AU2018222915B2 - Seat Padding - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract When a person sits on a foam padded seat the foam is typically compressed. The foam 5 may have a tension that reduces its ability to deal with the associated pressure. It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide seat padding that goes at least some way towards addressing the above problem, or which at least provides a useful choice. The seat padding may comprise a flexible enclosure 2 and a plurality of gel pieces 3 inside the enclosure arranged such that they can move with respect to one 0 another. Figure 2

Description

SEAT PADDING

Field of the Invention

A preferred form of the invention relates to seat pads and in particular to gel pads for cushions.

Background

Foam seat padding is known. When a person sits on a foam seat the foam under the person is compressed. Foam seat padding has a tension that reduces its ability to minimise pressure.

Some seats include a layer of urethan polymer gel. One urethane polymer gel is sold by Action Products USA. This gel is a sticky, stretchy, semi-solid and will not ooze. This product goes some way towards pressure management in cushions but doesn’t move away from the heaviest loads of pressure.

It is accordingly an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing problems with current seat padding. However, it should be appreciated that the invention has more general application, and so any objects or advantages applicable to the preferred embodiment should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of the claims. The object of the invention per se is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a seat having padding, the padding comprising:

• a urethane bag comprising perforations so that air is allowed to be released when pressure is applied to the bag; and • a plurality of cuboid or rectangular urethane polymer gel pieces inside the bag, the pieces comprising a semi-solid gel and being coated in a non-stick powder for reducing the stickiness of the pieces;

the bag being arranged such that the pieces are able to move with respect to one another, the perforations being sized to prevent the pieces escaping the bag and the bag being flexible so that so that it is able to move and stretch when pressure is applied to the bag.

Optionally the gel pieces are dusted with non-toxic powder for reducing the stickiness of the pieces.

2018222915 15 May 2020

Optionally the seat is a cushion.

Drawings

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a bag containing gel pieces; and

Figure 2 shows a cushion including gel padding.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a gel pad 1 made up of a flexible bag 2 and a number of gel pieces 3 inside the 5 bag.

The flexible bag 2 may be made from urethane or any other suitable material. In figure 1, bag 2 is shows as transparent. The bag may be transparent, translucent or opaque. In preferred embodiments, the bag is tough and stretchy so it will move and stretch when pressure is applied. The bag shown in figure 1 is sealed around the seam but any other suitable means of forming the bag may be used.

In preferred embodiments, bag 2 has one or more perforations 4 or other openings to allow air to be released from the bag when pressure is applied to the bag. The perforations are large enough to allow air to escape but small enough to prevent gel pieces 3 from escaping the bag. The number and position of the holes in the bag is not limited to those shown in figure 1. It may be possible to use a mesh or other more open enclosure to contain the gel pieces. The function of the bag is to contain the gel pieces and be able to flex and/or stretch under pressure.

The gel pieces are non-sticky or coated in a non-sticky substance. For example, if the gel pieces are a urethane polymer gel they may be coated in talcum powder before being placed in the bag. Alternatively, any other non-toxic coating that reduces stickiness of the pieces can be used. Coating the gel pieces allows them to move with respect to each other so that they can move in the bag.

2018222915 15 May 2020

In one embodiment, the gel pieces are formed by taking sheets of urethane polymer gel and dicing the sheets into small pieces. Although the pieces are shown as cuboid or rectangular in the figure they are not limited to any particular shape. The preferred material for the gel pieces is a semi-solid gel that is stretchy and will not ooze.

Figure 2 shows a cushion 6 with a gel pad 1. The cushion cover includes a pocket in which the gel pad sits. When a person sits on the cushion the pressure on the gel pad means that the gel pieces move away from the heaviest points of local pressure and support around the person’s thighs and bottom. The gel pieces will remain substantially constant over their life. If the bag 0 containing the gel pieces ruptures the gel pieces can be collected and reused.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variation such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to 5 specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

While some preferred embodiments have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the 0 scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

1. Claims

   1. A seat having padding, the padding comprising:

   • a urethane bag comprising perforations so that air is allowed to be released

   5 when pressure is applied to the bag; and • a plurality of cuboid or rectangular urethane polymer gel pieces inside the bag, the pieces comprising a semi-solid gel and being coated in a non-stick powder for reducing the stickiness of the pieces;

   the bag being arranged such that the pieces are able to move with respect to one

   0 another, the perforations being sized to prevent the pieces escaping the bag and the bag being flexible so that so that it is able to move and stretch when pressure is applied to the bag.
2. 2. A seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gel pieces are dusted with non-toxic powder 5 for reducing the stickiness of the pieces.
3. 3. A seat as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the seat is a cushion.