GB2304037A - A cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

A cushion 2 for supporting parts of the body of a person has an upper portion 6, a middle portion 10, and a lower portion 8, the upper portion having a convoluted lower side 14, having downwardly extending protrusions. The lower portion has a convoluted upper side 20 which includes a plurality of generally upwardly extending protrusions facing the protrusions of the lower side of the upper portion. The middle portion has two layers of batting and is inserted between the upper portion and lower portion.

Description

A CUSHION This invention relates to a cushion and more particularly to a therapeutic comfort cushion for supporting a limb or body so as to increase circulation and alleviate conditions which might lead to the development of decubitus ulcers and bed sores. Cushions in which a resilient foam core is wrapped and covered with a decorative outer fabric are well known, but none of these provide the support which a patient or elder person needs to promote healing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cushion that is lightweight, stable, comfortable, and provides whatever support is needed to assist in the comfort and recovering of an injured member of the body.

In preferred embodiments, this invention provides a cushion or mattress comprised of a resilient upper layer and a resilient lower layer between which is

disposed a supply of fiberfill in the form of Dacron batting or the like.

Both the upper and lower layers are composed of polyurethane foam and they are characterized by the presence on one side only of a convoluted or an egg crate-shaped surface. The egg crate-shaped surfaces of both layers are identical to the extent that they consist of a plurality of protrusions which extend outwardlv from the face or surface of the layer.

In their assembled mode, the respective egg crateshaped surfaces of both layers, that is, the upper layer and lower layer, face one another so that in the case of the upper layer, the protrusions face downward and in the case of the lower layer, the protrusions face upward.

A feature of preferred embodiments resides in the precise orientation of these protrusions.

It is known in this field to bring together two or more egg crate-shaped surfaces and to have their respective topographic surfaces, that is, protrusions, mesh together.

By contrast, the present pillow or cushion eschews any mating or meshing of the respective surfaces of the upper layer and lower layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the protrusions which extend downwardly from the upper layer are disposed in such manner that their tips or points are precisely above the tips or points of the protrusions which extend upwardly from the lower layer, and there is disposed in between these like-oriented protrusions a fiberfill or batting.

Once the upper and lower layers and fiberfilled middle layer have been arranged in their precise mode or orientation, a cover surrounds the entire assemblage so as to keep the contents in their originally disposed mode. The result is a cushion or pillow which provides a stable surface upon which to place an injured limb such as an arm or leg, and the resulting pillow imparts to the patíer- a softness and firmness which is both comfortable and conducive to heal ing.

In this arrangement, the middle layer of a Dacron batting or fiberfill is evenly disposed between the respec tive egg crate-shaped surfaces of the upper layer and lower layer and the assemblage or combination is held in place by a cover, preferably, a quilted fabric cover, so that the finished product has an upholstered appearance. Once the cover is in place, the assembled parts are so well re tained, that the cushion will provide support for extended periods without bottoming out.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cushion of this invention shown in its assembled mode with a cover.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cushion of Figure 1 shown in its unassembled mode without a cover.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Figure. 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative cushion/mattress according to this invention with a portion cut away for illustration.

Figures 6 is a partial sectional view taken on line 66 in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the cushion/mattress of Figure 5 shown with the middle portion insertable between the upper portion and lower portion.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the mattress or cushion 2 is generally square or rectangular in shape and preferably sized to fit into a cover 4 of a conventional standard size. The cushion 2 includes a resilient upper portion 6, a resilient lower portion 8, and a middle portion 10 inserted between the lower portion 8 and upper portion 6.

Preferably the upper portion 6 and lower portion 8 are composed of a polyurethane foam cut to the appropriate size. The middle portion 10 is composed preferably of a Dacron batting or fiberfill. The lower portion 8, middle portion 10, and upper portion 6 are each, preferably, 18 by 18 inches and the middie portion 10 generally has two oneinch thick fiberfilled layers. These dimensions can be changed to suit the particular applicatIon.

