JP2009095376A - Cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cushion capable of easily changing the shape and arrangement of respective air cells according to an object to be supported. <P>SOLUTION: Each first air cell 10 and each second air cell 20 are optionally exchanged into different height dimensions and shapes respectively, and even if members for mounting each first air cell 10 and each second air cell 20 on a base member 30 are not provided separately, this cushion can prevent the easy occurrence of air leakage from the internal circumferential faces between each first air cell 10 or each second air cell 20 and mounting holes 31 and prevent easy removal of each first air cell 10 and each second air cell 20 from the mounting holes 31. Furthermore, the arrangement of each first air cell 10 and each second air cell 20 on the base member 30 can be optionally changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cushion that is placed on, for example, a seating surface of a wheelchair or a bed in a hospital and used to prevent pressure ulcers that occur in a seated person or a patient.

In general, this type of cushion includes a plurality of air cells each formed in a bag shape capable of enclosing air, and a flat base member that is detachably attached so that the air cells are arranged in a horizontal direction. And an attachment member for attaching each air cell to a base member, and a seated person is supported by each air cell (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-502447

  By the way, in the said cushion, the pressure added to a seated person's buttocks is distributed over the whole buttocks by adjusting the air quantity in each air cell, respectively.

  Here, since the shape and weight of the buttocks differ depending on the seated person, the pressure applied to the seated person's buttocks can be more effectively dispersed by changing the shape and arrangement of each air cell according to the shape and weight of the buttocks. Is possible.

  However, in the cushion, it is possible to change the height dimension and shape of each air cell by preparing other air cells with different shapes, but when replacing each air cell with another air cell, the mounting member is used. There is a problem that it is necessary to attach and detach, and it takes time to change the height dimension and shape of each air cell as much as the attachment member is attached and detached.

  Moreover, since each air cell is attached by the attachment member and the position of each air cell is decided by the position of the attachment member, there existed a problem that arrangement | positioning of each air cell could not be changed arbitrarily.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said problem, The place made into the objective is providing the cushion which can change the shape and arrangement | positioning of each air cell easily according to a support target object.

  In order to achieve the above object, the cushion of the present invention has a flat base member, a plurality of first air cells made of a flexible air bag and having an opening at the lower end, and a plan view as compared with the first air cell. At least one second air cell composed of a flexible air bag having a large area, a plurality of mounting holes provided on the upper surface of the base member at intervals and open upward, and a base member And an air passage communicating with each mounting hole. The mounting holes are engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge of each first air cell and locked from below. Thus, each first air cell is formed so as to be detachably attachable to the base member so as to communicate with the air passage, and the second air cell has two or more lower end portions of each mounting hole. By engaging from below with fitted to the inner circumference of the mounting hole, it is formed so as to communicate with the air passage with removably attached to the base member.

  Accordingly, each first air cell is detachably attached to the base member, and each second air cell is also detachably attached to the base member. Therefore, the first air cell and the second air cell have different height dimensions and shapes. Can be replaced arbitrarily.

  In addition, each mounting hole can be detachably mounted to the base member by engaging the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge of each first air cell with the inner peripheral surface and locking from below. Therefore, even if a member for attaching each first air cell to the base member is not separately provided, air leakage does not easily occur between each first air cell and the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole. 1 Air cell is not easily detached from the mounting hole. Further, the second air cell is detachably attached to the base member by engaging a part of the lower end with the inner peripheral surface of two or more of the attachment holes and engaging from below. Even if a member for attaching the second air cell to the base member is not separately provided, air leakage does not easily occur between the second air cell and the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole. It will not come off easily.

  The second air cell is composed of a flexible air bag having a larger area in plan view than the first air cell, and the inner peripheral surface of two or more mounting holes among the mounting holes to which the first air cell can be mounted. Since it is detachably attached to the base member by being engaged with and locked from below, the arrangement of the first air cells and the second air cells on the base member can be arbitrarily changed.

  According to the present invention, each first air cell and second air cell can be arbitrarily replaced with ones having different height dimensions and shapes, and each first air cell and second air cell can be attached to a base member. Even if a member is not provided separately, air leakage does not easily occur between each first air cell or second air cell and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole, and each first air cell or second air cell can be easily installed from the mounting hole. It will not come off. Furthermore, since the arrangement of each first air cell and each second air cell on the base member can be arbitrarily changed, the shape and arrangement of each air cell can be easily changed according to the object to be supported. This is extremely advantageous for effectively dispersing the pressure applied to the object.

