EP1714583B1 - A seat with an inflatable seat portion - Google Patents
A seat with an inflatable seat portion Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1714583B1 EP1714583B1 EP06252089A EP06252089A EP1714583B1 EP 1714583 B1 EP1714583 B1 EP 1714583B1 EP 06252089 A EP06252089 A EP 06252089A EP 06252089 A EP06252089 A EP 06252089A EP 1714583 B1 EP1714583 B1 EP 1714583B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- backrest
- insert portion
- inflatable
- main portion
- 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.)
- Not-in-force
Links
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 210000000689 upper leg Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 14
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008338 local blood flow Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000005036 nerve Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000001696 pelvic girdle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
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
Definitions
- This invention relates to a seat, and more especially, this invention relates to a seat with an inflatable seat portion.
- the seats are often such that the seat portion is not comfortable to sit on and does not give adequate support to the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion.
- the seat portion may, for example, restrict the positioning of the person's pelvic girdle and it may apply undue pressure to the person's ischial tuberosities, in addition to restricting local blood flow and pinching local nerves in the region of the person's posterior.
- a seat comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion.
- the seat portion comprises a main portion and a plurality of insert portions.
- One of the insert portions is rectangular and is positioned so as to be underneath the posterior of a person sitting on the insert portion.
- Two of the insert portions are rectangular and are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion.
- the insert portions are able to be inflated and deflated.
- WO 00/03623 is concerned with an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation of the insert portions.
- a seat comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion, the seat portion comprising a main portion and an insert portion, the insert portion being such that it fits into a complementarity shaped recess in the main portion.
- the insert portion comprises a pair of pads which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the insert portion.
- the insert portion also comprises a pair of legs which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion.
- the insert portion and the main portion are made of a foam material.
- the foam material of the insert portion may be of a different density to the foam material of the main portion.
- the present invention provides a seat comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion, the seat portion comprising a seat main portion and a seat insert portion, characterised in that the seat insert portion is softer than the seat main portion, the seat insert portion is positioned in a complementarily shaped recess in the seat main portion, the seat insert portion comprises a pair of pads which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion with their legs extending over a front of the seat portion and not straddling the seat portion, the seat insert portion comprises a pair of legs which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion with their legs extending over a front of the seat portion and not straddling the seat portion, a part of the seat main portion is positioned between the pair of legs of the seat insert portion, the pair of pads of the seat insert portion and the pair of legs of the seat insert portion provide a continuous uninterrupted area which is softer than the seat main portion, and the seat insert portion is an inflatable seat
- each user of a seat to control the amount of inflation and deflation in the seat insert portion means that each user of a seat is able to adjust the seat to their own requirements for their own maximum personal comfort.
- the seat insert portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- the gas is preferably air.
- the seat insert portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment. Alternatively, the seat insert portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- the seat insert portion is softer than the seat main portion. If desired however the seat insert portion may be harder than the seat main portion.
- the degree of hardness of the seat insert portion can be controlled by each user to their own personal requirements.
- the seat may include control means for inflating and deflating the seat insert portion.
- the control means may include a manually-operated hand pump for pumping an inflating medium into the seat insert portion for inflating the seat insert portion, and an outlet valve to removing the inflating medium from the seat insert portion for deflating the seat insert portion.
- a manually-operated hand pump for pumping an inflating medium into the seat insert portion for inflating the seat insert portion
- an outlet valve to removing the inflating medium from the seat insert portion for deflating the seat insert portion.
- the removed inflating medium can be exhausted to the environment.
- the inflating medium can be taken from the seat portion and saved in a reservoir chamber.
- an electrically operated pump may be employed as an alternative to the use of a manually-operated hand pump.
- the seat may be one in which the seat main portion is an inflatable seat main portion.
- the seat main portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- the gas is preferably air.
- the seat main portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment.
- the seat main portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- the seat main portion may include control means for inflating and deflating the seat main portion.
- the seat may be one in which the control means includes a manually-operated hand pump for pumping the inflating medium into the seat main portion for inflating the seat main portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the seat main portion for deflating the seat main portion.
