EP0116470A1 - Système de support pour le corps humain - Google Patents

Système de support pour le corps humain Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0116470A1
EP0116470A1 EP84300846A EP84300846A EP0116470A1 EP 0116470 A1 EP0116470 A1 EP 0116470A1 EP 84300846 A EP84300846 A EP 84300846A EP 84300846 A EP84300846 A EP 84300846A EP 0116470 A1 EP0116470 A1 EP 0116470A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
compartments
support
pads
lumbar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP84300846A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Rodney Lyall
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0116470A1 publication Critical patent/EP0116470A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/083—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/082—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/10—Fluid mattresses or cushions with two or more independently-fillable chambers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
    • A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
    • A47C7/46—Support for the head or the back for the back with special, e.g. adjustable, lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
    • A47C7/467—Support for the head or the back for the back with special, e.g. adjustable, lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs adjustable by fluid means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a body support system, in particular a back support for vehicle seats, though the invention may also be applied to other seats, beds,wheelchairs and the like.
  • a cushion to provide extra support for certain parts of the body is well known and it has been proposed to make such a cushion inflatable so that it can be set to the desired firmness and can be deflated to take up less space when not in use.
  • a cushion would normally tend to be difficult to set in situ.
  • it would not be adjustable in the sense that the cushion could not be set to provide varying degrees of support to different parts of the body as required.
  • a body support comprises at least two resilient, fluid-tight compartments, a fluid conduit system connecting the compartments, shut-off means which can be engaged to isolate the compartments, and a fluid supply device arranged to admit fluid to the compartments, thereby forming inflated pads.
  • the invention is particularly adapted for use as a back support for a vehicle seat. It has been proposed to use a system of springs for back support but this suffers the disadvantages that it is not adjustable and requires a considerable amount of space to accommodate a small range of movement.
  • contoured steel bands are provided within the seat structure. These bands follow what is believed to be the optimum curve for support, particularly of the lumbar region of the spine. However, this is of limited effectiveness due to the vast range of sizes and shapes of the occupants of the seats.
  • the working fluid is air and the supply device is preferably a simple hand-operated pump with a relief valve.
  • the shut-off means preferably comprise one or more valves operable on the conduits leading to the compartments.
  • the compartments may be discrete components or may form part of a unitary construction. In the latter case, the construction may comprise a backing sheet which may be relatively firm and a front sheet attached to the backing sheet e.g. by welding or adhesive, in such a way as to define the various compartments and optionally the conduits.
  • a fluid reservoir may be connected to the conduit system and can preferably be isolated from the compartments by means of a valve. In a preferred embodiment, a single valve may be employed to interconnect/isolate the compartments and reservoir. However any valve system may be used with any number of valves provided that it allows the compartments to be isolated and interconnected.
  • the reservoir may be a discrete component and may therefore be located-beneath the seat, or alternatively it may form part of an integral unitary construction. In the latter case the reservoir may constitute side supports, leg supports or a.head support.
  • the system comprises a pair of lumbar support pads 11, 12, a pair of thoracic support pads 13, 14, a pair of cervical support pads 15, 16 and a reservoir 17.
  • Each pad 11 to 16 consists of an elongate resilient air-tight compartment made from a flexible plastics material.
  • the reservoir 17 is of similar construction but is somewhat larger.
  • the pads 11 to 16 and the reservoir 17 are interconnected by means of a,conduit system 18.
  • the conduit system has a valve arrangement 19 which comprises a lumbar valve 21 and a combined thoracic and cervical valve 22. These valves 21 and 22 may be operated separately and are arranged to-open and close the conduits leaving the pads 11 to 16. Thus, when the valves 21, 22 are open the reservoir 17 and the pads 11 to 16 are all connected by the conduit system 18 while when the valve 21 and 22 are closed, the reservoir 17 and the pads 11 to 16 are all isolated with the exception of the lumbar pads 11. and 12 which are permanently connected by a lumbar conduit 23.