  1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cushion, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base member, FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram when attaching the first air cell to the base member, FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view of the first air cell, and FIG. 7 is when attaching the second air cell to the base member. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the cushion in a state where each first air cell is inflated, FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the first air cell in an inflated state, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cushion showing another arrangement of each air cell. FIG. In addition, description of the direction in the following texts applies to the direction shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. Further, the left-right direction coincides with the width direction.

  The cushion includes a plurality of first air cells 10 and second air cells 20, a base member 30 that is detachably attached so that the air cells 10 and 20 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and an air cell group including the air cells 10 and 20. And a front end support member 40 provided on the front end side (see FIG. 1). This cushion is used by being mounted on a wheelchair, for example. Each first air cell 10 is arranged so as to support the lower surface of the seated person's buttocks H, and each second air cell 20 is arranged so as to support both sides of the seated person's buttocks H in the width direction. Further, the front end side support member 40 is arranged so as to support the vicinity of the thigh of the seated person.

  Each first air cell 10 is composed of a flexible air bag having an opening at the lower end and extending upward. Specifically, each first air cell 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction and is formed so as to close the side surface portion 11 made of a flexible thin film and the upper end of the side surface portion 11. It has the upper end part 12 which consists of a flexible thin film, and the flexible opening edge part 13 provided in the lower end of the side part 11. FIG. Each first air cell 10 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic.

  The opening edge portion 13 has a thickness dimension larger than that of the side surface portion 11, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge portion 13 so as to extend over the entire circumference and to be concave toward the radially inner side. A locking groove 13a is provided.

  The side surface portion 11 is provided with a plurality of concave portions 11a spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. Each concave portion 11a protrudes inward in the radial direction of the first air cell 10 over a predetermined range L in the vertical direction with the first air cell 10 deflated in a circumferential direction predetermined range α of the thin film forming the side surface portion 11. (See FIGS. 5 and 6). In the present embodiment, as an example, each concave portion 11 a is provided over the entire vertical direction of the side surface portion 11, but each concave portion 11 a may be provided in a part of the vertical direction of the side surface portion 11. It is. The concave portions 11a and other portions of the side surface portion 11 are connected by a smooth curved surface 11b, and each air cell 10 has a peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 11 with respect to a peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge portion 13. Are formed to be equivalent or better.

  A convex portion 12 a is provided in the central portion of the upper end portion 12 of the first air cell 10, and the convex portion 12 a is formed by projecting the thin film forming the upper end portion 12 above the other portions of the upper end portion 12. In addition, it is formed in a hemispherical shape.

  Each second air cell 20 has an air bag 21 formed so as to have an opening at the lower end and extending upward, and a bottom member 22 provided so as to close the opening at the lower end of the air bag 21. Have.

  The air bag 21 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, and has, for example, an area three times larger than that of the first air cell 10 in an inflated state in plan view (viewpoint in FIG. 1).

  The bottom member 22 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, and is formed in a flat plate shape. The lower end of the air bag 21 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom member 22 with an adhesive or the like. In addition, three protrusions 22 a are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom surface member 22, and each protrusion 22 a is formed in a circular cross section and is formed to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the bottom surface member 22. A locking groove 22b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of each protrusion 22a so as to extend over the entire circumference and is formed in a concave shape toward the radially inner side. In addition, a through hole 22c is provided at the radial center of at least one of the protrusions 22a, and the through hole 22c is formed so as to penetrate the bottom member 22 in the vertical direction.

  The base member 30 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, and is formed in a flat plate shape. A plurality of attachment holes 31 are provided on the upper surface of the base member 30 at intervals, and each attachment hole 31 has a circular cross section and opens upward. A locking projection 31a is provided on the inner peripheral surface of each mounting hole 31 so as to protrude radially inward over the entire circumference.

  That is, each mounting hole 31 is fitted with the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge portion 13 of each first air cell 10 on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and the engaging groove 13a of the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge portion 13 is provided on the inner peripheral surface. Each air cell 10 is formed so as to be detachably attached to the base member 30 by being locked to the locking protrusion 31a formed from below (see FIG. 5). Each of the second air cells 20 has the protrusions 22a of the bottom member 22 fitted into the inner peripheral surfaces of the three attachment holes 31 of the attachment holes 31, and the locking grooves 22b of the protrusions 22a are attached. By being locked to a locking projection 31a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 31 from below, it is detachably attached to the base member 30 (see FIG. 7).

