EP0702917B1 - Pressure relief cushions - Google Patents
Pressure relief cushions Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0702917B1 EP0702917B1 EP95306352A EP95306352A EP0702917B1 EP 0702917 B1 EP0702917 B1 EP 0702917B1 EP 95306352 A EP95306352 A EP 95306352A EP 95306352 A EP95306352 A EP 95306352A EP 0702917 B1 EP0702917 B1 EP 0702917B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cell
- carrier
- pressure relief
- sleeve
- cushion
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- A47C7/02—Seat parts
- A47C7/021—Detachable or loose seat cushions
-
- 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
- A47C27/085—Fluid mattresses or cushions of liquid type, e.g. filled with water or gel
-
- 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
- A47C7/42—Support for the head or the back for the back of detachable or loose type
- A47C7/425—Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/05738—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads
Definitions
- This invention relates to pressure relief cushions for supporting part of the body.
- Such cushions are of particular value in the prevention of pressure sores in people such as the disabled or geriatric, who are obliged to remain in one position for long periods of time.
- An aim of the present invention is to provide a from of pressure relief cushion which is patentably different from existing cushions.
- the present invention proposes a pressure relief cushion as set forth in the appended Claims.
- the water chair comprises a generally horizontal seat portion 1 and an upright back-rest portion 2.
- Each portion 1, 2 is provided with a support cushion 3, 4 respectively.
- Each support cushion includes a planar carrier 10 of relatively rigid plastics sheet which is secured to the frame of the chair by nails 11, staples or the like. It will be appreciated that the carrier could also be of hardboard, plywood or other stiff sheet material.
- a series of horizontally extending sleeves 12, extending from side-to-side of the chair, are formed from a flexible sheet 13 of cotton, gabardine, canvas or like material, which is secured to the carrier 10 by a series of parallel rows 14 of stitching, staples or similar means. The width of the strips of the sheet 13 defined between the rows of stitching 14 is greater that the linear distance between the rows 14, so that the sleeves can each receive a respective elongate cell 15, one of which will now be described with reference to Fig. 2.
- Each cell 15 comprises a backing sheet 16 of relatively rigid water-impermeable plastics such as pvc, to which a front body-support sheet 17 of relatively flexible pvc or other water-impermeable plastics is secured by heat welding 18 around the periphery of the sheet 17.
- the support sheet 17 is either pre-shaped and/or is sufficiently flexible to form an internal space between the sheets 16 and 17 which is partially pre-filled with water prior to sealing the cell.
- the space is generally filled to between 65% and 98% of its maximum volumetric capacity depending on the application and position of use of the cell.
- Each cell 15 is slid longitudinally into one end of the respective sleeve 12.
- the transverse width of each backing sheet is slightly less than the distance between the lines of stitching 14, and the width of the flexible front sheet of the sleeve 12 is dimensioned to hold the cell against lateral movement. Longitudinal movement of the cell may be prevented by providing end portions 20 of the backing sheet 16 which project from each end of the sleeve 12 and are releasably secured to the carrier 10 by press-studs 21, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like.
- the backing sheet 16 provides integral support for the cell 15 which helps to maintain the shape of the cell as shown in Fig. 3.
- the cell thus has a less pendulous shape in transverse section than has hitherto been possible for a cell of similar dimensions and filled capacity.
- the cells are easily removed when required by releasing the fasteners 21 and sliding the cells out of the sleeves 12, and the rigid backing sheet 16 allows the cells to be easily re-inserted. This is very important to allow thorough cleaning.
- the cushions will usually have a decorative further outer covering of cotton or the like.
- the sheets 16 and 17 could be secured by means other than heat welding, such as by using a suitable adhesive for example.
- the rear wall of the cell could be formed by a rear panel of flexible sheet material bonded to an outer layer of stiff board.
- the rear wall could also be formed of two superimposed panels of flexible sheet with a sheet of stiff board sandwiched between them.
- the cell could be partially filled with another liquid or a viscous gel.
- the cell could furthermore be provided with a valve or a capped opening 24 (Fig. 2) to permit drainage and refilling of the cell. This would also allow the volumetric contents of the cell to be adjusted after filling, if desired.
- the cells 15 and sleeves 12 could run from front-to-back of the chair if desired, as shown in Fig. 4.
- the carrier 10 could also be curved as in the case of the divan illustrated in Fig. 5. It will also be appreciated that the cushion could form a separate entity which can be placed on a conventional seat, bed or the like.
- the backing portion 16 provides integral support for the cell, which determines the shape of the cell to a large extent whilst still permitting the body-support portion 17 to conform to the shape of the human body.
- the carrier may be secured to or form part of the back or seat of a multi-seater chair such as a settee.
- the cushion could also form the support surface of a bed.
Description
- This invention relates to pressure relief cushions for supporting part of the body.
- Such cushions are of particular value in the prevention of pressure sores in people such as the disabled or geriatric, who are obliged to remain in one position for long periods of time.
- US Patent No. 4 391 466 and European Patent No. 0 284 294 disclose known forms of chair which incorporate pressure relief cushions.
- An aim of the present invention is to provide a from of pressure relief cushion which is patentably different from existing cushions.
- The present invention proposes a pressure relief cushion as set forth in the appended Claims.
- The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:
- Figure 1 is a general exploded view of part of a water chair, including two cushions of the invention,
- Figure 2 is a general view of a water cell for use with the chair of Fig. 1,
- Figure 3 is a transverse section through the water cell as used in an upright cushion,
- Figure 4 is a general view of an alternative form of seat cushion for the water chair of Fig. 1, and
- Figure 5 is a general view of a cushion of the invention as incorporated in a divan.