- the control means includes a manually-operated hand pump for pumping the inflating medium into the seat main portion for inflating the seat main portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the seat main portion for deflating the seat main portion.
- the seat main portion may be made of a foam material.
- the seat portion may include a heating element.
- the seat may be one in which the backrest portion comprises a backrest main portion and a backrest insert portion, and the backrest insert portion being an inflatable backrest insert portion which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.
- the inflatable backrest insert portion may provide optimum lumber support for the back of the person irrespective of the height and weight of the person.
- the backrest insert portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- the gas is preferably air.
- the backrest insert portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment. Alternatively, the backrest insert portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- the backrest insert portion may include control means for inflating and deflating the backrest insert portion.
- the control means may include manually-operated hand pump for pumping the inflating medium into the backrest insert portion for inflating the backrest insert portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the backrest insert portion for deflating the backrest insert portion. If desired, the control means may include an electrically-operated pump instead of the manually-operated hand pump.
- the seat may be one in which the backrest insert portion is such that it is softer than the backrest main portion.
- the backrest insert portion may be such that it is harder than the backrest main portion.
- the backrest main portion may be an inflatable backrest main portion.
- the backrest main portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- the gas is preferably air.
- the backrest main portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment.
- the backrest main portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- the backrest main portion may include control means for inflating and deflating the backrest main portion.
- the control means may include a manually-operated hand pump for pumping an inflating medium into the backrest main portion for inflating the backrest main portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the backrest main portion for deflating the backrest main portion.
- an electrically-operated pump may be employed instead of the manually-operated hand pump.
- the backrest main portion may be made of a foam material.
- the same type of control means will usually be employed for all of the inflatable/deflatable seat parts.
- One pump for example one manually-operated hand pump or one electrically-operated pump may be employed for inflating parts of the seat, with the inflating medium being able to be directed to and removed from different parts of the seats by selection of appropriate valve means from a control panel.
- the seat may include a headrest portion.
- the seat may be any suitable and appropriate seat.
- the seat may be a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, an aircraft seat for a an aircraft, a boat seat for a boat, a military seat for a military vehicle, a train seat for a train, a hovercraft for a hovercraft, a domestic seat for domestic use, an office seat for office use, or an industrial seat for use in industrial premises.
- the motor vehicle may be any suitable and appropriate motor vehicle including a car, van, bus, coach or lorry.
- the seat may be especially advantageous for ferries where passengers are generally required to sit together in their seats for the duration of their journey.
- the domestic seat may be a chair, armchair or settee.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a seat portion 2 of a seat.
- the entire seat is not shown but the seat comprises the seat portion 2 and a backrest portion.
- the seat portion 2 comprises a seat main portion 4 and a seat insert portion 6.
- the seat insert portion 6 is such that it fits into a complementarily shaped recess 8 in the seat main portion 4.
- the seat insert portion 6 comprises a pair of pads 10, 12 which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion 2 with their legs extending over the front of the seat portion 2 and not straddling the seat portion 2.
- the seat insert portion 6 also comprises a pair of legs 14, 16 which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion 2 with their legs extending over a front of the seat portion 2 and not straddling the seat portion 2.
- a part 17 of the seat main portion 4 is positioned between the pair of legs 14, 16 of the seat insert portion 6.
- the pair of pads 10, 12 of the seat insert portion 6 and the pair of legs 14, 16 of the seat insert portion 6 provide a continuous uninterrupted area which is softer than the main seat portion 4.
- the seat insert portion 6 is such that it is an inflatable seat insert portion 6.
- the seat insert portion 6 is such that it is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.
- the seat insert portion 6 is able to be inflated by gas in the form of air.
- the seat insert portion 6 is formed to have one single inflatable compartment.
- the pads 10, 12 and the legs 14, 16 have curved faces which engage complementarily curved faces 18 in the recess 8. When inflated, the seat insert portion 6 will usually be softer than the seat main portion 4.
- the seat insert portion 6 includes control means 20 for inflating and deflating the seat insert portion 6.
- the control means 20 comprises a manually-operated hand pump 22 which is connected to the body of the seat insert portion 6 by a tube 24. Repeated squeezing of the hand pump 22 is effected to inflate the seat insert portion 6. If the seat insert portion 6 is inflated too much, then air can be released via an outlet valve (not shown).