  In addition, an air passage 30 a is formed in the base member 30, and the air passage 30 a is opened at a central portion in the radial direction of each mounting hole 31. That is, when the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 of each first air cell 10 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of each mounting hole 31, the first air cell 10 is attached to the base member 30 so as to communicate with the air passage 30a. (See FIG. 2). Further, each protrusion 22a of the bottom surface member 22 of each second air cell 20 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of each mounting hole 31, so that each second air cell 20 communicates with the air passage 30a. It is attached (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In addition, the dummy member 32 is attached to the attachment hole 31 in which each 1st air cell 10 and each 2nd air cell 20 are not attached, and the air passage 30a opened to the attachment hole 31 by the dummy member 32 is closed. The air passage 30a is connected to an air amount adjusting device such as an electric pump (not shown), and the air amount in each air cell 10, 20 is adjusted by the air amount adjusting device.

  When the seated person sits on the cushion configured as described above, for example, the air in each of the air cells 10 and 20 moves through the air passage 30a, and the air pressure in each of the air cells 10 and 20 becomes equal, so that the seated person The pressure applied to the buttocks can be dispersed.

  By the way, although each air cell 10 and 20 is arrange | positioned so that a seated person's buttocks may be supported, since the shape and weight of a buttocks differ by seated persons, the height dimension and shape of each air cell 10 are changed according to the seated person. It is preferable to change. Here, since each air cell 10 and 20 is detachably attached to the base member 30, each air cell 10 and 20 can be arbitrarily replaced with one having a different height dimension or shape.

  In addition, each mounting hole 31 is attached to and detached from the base member 30 by fitting the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge portion 13 of each first air cell 10 to the inner peripheral surface and locking from the lower side. Since it can be freely attached, air leakage from between each first air cell 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole 31 can be achieved without providing a separate member for attaching each first air cell 10 to the base member 30. It does not occur easily, and each first air cell 10 is not easily detached from the mounting hole 31. Here, since the opening edge 13 of the first air cell 10 has flexibility, when a seated person sits on each first air cell 10 and the air pressure in each first air cell 10 becomes higher than the external air pressure. The outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 31, and air leakage from between the first air cells 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 31 is effectively prevented.

  In addition, each second air cell 20 has a base member in which each protruding portion 22a, which is a part of the lower end, is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of three of the mounting holes 31 and locked from below. 30 so as to be detachably attached, air leakage from between each second air cell 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole 31 can be achieved without providing a separate member for attaching each second air cell 20 to the base member. It does not occur easily, and each second air cell 20 is not easily detached from each mounting hole 31.

  In addition, each second air cell 20 is composed of a flexible air bag 21 having an area three times or more in plan view with respect to the first air cell 10, and among the mounting holes 31 to which the first air cell 10 can be attached. The first air cell 10 and the second air cell 20 on the base member 30 are detachably attached to the base member 30 by being fitted to the inner peripheral surfaces of the three attachment holes 31 and locked from below. Can be arbitrarily changed.

  For example, when a seated person's buttocks are small, each 2nd air cell 20 can be arrange | positioned rather than what is shown in FIG. 1 (refer FIG. 10). Thereby, even when a seated person's buttocks are small, the width direction both sides of a seated person's buttocks can be reliably supported by each 2nd air cell 20. FIG. Here, since each second air cell 20 tends to have higher rigidity in the width direction and the front-rear direction than each first air cell, each second air cell 20 must support both sides of the seated person's buttocks in the width direction. Is extremely advantageous in stabilizing the posture of the seated person.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, each first air cell 10 and each second air cell 20 can be arbitrarily replaced with ones having different height dimensions and shapes, and each first air cell 10 and each each Even if a member for attaching the second air cell 20 to the base member 30 is not provided separately, air leakage easily occurs between each first air cell 10 or each second air cell 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole 31. The first air cells 10 and the second air cells 20 are not easily detached from the mounting holes 31. Furthermore, since the arrangement of each first air cell 10 and each second air cell 20 on the base member 30 can be arbitrarily changed, the shape and arrangement of each air cell can be easily made according to the shape and weight of the seated person's buttocks. This can be changed, and is extremely advantageous in effectively dispersing the pressure applied to the collar portion.