  • a hand pump 24 is connected to the lumbar conduit 23.
  • the hand pump is provided with a relief valve 25.
  • the pads 11 to 16 are attached to a vehicle seat by means of suitable straps, hooks or "Velcro" (Registered Trade Mark) etc., with the lumbar pads 11 12 in the lumbar region of the user, the thoracic pads 13, 14 in the thoracic region, and the cervical pads 15, 16 in the cervical region.
  • the reservoir is placed beneath the seat.
  • the lumbar valve 21 and the thoracic/cervical valve 22 are opened and the system is inflated by means of the pump 24.
  • the user When the user feels that the pads 11 to 16 have reached a sufficiently high pressure to offer the desired support, the user adjusts his body to the most comfortable position.
  • the lumbar 21 and the thoracic/ cervical valve 22 are then closed thus isolating the pads with the desired air pressure distribution. If, as is frequently the case, extra support is required in the lumbar region, then more air can be pumped into the lumbar pads 11 and 12 without affecting the remainder of the system as long as the thoracic/cervical valve is closed. If it is required to let some air out of the system, then it is simply necessary to open the relief valve 25 and optionally the lumbar valve 21 and thoracic/ cervical valve 22.
  • the presence of the reservoir allows more flexibility in changes in the volume of air in the various pads. Thus, if pressure is applied to all the pads 11 to 16, then the reservoir 17 can accept the air displaced, while if pressure is removed from the pads 11 to 16 then air can leave the reservoir 17, and enter the pads 11 to 16.
  • the support should remain constant until it is reset..Thus, the seat occupant can leave the seat and can return to it and the support will be the same as when he left.it. Furthermore, apart from being able to increase or decrease the firmness of the support, the pump 25 and the valves 21, 22 and 25 can be used to compensate for changes in temperature.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 2 comprises a back support system having a unitary construction.
  • the various components are integrally formed but operate in a manner essentially similar to those of the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • the system comprises a backing sheet 30 and a front sheet 40 which is attached to the backing sheet 30 in such a way as to define the various components.
  • the front sheet 40 is made from a resilient air-tight material as is the backing sheet 30, although the backing sheet 30 may be relatively more -rigid if desired.
  • the two sheets 30, 40 are fixed together by means of an adhesive, though they could equally well be welded together.
  • the components defined are a pair of lumbar support pads 31, 32 , a pair of thoracic support pads 33, 34, a pair of cervical support pads 35, 36, a reservoir 37, and a conduit system 38.
  • the pads 31 to 36 are elongate resilient fluid-tight compartments while the reservoir 37 is a generally U-shaped resilient fluid-tight compartment which serves as two side supports and a leg support when in position on the seat.
  • the conduit system 38 is controlled by a valve arrangement 39 which will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 3..
  • the two lumbar support pads 31, 32 are interconnected by Means of a lumbar conduit 43 to which a pump 44 is connected via a relief valve 45.
  • the lumbar pads 31, 32 may optionally be connected to the reservoir by means of a lumbar valve41.
  • valve arrangement 39 operates on five conduits 52 to 56 leading from the pads 32 to 26 respectively, and on a conduit 57 leading to the reservoir 17.
  • the conduits 52 to 57 are interconnected by means of a conduit ring 58.
  • the valve arrangement 39 comprises a upper clamping ring 61 and a lower clamping ring 62 which are arranged to clamp the conduits 52 to 57 in the position indicated by the broken lines 59 in Figure 3.
  • the two clamping rings 61, 62 are connected together by means of a screw thread so that when one is rotated relative to the other the rings 61, 62 are either brought together or are moved apart. Washers 63 are positioned between the clamping rings 61, 62 to prevent any damage that might be caused to the sheets 30, 40 by rotation of. the rings 61, 62.
  • the conduits 52 to 57 will be closed thereby isolating the pads 32 to 36 and the reservoir 37.
  • the pads 32 to 36 and the reservoir 37 are interconnected by means of the conduits 52 to 57 and the conduit ring 58.
  • the lumbar valve 41 may be included as shown in Figure 2.
  • conduit system 38 may comprise a series of pipes located between the backing sheet 30 and the front sheet 40.
  • systems shown are systems which can be applied to existing structures such as vehicle seats, they may alternatively be formed integrally with such a structure.