- the seat main portion 4 is an inflatable seat main portion 4.
- the seat main portion 4 is also inflated by gas in the form of air.
- the seat main portion 4 is formed to have one single inflatable compartment.
- the seat main portion 4 is inflated by control means 26 which is basically the same as the control means 20 and which thus comprises a hand pump 28, a tube 30 and an outlet valve (not shown).
- control means 26 which is basically the same as the control means 20 and which thus comprises a hand pump 28, a tube 30 and an outlet valve (not shown).
- the seat main portion 4 will usually be inflated to be harder than the seat insert portion 6, but the reverse arrangement may be employed if desired.
- the seat main portion 4 and the seat insert portion 6 are inflated, then relative movement between the two portions 4, 6 may occur if a person sitting on the seat portion 6 wishes to apply, for example, more weight on one side of the seat insert portion 6 than the other side of the seat insert portion 6. This relative movement may occur with all seat portions of the seat of the present invention.
- the backrest portion 32 may be used with the seat portion 2, or it may be used with another type of seat portion.
- the backrest portion 32 comprises a backrest main portion 34 and a backrest insert portion 36.
- the backrest insert portion 36 is an inflatable backrest insert portion which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.
- the backrest insert portion 36 can be inflated to provide optimum lumbar support for the back of the user, irrespective of the height and weight of the user.
- the backrest insert portion includes control means 38 for inflating and deflating the backrest insert portion 36.
- the control means 38 comprises a manually-operated hand pump 40 which is connected to the remainder of the backrest insert portion 36 by a tube 32.
- Control means 36 also includes a control valve (not shown) for removing air from the backrest insert portion 36 if it has been over inflated by operation of the hand pump 40.
- the backrest insert portion 36 has a curved face 44 which fits a complementary curved face 46 of a recess 48 in the backrest main portion 34.
- the backrest main portion 34 is an inflatable backrest main portion.
- the backrest main portion 34 is inflatable by gas in the form of air.
- the backrest main portion 34 is formed to have one single inflatable compartment.
- the backrest main portion 34 has control means 50 for enabling the backrest main portion 34 to be inflated.
- the control means 50 comprises a manually-operated hand pump 52 which is connected to the main body of the backrest main portion 34 by a tube 54.
- An outlet valve (not shown) is provided for removing air from the backrest main portion 34 if this should be desired.
- the seat main portion 4 may be made of a foam material instead of being inflatable. If the backrest portion 32 is used with the seat portion 2, then the entire backrest portion 32 may be made of a foam material, or just the backrest main portion 34 or just the backrest insert portion 36 may be made of a foam material.
- the backrest portion 32 may be provided with a headrest portion (not shown). Gases other than air and also hydraulic fluids may be employed to inflate the chosen inflatable parts of the seat.
- a single pump and an appropriate control panel may be employed to inflate different parts of the seat.
- the pump may be an electrically-operated pump rather than a hand-operated manual pump if desired.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a seat, and more especially, this invention relates to a seat with an inflatable seat portion.
- There are many types of seats comprising a seat portion and a back rest portion, The seats are often such that the seat portion is not comfortable to sit on and does not give adequate support to the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion. The seat portion may, for example, restrict the positioning of the person's pelvic girdle and it may apply undue pressure to the person's ischial tuberosities, in addition to restricting local blood flow and pinching local nerves in the region of the person's posterior.
- In
International Publication No. WO 00/03623 WO 00/03623 - In International Publication No.
