-temperature or over/undervoltage conditions and command a system shut down if any such conditions are found;
an alarm generating circuit connected to said second means and producing alarm activation signals when required;
a pressure regulator circuit connected to said air pump means and to said microprocessor;
an air pump drive circuit connected to said microprocessor and to said pressure regulator circuit;
a servo drive circuit connected to said microprocessor;
and a battery charging circuit for recharging said battery power supply from an external power source;
and
a remote control and alarm panel for energizing the system and announcing alarms to a user.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,563 words

Summary860 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to systems providing cushioned body support for people, and more particularly, to a system generating variable pressure point body support.

#2. Background

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cushion which is partly cut away to show an incorporated embodiment of the invention system for generating variable pressure point body support;

#FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the system according to the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing the relationships of the control circuits forming part of the system block diagram in FIG. 2;

Detailed description3,548 words

#Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG.1 a perspective view of a cushion 1 that incorporates an embodiment of the invention system for generating variable pressure point body support. The cushion 1 shown is not part of the invention, but rather a means of containing the invention and transmitting the system generated pressure through the cushion as support for a body.

#The system configuratior illustrated in FIG. 1 relates particularly to a flat seat cushion for use in a wheelchair for invalided patients, or for a long-haul truck driver. In both cases, there is a need for constantly varying the pressure to areas supporting different locations on the buttocks of a seated person. This is performed by the invention system which applies variable pressure through a cushion top 18.

#The cushion 1 is cut away to show major system elements. These are: two arrays of inflatable air bladders 10 in this configuration, cloth covers 17 for each individual bladder 10, two air manifolds 13, 14, one connected to each array of bladders 10, a rigid support member base 15 on which the arrays of bladders are placed, a control/activation module 20, and a remote switch and alarm panel 5 which is connected 22 to the control/activation, module 20.

Portable system for generating variable pressure point body support

Life of this patent

Portable system for generating variable pressure point body support

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims12

Description4,563 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,563 words