Landscapes

  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
EP84300846A 1983-02-10 1984-02-10 Système de support pour le corps humain Withdrawn EP0116470A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8303654 1983-02-10
GB08303654A GB2134382A (en) 1983-02-10 1983-02-10 Body support system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0116470A1 true EP0116470A1 (fr) 1984-08-22

Family

ID=10537761

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84300846A Withdrawn EP0116470A1 (fr) 1983-02-10 1984-02-10 Système de support pour le corps humain

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0116470A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2134382A (fr)
IL (1) IL70929A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1984003027A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA841008B (fr)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0218301A2 (fr) * 1985-10-11 1987-04-15 Auping B.V. Matelas
AU598737B2 (en) * 1985-07-24 1990-07-05 Jack Witham Improvements relating to chairs
GB2233893A (en) * 1989-07-17 1991-01-23 Boyd Saxon Moore Contourable pneumatic cushion
EP0509087A1 (fr) * 1990-11-01 1992-10-21 GRAEBE, Robert H. Coussin alveolaire divise en zones avec clapets flexibles contenant un collecteur de gonflage
US5175898A (en) * 1984-03-19 1993-01-05 Advanced Sleep Products Sculptured, stretchable waterbed mattress with aesthetic appearance
WO1994007396A1 (fr) * 1992-09-29 1994-04-14 Pegasus Airwave Limited Coussin
WO1998005246A1 (fr) * 1996-08-06 1998-02-12 Rober Limited Matelas gonflables
WO1998031561A1 (fr) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-23 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Garniture pour siege de vehicule
GB2392381A (en) * 2002-07-05 2004-03-03 Longhaul Technologies R & D Lt An air cushioned support system
EP1374739A3 (fr) * 2002-06-18 2004-04-14 Hygrama Ag Siège à profil réglable et module de support
WO2010121976A2 (fr) 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Akzo Nobel Chemicals International B.V. Dispersants pour applications agricoles
FR3016321A1 (fr) * 2014-01-10 2015-07-17 Faurecia Sieges Automobile Coussin a rembordements pour siege de vehicule automobile
US10646044B2 (en) 2015-11-30 2020-05-12 Seating Direct International Limited Cushion

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI77364C (fi) * 1987-06-24 1989-03-10 Cool Power Ky Luftmadrass.
NO174452C (no) * 1988-01-18 1994-05-11 Finn Risung Individuelt justerbart putesystem
US5606754A (en) 1989-03-09 1997-03-04 Ssi Medical Services, Inc. Vibratory patient support system
DE69009781T2 (de) * 1990-02-02 1994-12-22 Leggett & Platt Pumpe und gehäuse für luftströmungskontrollsystem.
US5586346A (en) 1994-02-15 1996-12-24 Support Systems, International Method and apparatus for supporting and for supplying therapy to a patient
TW404248U (en) * 1998-10-09 2000-09-01 Lin Mei Ting Air-cushion bed structure with two-section exchangeable lateral positioning
NO327509B1 (no) * 2006-03-15 2009-07-27 Jurek Buchacz Stol med justerbar ryggstotte
FR2949320B1 (fr) 2009-08-31 2012-11-16 Hill Rom Ind Sa Dispositif de basculement lateral
US12042453B2 (en) 2019-02-26 2024-07-23 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient positioning apparatus and mattress

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3192541A (en) * 1962-03-19 1965-07-06 Boyd S Moore Contourable pneumatic cushions