WO 2005/002914 there is disclosed a seat comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion, the seat portion comprising a main portion and an insert portion, the insert portion being such that it fits into a complementarity shaped recess in the main portion. The insert portion comprises a pair of pads which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the insert portion. The insert portion also comprises a pair of legs which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion. The insert portion and the main portion are made of a foam material. The foam material of the insert portion may be of a different density to the foam material of the main portion. - It is an aim of the present invention to retain the advantageous shape of the seat portion as set out in
WO 2005/002914 , whilst at the same time providing a completely different construction for the seat portion, and which seat construction gives varying control over the hardness/softness of the seat portion. - Accordingly, the present invention provides a seat comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion, the seat portion comprising a seat main portion and a seat insert portion, characterised in that the seat insert portion is softer than the seat main portion, the seat insert portion is positioned in a complementarily shaped recess in the seat main portion, the seat insert portion comprises a pair of pads which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion with their legs extending over a front of the seat portion and not straddling the seat portion, the seat insert portion comprises a pair of legs which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion with their legs extending over a front of the seat portion and not straddling the seat portion, a part of the seat main portion is positioned between the pair of legs of the seat insert portion, the pair of pads of the seat insert portion and the pair of legs of the seat insert portion provide a continuous uninterrupted area which is softer than the seat main portion, and the seat insert portion is an inflatable seat insert portion which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.
- The ability of each user of a seat to control the amount of inflation and deflation in the seat insert portion means that each user of a seat is able to adjust the seat to their own requirements for their own maximum personal comfort.
- The seat insert portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid. The gas is preferably air.
- The seat insert portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment. Alternatively, the seat insert portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- The pads and the legs preferably have curved faces which engage complementarily curved faces in the recess. Other shapes may however be employed.
- Preferably, the seat insert portion is softer than the seat main portion. If desired however the seat insert portion may be harder than the seat main portion. Advantageously, the degree of hardness of the seat insert portion can be controlled by each user to their own personal requirements.
- The seat may include control means for inflating and deflating the seat insert portion.
- The control means may include a manually-operated hand pump for pumping an inflating medium into the seat insert portion for inflating the seat insert portion, and an outlet valve to removing the inflating medium from the seat insert portion for deflating the seat insert portion. In the case of air, the removed inflating medium can be exhausted to the environment. In the case of a gas that needs saving or a hydraulic inflating medium, then the inflating medium can be taken from the seat portion and saved in a reservoir chamber. As an alternative to the use of a manually-operated hand pump, an electrically operated pump may be employed.
- The seat may be one in which the seat main portion is an inflatable seat main portion.
- The seat main portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid. The gas is preferably air.
- The seat main portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment. Alternatively, the seat main portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- The seat main portion may include control means for inflating and deflating the seat main portion.
- The seat may be one in which the control means includes a manually-operated hand pump for pumping the inflating medium into the seat main portion for inflating the seat main portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the seat main portion for deflating the seat main portion.
- Alternatively, if desired, the seat main portion may be made of a foam material.
- The seat portion may include a heating element.
- The seat may be one in which the backrest portion comprises a backrest main portion and a backrest insert portion, and the backrest insert portion being an inflatable backrest insert portion which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user. Thus, for example the inflatable backrest insert portion may provide optimum lumber support for the back of the person irrespective of the height and weight of the person.
- The backrest insert portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid. The gas is preferably air. The backrest insert portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment. Alternatively, the backrest insert portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- The backrest insert portion may include control means for inflating and deflating the backrest insert portion. The control means may include manually-operated hand pump for pumping the inflating medium into the backrest insert portion for inflating the backrest insert portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the backrest insert portion for deflating the backrest insert portion. If desired, the control means may include an electrically-operated pump instead of the manually-operated hand pump.
- The seat may be one in which the backrest insert portion is such that it is softer than the backrest main portion. Alternatively, the backrest insert portion may be such that it is harder than the backrest main portion.
- The backrest main portion may be an inflatable backrest main portion.
- The backrest main portion may be inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid. The gas is preferably air.
- The backrest main portion may be formed to have one single inflatable compartment. Alternatively, the backrest main portion may be formed to have a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- The backrest main portion may include control means for inflating and deflating the backrest main portion. The control means may include a manually-operated hand pump for pumping an inflating medium into the backrest main portion for inflating the backrest main portion, and an outlet valve for removing the inflating medium from the backrest main portion for deflating the backrest main portion. Alternatively, if desired, an electrically-operated pump may be employed instead of the manually-operated hand pump.
- Alternatively, if desired, the backrest main portion may be made of a foam material.
