Back to results
US 6,671,911 B1Granted
Continuous wave cushioned support
AssigneeHill Engineering, Inc.
InventorsCharles C. Hill, Theodore B. Hill, Carly A. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Multiple foam-filled cells form a cushioned support surface of a seat or mattress. Individual cells may be collapsed by connection through a manifold and valve to a vacuum source. The collapsed cell essentially removes contact pressure in a localized area of the person supported on the surface and restores localized blood flow. After a pre-determined time interval, atmospheric pressure is readmitted to the cell.
Claims19
An active cushioning support incorporating an upper body cushioning and support surface wherein:
- a plurality of active cells each having an active body support surface and an attachment surface, each cell comprising a substantially fluid impermeable membrane enclosing an active cushion volume;
- a supporting surface for supporting said cells and the weight supported on said body contacting surface;
- passive cushioning foam positioned below the nominal upper surface of a plurality of said active cells;
- a vacuum source connected selectively to the active cushioning volume of a plurality of said active cells to cause the collapse of the active cushioning volume to retract said body contacting surface;
- a manifold for distributing vacuum pressure to selected cells comprising distribution channels structurally isolated from said active cells to prevent interruption of the flow of vacuum in said channels by the action of the collapse of one or more of said active cells under the influence of vacuum or the weight of said body on said surface;
- at least one vacuum distribution valve for periodically connecting and disconnecting one or more manifold distribution channels to said source of vacuum to successively collapse selected cells by application of the vacuum and then re-inflate of said selected cells by venting each said selected cell to atmosphere or cross manifolding said selected cell to one said cell being collapsed, said selected cells consisting of a minority of the cells.
3 more elements
The cushioning support of claim, 1 wherein:
- the vacuum distribution valve comprises at least one rotary motor-driven valve with multiple vacuum ports that are connected in a sequence determined by the rotary position of the valve.
An active cushioning support for a chair seat incorporating an upper body cushioning and support surface wherein:
- said chair seat is supported from seat support structure eight or more active cells each having an active body support surface and an attachment surface,
- each cell comprising a substantially fluid impermeable membrane enclosing an active cushion volume;
- a seat supporting surface with a width-wise contour for supporting said cells and the weight supported on said body contacting surface;
- a seat undersurface passive cushioning foam positioned below the nominal upper surface of a plurality of said active cells;
- a vacuum pump connected selectively to the active cushioning volume of a plurality of said active cells to cause the collapse of the active cushioning volume to retract said body contacting surface;
- a rechargeable battery for powering said vacuum pump and mounted on said seat support structure or seat undersurface;
- a manifold for distributing vacuum pressure to selected cells comprising distribution channels structurally isolated from said active cells to prevent interruption of the flow of vacuum in said channels by the action of the collapse of one or more of said active cells under the influence of vacuum or the weight of said body on said surface;
- at least one vacuum distribution valve for periodically connecting and disconnecting one or more manifold distribution channels to said source of vacuum to successively collapse selected cells by application of the vacuum and then re-inflate of said selected cells by venting each said selected cell to atmosphere or cross manifolding said selected cell to one said cell being collapsed, said selected cells consisting of a minority of the cells.
5 more elements
An active cushioning support wherein:
- a plurality of active cells having an active support surface and an attachment surface, each cell comprising substantially fluid impermeable membrane enclosing an active cushion volume;
- a supporting surface for supporting said cells and the weight supported on said support surface;
- a vacuum source connected selectively to the active cushioning volume of a plurality of said active cells to cause the collapse of the active cushioning volume to retract said support surface;
- a manifold for distributing vacuum pressure to selected cells comprising distribution channels;
- and
- at least one vacuum distribution valve for periodically connecting and disconnecting one or more manifold distribution channels to said source of vacuum to successively collapse selected cells by application of the vacuum and then re-inflate of said selected cells by venting each said selected cell to atmosphere or cross manifolding said selected cell to one said cell being collapsed, said selected cells consisting of a minority of the cells.
3 more elements
An active cushioning support for a chair seat incorporating a cushioning and support surface wherein:
- said chair seat is supported from seat support structure with eight or more active cells each having an active support surface and an attachment surface;
- each cell comprising a substantially fluid impermeable membrane enclosing an active cushion volume;
- a vacuum pump connected selectively to the active cushioning volume of a plurality of said active cells to cause the collapse of the active cushioning volume to retract said body contacting surface;
- a rechargeable battery for powering said vacuum pump and mounted on said seat support structure or seat undersurface;
- a manifold for distributing vacuum pressure to selected cells comprising distribution channels;
- and
- at least one vacuum distribution valve for periodically connecting and disconnecting one or more manifold distribution channels to said source of vacuum to successively collapse selected cells by application of the vacuum and then re-inflate of said selected cells by venting each said selected cell to atmosphere or cross manifolding said selected cell to one said cell being collapsed, said selected cells consisting of a minority of the cells.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.