Self-adjusting pressure relief seating system and methodology

A self-adjusting pressure relief patient seating support system for use with a wheelchair, comprising:

• a main support body for receiving a patient generally seated thereon and having at least two adjustable fluid support bladders with fluid therein;
• and
• a pair of constant force fluid reservoir means mounted below said main support body, in respective fluid communication with said fluid support bladders, for automatically adjusting said bladders using potential energy so as to maintain a generally constant predetermined internal pressure respectively in each of said bladders responsive to changing patient loading on said main support body;
• and
• wherein said pair of constant force fluid reservoir means each include a reservoir and pivoting actuation plate functionally operative therewith, with such plate being adapted for pivoting from adjacent a lateral side of a wheelchair so that the pivoting free ends of such plates may be situated towards the middle of a wheelchair beneath said main support body so as to not interfere with structural supports of a wheelchair with which said patient seating support system is used.

A sectionalized seating support arrangement with multiple independently acting support sections, comprising:

• a main support body having a predetermined arrangement of independently adjustable resilient chambers with fluid and resilient foam in each of such chambers, and with the shape and size of each chamber defining a corresponding independently acting support section;
• and
• a plurality of constant force fluid reservoir means, each being respectively in fluid communication with a respective one of said chambers, for automatically adjusting such respective one chamber using potential energy so as to independently maintain a generally constant predetermined internal pressure in such respective one chamber responsive to changing loading on said main support body;
• and
• wherein said main support body comprises a seating arrangement including one of such as for a wheelchair, a geriatric care chair, a specialized patient care chair, an ergonomic chair, and a seat in a transportation vehicle.

A patient seating support system for use with a wheelchair having lateral support rails for attachment of said system thereto and with wheelchair support braces therebeneath, said system comprising:

• a support base with attachment means for securing said base in a generally horizontal position on a wheelchair;
• at least three independently adjustable resilient support chambers received on an upper surface of said support base, each such chamber comprising an air-tight sealable envelope with fluid and resilient foam therein, with each such chamber having a fluid interconnection port for accessing the interior thereof, and said three chambers being disposed on such support base upper surface in generally left, right, and rear central positions thereon;
• at least a pair of constant force fluid reservoir means, received on a lower surface of said support base, and in fluid communication with said ports of at least two of said support chambers, for automatically adjusting said at least two chambers so as to maintain a generally constant predetermined internal pressure in said at least two chambers responsive to changing patient loading;
• and
• wherein said pair of constant force fluid reservoir means each include a reservoir and associated pivoting actuation plate with a mounted end thereof pivotally mounted beneath said support base and further having a free pivoting end thereof, so as to pivot towards the central portion of said base to avoid interference with the support braces of the wheelchair.