- Where the seat has more than one inflatable/deflatable seat part, then the same type of control means will usually be employed for all of the inflatable/deflatable seat parts. One pump, for example one manually-operated hand pump or one electrically-operated pump may be employed for inflating parts of the seat, with the inflating medium being able to be directed to and removed from different parts of the seats by selection of appropriate valve means from a control panel.
- The seat may include a headrest portion.
- The seat may be any suitable and appropriate seat. Thus, for example, the seat may be a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, an aircraft seat for a an aircraft, a boat seat for a boat, a military seat for a military vehicle, a train seat for a train, a hovercraft for a hovercraft, a domestic seat for domestic use, an office seat for office use, or an industrial seat for use in industrial premises.
- Where the seat is a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, then the motor vehicle may be any suitable and appropriate motor vehicle including a car, van, bus, coach or lorry. Where the seat is a seat for a boat or a hovercraft, then the seat may be especially advantageous for ferries where passengers are generally required to sit together in their seats for the duration of their journey. Where the seat is a domestic seat, then the domestic seat may be a chair, armchair or settee.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a seat portion of a seat; and -
Figure 2 is an exploded view of a backrest portion of a seat. - Referring to
Figure 1 , there is shown aseat portion 2 of a seat. The entire seat is not shown but the seat comprises theseat portion 2 and a backrest portion. - The
seat portion 2 comprises a seat main portion 4 and a seat insert portion 6. The seat insert portion 6 is such that it fits into a complementarily shapedrecess 8 in the seat main portion 4. The seat insert portion 6 comprises a pair ofpads seat portion 2 with their legs extending over the front of theseat portion 2 and not straddling theseat portion 2. The seat insert portion 6 also comprises a pair of legs 14, 16 which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on theseat portion 2 with their legs extending over a front of theseat portion 2 and not straddling theseat portion 2. Apart 17 of the seat main portion 4 is positioned between the pair of legs 14, 16 of the seat insert portion 6. The pair ofpads - The seat insert portion 6 is such that it is an inflatable seat insert portion 6. The seat insert portion 6 is such that it is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user. The seat insert portion 6 is able to be inflated by gas in the form of air. The seat insert portion 6 is formed to have one single inflatable compartment. The
pads recess 8. When inflated, the seat insert portion 6 will usually be softer than the seat main portion 4. - The seat insert portion 6 includes control means 20 for inflating and deflating the seat insert portion 6. The control means 20 comprises a manually-operated
hand pump 22 which is connected to the body of the seat insert portion 6 by atube 24. Repeated squeezing of thehand pump 22 is effected to inflate the seat insert portion 6. If the seat insert portion 6 is inflated too much, then air can be released via an outlet valve (not shown). - The seat main portion 4 is an inflatable seat main portion 4. The seat main portion 4 is also inflated by gas in the form of air. The seat main portion 4 is formed to have one single inflatable compartment. The seat main portion 4 is inflated by control means 26 which is basically the same as the control means 20 and which thus comprises a
hand pump 28, atube 30 and an outlet valve (not shown). When inflated, the seat main portion 4 will usually be inflated to be harder than the seat insert portion 6, but the reverse arrangement may be employed if desired. When the seat main portion 4 and the seat insert portion 6 are inflated, then relative movement between the two portions 4, 6 may occur if a person sitting on the seat portion 6 wishes to apply, for example, more weight on one side of the seat insert portion 6 than the other side of the seat insert portion 6. This relative movement may occur with all seat portions of the seat of the present invention. - Referring now to
Figure 2 , there is shown abackrest portion 32 of a seat. Thebackrest portion 32 may be used with theseat portion 2, or it may be used with another type of seat portion. - The
backrest portion 32 comprises a backrestmain portion 34 and abackrest insert portion 36. Thebackrest insert portion 36 is an inflatable backrest insert portion which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user. Thus, for example, thebackrest insert portion 36 can be inflated to provide optimum lumbar support for the back of the user, irrespective of the height and weight of the user. - The backrest insert portion is inflatable by gas in the form of air. The backrest insert portion is formed to have one single inflatable compartment.