-
- Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the water chair comprises a generally
horizontal seat portion 1 and an upright back-rest portion 2. Eachportion support cushion planar carrier 10 of relatively rigid plastics sheet which is secured to the frame of the chair bynails 11, staples or the like. It will be appreciated that the carrier could also be of hardboard, plywood or other stiff sheet material. A series of horizontally extendingsleeves 12, extending from side-to-side of the chair, are formed from aflexible sheet 13 of cotton, gabardine, canvas or like material, which is secured to thecarrier 10 by a series ofparallel rows 14 of stitching, staples or similar means. The width of the strips of thesheet 13 defined between the rows ofstitching 14 is greater that the linear distance between therows 14, so that the sleeves can each receive a respectiveelongate cell 15, one of which will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. - Each
cell 15 comprises abacking sheet 16 of relatively rigid water-impermeable plastics such as pvc, to which a front body-support sheet 17 of relatively flexible pvc or other water-impermeable plastics is secured by heat welding 18 around the periphery of thesheet 17. Thesupport sheet 17 is either pre-shaped and/or is sufficiently flexible to form an internal space between thesheets - Each
cell 15 is slid longitudinally into one end of therespective sleeve 12. The transverse width of each backing sheet is slightly less than the distance between the lines ofstitching 14, and the width of the flexible front sheet of thesleeve 12 is dimensioned to hold the cell against lateral movement. Longitudinal movement of the cell may be prevented by providingend portions 20 of thebacking sheet 16 which project from each end of thesleeve 12 and are releasably secured to thecarrier 10 by press-studs 21, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like. - In the case of the
cushion 4, which is disposed in an upright, rearwardly inclined position in use, thebacking sheet 16 provides integral support for thecell 15 which helps to maintain the shape of the cell as shown in Fig. 3. The cell thus has a less pendulous shape in transverse section than has hitherto been possible for a cell of similar dimensions and filled capacity. The cells are easily removed when required by releasing thefasteners 21 and sliding the cells out of thesleeves 12, and therigid backing sheet 16 allows the cells to be easily re-inserted. This is very important to allow thorough cleaning. - In practice, the cushions will usually have a decorative further outer covering of cotton or the like.
- It will be appreciated that the
sheets - Instead of water, the cell could be partially filled with another liquid or a viscous gel.
- The cell could furthermore be provided with a valve or a capped opening 24 (Fig. 2) to permit drainage and refilling of the cell. This would also allow the volumetric contents of the cell to be adjusted after filling, if desired.
- In the case of a generally horizontal cushion, as used with the
seat portion 1, thecells 15 andsleeves 12 could run from front-to-back of the chair if desired, as shown in Fig. 4. Thecarrier 10 could also be curved as in the case of the divan illustrated in Fig. 5. It will also be appreciated that the cushion could form a separate entity which can be placed on a conventional seat, bed or the like. - The
backing portion 16 provides integral support for the cell, which determines the shape of the cell to a large extent whilst still permitting the body-support portion 17 to conform to the shape of the human body. The carrier may be secured to or form part of the back or seat of a multi-seater chair such as a settee. The cushion could also form the support surface of a bed.
Claims (2)
- A pressure relief cushion comprising a substantially rigid carrier (10) and at least one relatively flexible layer (13) secured thereto to form a sleeve, the or each sleeve having a cell (15) inserted therein which comprises an envelope partially filled with a liquid or gel, said envelope including a body-support portion (17) and a backing portion (16),
characterised in that the cell (15) is provided with attachment portions (20) at opposite ends of the backing portion (16), said attachment portions projecting from opposite ends of the sleeve (10, 13) and both being releasably secured to the carrier (10) such that the backing portion (16) is held rigid against the carrier (10) but the body-support portion (17) is relatively free to change shape. - A pressure relief cushion according to Claim 1, in which said attachment portions (20) are releasably secured to the carrier (10) by hook-and-loop fasteners.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9418445A GB2293320B (en) | 1994-09-14 | 1994-09-14 | Pressure relief cushions |
GB9418445 | 1994-09-14 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0702917A1 EP0702917A1 (en) | 1996-03-27 |
EP0702917B1 true EP0702917B1 (en) | 1999-12-08 |
Family
ID=10761260
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95306352A Expired - Lifetime EP0702917B1 (en) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-09-12 | Pressure relief cushions |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0702917B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69513763D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2293320B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR19990022862A (en) * | 1995-06-15 | 1999-03-25 | 스프레이그 로버트 월터 | How to prepare a solid elastomer gel |
DE19701512A1 (en) * | 1997-01-17 | 1998-07-23 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Padding for motor vehicle seat |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1032354A (en) * | 1962-02-23 | 1966-06-08 | Pirelli Ltd | Improvements relating to resilient upholstery supports |
US4067078A (en) * | 1976-06-10 | 1978-01-10 | Winston Emanuel A | Adjustable back supporter |
AU527133B2 (en) * | 1978-08-14 | 1983-02-17 | Peter Alan Smith | Water chair |
US5303977A (en) * | 1986-04-02 | 1994-04-19 | Sereboff Joel L | Fluid cushion system |
US4738486A (en) * | 1986-12-12 | 1988-04-19 | Surber Keith V | Water-filled sitting furniture |
US4838613A (en) * | 1987-03-19 | 1989-06-13 | Smith Peter A | Water chair |
-
1994
- 1994-09-14 GB GB9418445A patent/GB2293320B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1995
- 1995-09-12 DE DE69513763T patent/DE69513763D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-09-12 EP EP95306352A patent/EP0702917B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0702917A1 (en) | 1996-03-27 |
GB9418445D0 (en) | 1994-11-02 |
GB2293320B (en) | 1998-07-08 |
DE69513763D1 (en) | 2000-01-13 |
GB2293320A (en) | 1996-03-27 |
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