cushion

Abstract

A problem with many known cushions is that their internal cushioning tends to move unnecessarily out of place when compressed by the weight of the person using them, resulting in inadequate cushioning. The present invention addresses this problem by providing a cushion 1 having, in a preferred embodiment, at least two compartments 2 separated by a wall 3. Each compartment contains one or more bladders 5, each having a partial fluid fill of 5% to 35% of the bladders' volume. The cushion is configured to be openable to access the bladders and then closable. The cushion is also configured such that, when closed, the bladders cannot move into an adjacent one of the compartments, at least in part due to the wall.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion having a gas-filled bladder. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to use cushions, whether as separate items or forming part of a seat or mattress, to provide comfortable cushioning for people. Cushions may be used, for example, on wheelchairs or as part of wheelchairs, particularly as the backrest or seat base of the chair that receives the person's buttocks. A problem with many known cushions is that their internal cushioning tends to move significantly out of place when pressed down by the weight of the person using them, resulting in inadequate cushioning. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is an objective of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to go at least some way toward addressing the above-mentioned problems. While this applies to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the objectives of the invention itself are not so limited. The objectives of the present invention are merely to provide useful options. Accordingly, any objectives or advantages applicable to any preferred embodiment should not be read into or inferred from any broadly worded claim. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] definition When used herein with respect to a combination of features, the term "comprises" or "having" should not be construed as excluding the option of additional, unspecified features or steps, i.e., the term should not be interpreted in a limiting manner.

[0005] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a cushion comprising at least two compartments separated by a wall, each compartment having one or more bladders, each bladder containing a partial fill of fluid that is between 5% and 35% of the volume of the respective bladders, the cushion being openable to access the bladders and then closable, the cushion further being adapted, when closed, at least in part by the wall, to prevent movement of the bladders into an adjacent one of the compartments.

[0006] Optionally, the filling in one or more of said bags is between 10% and 20% of the volume of said one or more bags.

[0007] Optionally, the filling in one or more of said bags is between 15% and 25% of the volume of said one or more bags.

[0008] Optionally, the filling in one or more of said bags is between 10% and 15% of the volume of said one or more bags.

[0009] Optionally, the fluid comprises a gas.

[0010] Optionally, the fluid comprises air.

[0011] Optionally, the bag is permanently sealed so that fluid cannot be added to or removed from the bag.

[0012] Optionally, there are two, three, four, five or six compartments, each compartment having one or more of the bags described above.

[0013] Optionally, there are four compartments, each compartment having one or more of the bags described above.

[0014] Optionally, at least one of the compartments contains more bags than another one of the compartments.

[0015] Optionally, a seat is provided with one or more cushions.

[0016] Optionally, the one or more cushions form part of the back of the seat.

[0017] Optionally, the seat is in the form of a wheelchair.

[0018] Optionally, the cushion is large enough and has a sufficient number of compartments and bladders to provide a mattress.

[0019] Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cushion having a series of compartments. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the cushion. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the bladder forming portion of the cushion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, the cushion comprises a flexible fabric pouch 1 having four compartments 2 separated by flexible inner walls 3. In some embodiments, the compartments may be in the form of pockets. The approximate locations of the walls are indicated by dashed lines. The cushion also incorporates a zipper mechanism 4 around the sides that can be opened to expose the four compartments 2.

[0022] Within each compartment 2 are one or more air-filled bladders 5, as shown in cross section in Figure 2. One of the bladders is shown more fully in Figure 3, separated from the rest of the cushion.

[0023] The membrane 6 of each bag 5 is airtight and permanently sealed so that no further air can be added to or removed from it. Each bag is preferably valveless.

[0024] In each case, the membrane 6 may or may not have elastic properties thereto.

[0025] Preferably, each bladder 5 is filled with air to between 5% and 35% of its volume, i.e., potential volume, within its membrane 6. In some embodiments, this range may be narrower, such as between 10% and 25% or between 15% and 20%. Most preferably, each bladder is filled with air to between 10% and 15% of its volume.

[0026] In some embodiments, fluids other than air, such as alternative gases or liquids, may be used in one, some, or all of the bladders, however gases, and particularly air, are more preferred.

[0027] The cushions are configured so that each sack can move within its respective compartment 2 but cannot move to any other compartment 2. This limits the extent to which the cushions can compress and deform under the weight of the wearer during normal use.

[0028] One reason for only partially filling the bladder is so that the bladder is more flexible or provides softer cushioning during use. This also means that the cushion can more easily conform, at least partially, to the shape of the body of a person sitting or leaning on it. The degree of conformity can be proportional to the amount of weight or force exerted on the cushion.

[0029] The cushions can be used to provide customized cushioning to the user, for example by having more or fewer bladders 5 in a compartment depending on the person's needs. The more bladders a compartment is filled with, the less likely that compartment is to "deform." Some compartments may have more bladders than others.

[0030] In some embodiments, the cushion may have a number of compartments 2 other than four. For example, the cushion may have two, three, five, six, eight, or more compartments.

[0031] In some embodiments, the cushion may be covered with upholstery to form the interior of the seat.

[0032] In use, the cushion may form part of the back of a seat, for example, in a wheelchair. The seat base and / or back may include one or more cushions. In some applications, the cushion may be expanded to essentially become a mattress. However, these are merely examples, and similar cushions may be used in virtually any product in which cushions are normally used.

[0033] Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example, it is to be understood that modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0034] For purposes of disclosure, the specification hereby discloses each item, feature, or step mentioned in this specification in combination with any other item, feature, or step disclosed in this specification, whether or not it is claimed in each case.

Claims

1. 1. A cushion comprising at least two compartments separated by a partition wall, each compartment having one or more bladders, each bladder containing a partial fill of air that is between 5% and 35% of its respective volume, said cushion being openable to access said bladders and then closable, said cushion further being such that when closed, at least in part, by said wall, said bladders cannot move into an adjacent one of said compartments.

2. 10. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the filling in one or more of the bladders is between 10% and 20% of the volume of the one or more bladders.

3. 10. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the filling in one or more of the bladders is between 15% and 25% of the volume of the one or more bladders.

4. 10. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the filling in one or more of the bladders is between 10% and 15% of the volume of the one or more bladders.

5. 5. A cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bladder is permanently sealed so that air cannot be added to or removed from the bladder.

6. 6. A cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising two, three, four, five or six of said compartments, each compartment having one or more of said bladders.

7. 7. A cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising four of said compartments, each compartment having one or more of said bladders.

8. 8. The cushion of claim 1, wherein at least one of the compartments contains more of the bladders than another one of the compartments.

9. A seat comprising one or more cushions according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 10. The seat of claim 9, wherein the one or more cushions form part of a backrest of the seat.

11. 11. A seat according to claim 9 or 10 for use in a wheelchair.

12. 9. A cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is of a sufficient size and has a sufficient number of said compartments and bladders to provide a mattress.

13. 2. The cushion of claim 1, a) one or more of the bags is between 10% and 20% of the volume of the one or more bags; b) the bag is permanently sealed so that air cannot be added to or removed from the bag; c) the cushion has two, three, four, five, or six of the compartments, each compartment having one or more of the bladders; d) A cushion wherein one of said compartments, or at least one of said compartments if there are more than two, contains more of said bladders than any other one of said compartments.

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