- The backrest insert portion includes control means 38 for inflating and deflating the
backrest insert portion 36. The control means 38 comprises a manually-operatedhand pump 40 which is connected to the remainder of thebackrest insert portion 36 by atube 32. Control means 36 also includes a control valve (not shown) for removing air from thebackrest insert portion 36 if it has been over inflated by operation of thehand pump 40. Thebackrest insert portion 36 has acurved face 44 which fits a complementarycurved face 46 of arecess 48 in the backrestmain portion 34. - The backrest
main portion 34 is an inflatable backrest main portion. The backrestmain portion 34 is inflatable by gas in the form of air. The backrestmain portion 34 is formed to have one single inflatable compartment. - The backrest
main portion 34 has control means 50 for enabling the backrestmain portion 34 to be inflated. The control means 50 comprises a manually-operatedhand pump 52 which is connected to the main body of the backrestmain portion 34 by atube 54. An outlet valve (not shown) is provided for removing air from the backrestmain portion 34 if this should be desired. - It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, for example, the seat main portion 4 may be made of a foam material instead of being inflatable. If the
backrest portion 32 is used with theseat portion 2, then theentire backrest portion 32 may be made of a foam material, or just the backrestmain portion 34 or just thebackrest insert portion 36 may be made of a foam material. Thebackrest portion 32 may be provided with a headrest portion (not shown). Gases other than air and also hydraulic fluids may be employed to inflate the chosen inflatable parts of the seat. A single pump and an appropriate control panel may be employed to inflate different parts of the seat. The pump may be an electrically-operated pump rather than a hand-operated manual pump if desired.
Claims (21)
- A seat comprising a seat portion (2) and a backrest portion, the seat portion (2) comprising a seat main portion (4) and a seat insert portion (6), characterised in that the seat insert portion (6) is softer than the seat main portion (4), the seat insert portion (6) is positioned in a complementarily shaped recess (8) in the seat main portion (4), the seat insert portion (6) comprises a pair of pads (10, 12) which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion (2), the seat insert portion (6) comprises a pair of legs (14, 16) which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion, a part (17) of the seat main portion (4) is positioned between the pair of legs (14, 16) of the seat insert portion (6), the pair of pads (10, 12) of the seat insert portion (6) and the pair of legs (14, 16) of the seat insert portion (6) provide a continuous uninterrupted area which is softer than the seat main portion (4), and the seat insert portion (6) is an Inflatable seat insert portion (6) which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.
- A seat according to claim 1 in which the seat insert portion (6) is inflatable by gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- A seat according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the seat insert portion (6) is formed to have one single inflatable compartment or a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- A seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the pads (10, 12) and the legs (14, 16) have curved faces which engage complementarily curved faces in the recess.
- A seat according to any one of the preceding claims and including control means for inflating and deflating the seat insert portion.
- A seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the seat main portion (4) is an inflatable seat main portion (4).
- A seat according to claim 6 in which the seat main portion (4) is Inflatable by gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- A seat according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the seat main portion (4) is formed to have one single inflatable compartment or a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- A seat according to any one of claims 6 - 8 and including control means for inflating and deflating the seat main portion (4).
- A seat according to any one of claims 1 - 5 in which the seat main portion (4) is made of a foam material.
- A seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the backrest portion comprises a backrest main portion and a backrest insert portion, and the backrest insert portion being an inflatable backrest insert portion which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.
- A seat according to claim 11 in which the backrest insert portion is inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- A seat according to claim 11 or claim 12 in which the backrest insert portion is formed to have one single inflatable compartment or a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- A seat according to any one of claims 11 - 13 and including control means for inflating and deflating the backrest insert portion.
- A seat according to any one of claims 11 - 14 in which the backrest insert portion is such that it is softer than the backrest main portion.
- A seat according to any one of claims 11 - 15 in which the backrest main portion is an inflatable backrest main portion.
- A seat according to claim 16 in which the backrest main portion is inflatable by a gas or a hydraulic liquid.
- A seat according to claim 16 or claim 17 in which the backrest main portion is formed to have one single inflatable compartment or a plurality of separate inflatable compartments.
- A seat according to any one of claims 15 - 18 and including control means for inflating and deflating the backrest main portion.
- A seat according to claim 11 in which the backrest main portion is made of a foam material.
