Cushioning device and method of cushioning a body
OwnerJeffrey W. Wilkinsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a cushioning device that includes a plurality of fluid cells each containing a reforming element and a fluid for supporting a load. The cushioning device further includes a manifold system interconnecting the plurality of fluid cells and an exhaust system including a first and a second exhaust reservoir connected in series to the plurality of envelopes. The cushioning device further includes a pressure relief valve and a check valve separating the first and second exhaust reservoirs. Further disclosed is a method of cushioning a body with a cushioning device.
Claims25
A cushioning device comprising:
- a plurality of fluid cells each containing a reforming element and a fluid for supporting a load;
- a manifold system interconnecting the plurality of fluid cells;
- an exhaust system including a first and a second exhaust reservoir connected in series to each other, the exhaust system configured to receive exhausted air from the plurality of fluid cells when the plurality of fluid cells are subjected to the load;
- and
- wherein the first and second exhaust reservoirs are connected with a pressure relief valve allowing fluid to escape from the first exhaust reservoir to the second exhaust reservoir when the pressure in the first exhaust reservoir exceeds a threshold and a check valve allowing fluid to flow back from the second exhaust reservoir to the first exhaust reservoir.
A cushioning device comprising:
- a plurality of fluid cells, each of the fluid cells including a reforming element;
- a manifold system interconnecting the plurality of fluid cells;
- a first exhaust reservoir connected in series to the plurality of fluid cells with a first pressure relief valve and a first check valve;
- and
- a second exhaust reservoir directly connected in series to the first exhaust reservoir with a second pressure relief valve and a second check valve;
- wherein when the pressure in the plurality of fluid in the plurality of fluid cells reaches a first predetermined level, the first pressure relief valve opens and exhausts fluid into the first exhaust reservoir, and wherein when the pressure in the first exhaust reservoir reaches a second predetermined level, the second pressure relief valve opens and exhausts fluid into the second exhaust reservoir and wherein the first check valve allows fluid to return to the plurality of fluid cells and wherein the second check valve allows fluid to return from the second exhaust reservoir to the first exhaust reservoir.
A method of cushioning a body comprising:
- providing a cushion including a plurality of fluid cells each containing a reforming element and a fluid for supporting a load, a manifold system interconnecting the plurality of fluid cells and an exhaust system including a first exhaust reservoir and a second exhaust reservoir connected in series to each other;
- automatically exhausting fluid from the plurality of fluid cells to the first exhaust reservoir when a load is applied on the plurality of fluid cells;
- automatically exhausting fluid from the first exhaust reservoir to the second exhaust reservoir when pressure in the first exhaust reservoir reaches a predetermined pressure with a pressure relief valve that directly connects the first exhaust reservoir and the second exhaust reservoir;
- and
- automatically returning fluid from the second exhaust reservoir to the first exhaust reservoir when a load is removed from the plurality of fluid cells with a check valve that directly connects the first exhaust reservoir and the second exhaust reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.