The lower portion 8, middle portion 10, and upper portion 6 are stacked vertically and covered with a custom made quilted fabric cover 4 to give th-t appearance of an upholstered cushion 2. The cover 4 has piping 12 around its edges.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the upper portion 6 has a convoluted or egg-crate shaped lower side 14. The convoluted lower side 14 includes a plurality of generally downwardly extending protrusions 16 which are preferably evenly spaced from one another by depressions 18 and cover substantially all of the convoluted lower side 14. The middle portion 10 is generally composed of two layers of Dacron batting, each one-inch thick.

The lower portion 8 has a convoluted or egg-crate shaped upper side 20. The convoluted upper side 20 includes a plurality of generally upwardly extending protrusions 22 which are preferably evenly spaced from one another by depressions 23 and cover substantially all of the convoluted upper side 20. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the upper portion 6 and lower portion 8 are such that the respective tips of protrusions 16 and 22 face each other with the middle portion 10 inserted between them.

That is, the protrusion 16 from the upper portion 6 opposes the protrusion 22 from the lower portion 8.

This arrangement provides better support to a person's lower back portion due to the opposing tips of the protrusions 16 of the upper portion 6 and the protrusions 22 of the lower portion 8 pressing against each other through the middle portion 10, which prevents the cushion 2 from bottoming out, thereby reducing the weight distribution of the user's lower body. Also, the opposing depressions 18 and 23, respectively, of the upper portion 6 and the lower portion 8 form air pockets that give the body more buoyancy. This results in an increased circulation to the lower body which alleviates decubitus ulcers and bed sores.

In Figures 5, 6, and 7, a second embodiment of the invention is shown which may be more suited for a mattress than the first embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.

(Note: The components of this second embodiment are identified by the same number primed as in the above description and in the drawings.) The second embodiment is essentially the same as the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-4, the only difference being in the alignment of the protrusions 16' and 22', respectively, with the depressions 23' and 18'. That is the protrusions 16' of the upper portion 6' are aligned over the depressions 23' of the lower portion 8'. Accordingly, the protrusions 22' of the lower portion 8' are aligned with the depressions 18' of the upper portion 6'.

When aligned in this manner, the resulting mattress exhibits enhanced pliability and it provides the user with a cushioning effect which is both compliant and uniform.

It should also be noted that this invention is not limited to a cushion or mattress. For example, this support structure can be used in other products such as pillows. Also, it should be noted that the cushion, pillow, or mattress constructed according to the present invention may be turned over whereas the positions of the lower portion and upper portion may be reversed. That is, the lower portion 8 may be in the position of the upper portion 10. The resulting cushion or mattress is the same.

While the preferred embodiments have been fully described and depicted for the purposes of explaining the principles of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A cushion for supporting parts of the body of a person, comprising: a resilient upper portion having a convoluted lower side, said convoluted lower side having a plurality of generally downwardly extending protrusions substantially covering said convoluted lower side; a middle portion coupled by one surface thereof to said convoluted lower side of said upper portion; and a resilient lower portion coupled by one surface thereof to an opposite surface of said middle portion, said lower portion having a convoluted upper side, said convoluted upper side having a plurality of generally upwardly extending protrusions substantially covering said convoluted side.

2. The cushion of Claim 1, wherein a tip of a protrusion of said lower side of said upper portion opposes a tip of a protrusion of said upper side of said lower portion.

The cushion of Claim I or 2 wherein said upper portion and lower portion are each constructed of polyurethane foam.

4. The cushion of any preceding Claim wherein said middle portion is

composed of a Dacron ,balLing.

5. The cushion of any preceding Claim, wherein the protrusions of both said lower side and said upper side are spaced by a depression positioned between said protrusions.

6. The cushion of Claim 5, wherein a tip of a protrusion of said lower side of said upper portion is aligned with a depression of said upper side of said lower portion.

7. The cushion of Claim 5, wherein a depression of said upper portion is aligned with a depression of said lower portion.

8. A cushion substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 4 or Figs. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.