- A seat according to any one of claims 11 - 20 and including a headrest portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0508207.8A GB0508207D0 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-04-22 | A seat with an inflatable seat portion |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1714583A1 EP1714583A1 (en) | 2006-10-25 |
EP1714583B1 true EP1714583B1 (en) | 2008-07-16 |
Family
ID=34639987
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06252089A Not-in-force EP1714583B1 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-04-18 | A seat with an inflatable seat portion |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070001505A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1714583B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE401020T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602006001775D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0508207D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7413250B2 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2008-08-19 | Blair Connolly, Inc. | Back support |
WO2008075515A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2008-06-26 | Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha | Detachable seat pad, method of manufacturing the same, and seat using detachable seat pad |
US7703849B2 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2010-04-27 | B&B Innovators, Llc | Vertebral column support apparatus and method |
USD670109S1 (en) * | 2010-05-26 | 2012-11-06 | Pro Medicare S.R.L. | Postural system |
US10328829B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2019-06-25 | Lear Corporation | Thoracic region comfort vehicle seating system with pneumatic adjustment |
WO2019060646A1 (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2019-03-28 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Customizable camp chair cover |
CN111107767B (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2021-08-10 | 沃尔玛阿波罗有限责任公司 | Camping air chair |
US11857471B2 (en) | 2020-07-30 | 2024-01-02 | Permobil, Inc. | Adjustable seat cushion |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3145054A (en) * | 1962-07-12 | 1964-08-18 | Jr John Sopko | Portable chair seat with a backsupporting pneumatic cushion |
US3296635A (en) * | 1964-11-17 | 1967-01-10 | O'hanlan Joseph Treacy | Inflatable seat cushion |
US4643481A (en) * | 1984-11-08 | 1987-02-17 | Saloff William S | Seat system for preventing decubiti |
US4930171A (en) * | 1989-05-03 | 1990-06-05 | International Healthcare Products, Inc. | Contour retaining support cushion |
US5314235A (en) * | 1991-11-05 | 1994-05-24 | Johnson David G | Portable back support |
US5490299A (en) * | 1992-09-16 | 1996-02-13 | Jay Medical Ltd. | Seating system with pressure relieving fluid pad |
US5395162A (en) * | 1993-02-16 | 1995-03-07 | Jay Medical Ltd. | Seating system |
US5848982A (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 1998-12-15 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tec | Lounger-type air massager |
FI109177B (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 2002-06-14 | Conqueror Group Co Ltd | Chair |
US5658050A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-08-19 | Milsco Manufacturing Company | Vehicle seat with inflatable bladder |
DE19701512A1 (en) * | 1997-01-17 | 1998-07-23 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Padding for motor vehicle seat |
WO2000003623A2 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2000-01-27 | Rostra Precision Controls, Inc. | Electronic control system for a variable support mechanism |
US6241320B1 (en) * | 1999-10-15 | 2001-06-05 | Invacare Corporation | Customizable seat cushion and positioning assembly including pressure compensation inserts |
US6893096B2 (en) * | 2002-09-05 | 2005-05-17 | A-Dec, Inc. | Headrest support and adjustment mechanism |
US6820938B2 (en) * | 2003-03-10 | 2004-11-23 | Biomedical Systems Corporation | Tail bone cushion |
DE10353596A1 (en) * | 2003-11-12 | 2005-06-16 | Volkswagen Ag | Car seat has seat section and back which have sections whose elasticity can be varied, consisting of inflatable mat with chambers near the front which have foam covering and pretensioned top cover |
-
2005
- 2005-04-22 GB GBGB0508207.8A patent/GB0508207D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2006
- 2006-04-18 AT AT06252089T patent/ATE401020T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-04-18 DE DE602006001775T patent/DE602006001775D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-04-18 EP EP06252089A patent/EP1714583B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2006-04-20 US US11/407,638 patent/US20070001505A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE401020T1 (en) | 2008-08-15 |
EP1714583A1 (en) | 2006-10-25 |
US20070001505A1 (en) | 2007-01-04 |
DE602006001775D1 (en) | 2008-08-28 |
GB0508207D0 (en) | 2005-06-01 |
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