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR818155A (fr) * 1937-02-20 1937-09-20 Siège gonflable pour automobile
GB969367A (en) * 1962-03-05 1964-09-09 George Ingram Improvements in inflatable mattresses, pillows and cushions
DE2420446A1 (de) * 1973-08-01 1975-11-27 Armin Dr Beck Ermuedungsfreier sitz
US3983640A (en) * 1974-11-06 1976-10-05 The Singer Company Advanced G seat for aircraft simulation
US4017118A (en) * 1976-04-19 1977-04-12 Cawley Reginald E Patient supporting device
GB1545806A (en) * 1976-09-23 1979-05-16 Hopkins L Fluid mattresses
JPS5725812A (en) * 1980-07-25 1982-02-10 Aisin Seiki Air lamber support

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3192541A (en) * 1962-03-19 1965-07-06 Boyd S Moore Contourable pneumatic cushions

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5175898A (en) * 1984-03-19 1993-01-05 Advanced Sleep Products Sculptured, stretchable waterbed mattress with aesthetic appearance
AU598737B2 (en) * 1985-07-24 1990-07-05 Jack Witham Improvements relating to chairs
EP0218301A2 (fr) * 1985-10-11 1987-04-15 Auping B.V. Matelas
EP0218301A3 (fr) * 1985-10-11 1988-07-20 Auping B.V. Matelas
US4873737A (en) * 1985-10-11 1989-10-17 Auping B.V. Fluid filled mattress with height measuring and control devices
GB2233893A (en) * 1989-07-17 1991-01-23 Boyd Saxon Moore Contourable pneumatic cushion
GB2233893B (en) * 1989-07-17 1993-06-16 Boyd Saxon Moore Contourable pneumatic cushion
EP0509087A1 (fr) * 1990-11-01 1992-10-21 GRAEBE, Robert H. Coussin alveolaire divise en zones avec clapets flexibles contenant un collecteur de gonflage
EP0509087A4 (en) * 1990-11-01 1993-04-28 Robert H. Graebe Zoned cellular cushion with flexible flaps containing inflating manifold
US5500965A (en) * 1992-09-29 1996-03-26 Pegasus Airwave Limited Cushion
WO1994007396A1 (fr) * 1992-09-29 1994-04-14 Pegasus Airwave Limited Coussin
AU669208B2 (en) * 1992-09-29 1996-05-30 Pegasus Airwave Limited Cushion
WO1998005246A1 (fr) * 1996-08-06 1998-02-12 Rober Limited Matelas gonflables
WO1998031561A1 (fr) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-23 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Garniture pour siege de vehicule
EP1374739A3 (fr) * 2002-06-18 2004-04-14 Hygrama Ag Siège à profil réglable et module de support
GB2392381A (en) * 2002-07-05 2004-03-03 Longhaul Technologies R & D Lt An air cushioned support system
GB2392381B (en) * 2002-07-05 2005-11-02 Longhaul Technologies R & D Lt An air cushioned support system
WO2010121976A2 (fr) 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Akzo Nobel Chemicals International B.V. Dispersants pour applications agricoles
US9232786B2 (en) 2009-04-22 2016-01-12 Akzo Nobel Chemicals International B.V. Dispersants for agricultural applications
US9526241B2 (en) 2009-04-22 2016-12-27 Akzo Nobel Chemicals International B.V. Dispersants for agricultural applications
FR3016321A1 (fr) * 2014-01-10 2015-07-17 Faurecia Sieges Automobile Coussin a rembordements pour siege de vehicule automobile
US10646044B2 (en) 2015-11-30 2020-05-12 Seating Direct International Limited Cushion

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA841008B (en) 1984-09-26
IL70929A0 (en) 1984-05-31
GB8303654D0 (en) 1983-03-16
GB2134382A (en) 1984-08-15
WO1984003027A1 (fr) 1984-08-16

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

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18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19850722