  Further, each second air cell 20 was formed from an air bag having an area three times larger than that of the first air cell 10 in plan view. Here, when the second air cell 20 is formed of an air bag having an area that is twice or more as large as that of the first air cell 10 in plan view, the second air cell 20 is more rigid in the width direction and the front-rear direction than the first air cell 10. Tend to be higher. For this reason, when each second air cell 20 is composed of an air bag having an area that is twice or more in plan view with respect to the first air cell 10, both widthwise sides of the seated person's buttocks are supported by each second air cell 20. It is extremely advantageous in stabilizing the posture of the seated person.

  On the other hand, the side surface portion 11 of each air cell 10 is provided with a plurality of concave portions 11a spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and each concave portion 11a is deflated in the circumferential direction predetermined range α of the thin film forming the side surface portion 11. It is formed so as to protrude radially inward over a predetermined range L in the vertical direction, and the peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 11 is equal to or greater than the peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge portion 13. Therefore, when each air cell 10 is expanded, the side surface portion 11 of each air cell 10 expands to a position corresponding to its circumferential length (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In addition, in FIG. 8, the side part 11 of each air cell 10 spreads to radial direction outer side so that the side parts 11 of each air cell 10 arrange | positioned so that it may mutually adjoin. Moreover, the circumference of the side part 11 can be arbitrarily set by setting the magnitude | size and quantity of each recessed part 11a suitably. For this reason, the clearance gap produced between the upper end parts 12 of the adjacent air cell 10 can be made small, and it is very advantageous when disperse | distributing the contact pressure of each air cell 10 and a seated person's buttocks effectively. Further, when each air cell 10 is attached to and detached from the base member 30, the side surface portion 11 of each air cell 10 does not protrude greatly outward in the radial direction with respect to the opening edge portion 13. 13 can be easily attached / detached to / from the mounting hole 31, which is extremely advantageous in replacing each first air cell 10 and changing the arrangement of each air cell 10, 20 in accordance with the weight of the seated person, the shape of the buttocks, and the like. .

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of second air cells 20 are arranged so as to support both sides in the width direction of the seated person's buttocks. On the other hand, it is also possible to arrange a single second air cell 20 between the thighs of the seated person and to restrict the forward movement of the buttocks of the seated person by the second air cell 20. In addition, the size, shape, number, and the like of the second air cells 20 can be changed according to the application and the like, and the arrangement of the second air cells can be arbitrarily set.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom member 22 of the second air cell 20 is provided with three protrusions 22a, and the protrusions 22a are fitted in the three attachment holes 31 of the attachment holes 31. It was. On the other hand, it is possible to provide two protrusions 22a on the bottom surface member 22 of each second air cell 20, and it is also possible to provide four or more protrusions 22a.

  In the present embodiment, the locking groove 13 a is provided so as to extend over the entire outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 of the first air cell 10, and the locking protrusion 31 a extends over the entire inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 31. However, if the locking groove 13a is locked to the locking protrusion 31a from below, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be achieved. It is also possible to provide the locking protrusion 31a at a position corresponding to the locking groove 13a while providing the clearance. It is also possible to provide a locking projection on the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 and provide a locking groove on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 31. The same applies to the locking groove 22b of the second air cell 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower end side of the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 of the first air cell 10 is formed so that the outer diameter gradually decreases upward, and the upper end side of the mounting hole 31 is set upward. It is also possible to form the inner system so that the inner system gradually becomes smaller. Even in this case, the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 31, and the outer peripheral surface of the opening edge 13 is locked to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 31 from below. 10 is detachably attached to the attachment hole 31. The same applies to the protruding portion 22a of the second air cell 20.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, what showed the side part 11 of each 1st air cell 10 in the cylindrical shape was shown. On the other hand, the side surface portion 11 of each first air cell 10 can be formed in a cylindrical shape having a polygonal cross section. Even in this case, the same function and effect as when the side surface portion 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape can be obtained. It is possible to achieve.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, what showed a seated person by the cushion which provided each 1st air cell 10, each 2nd air cell 20, and the front-end support member 40 on the base member 30 was shown. On the other hand, another configuration can be provided on the base member 30, and only the first air cells 10 can be provided on the base member 30. Furthermore, it is possible to support a patient by placing a cushion provided with each first air cell 10, each second air cell 20, etc. on the base member 30 on the bed.

The top view of the cushion which shows one Embodiment in this invention AA line sectional view in FIG. BB sectional view in FIG. Top view of base member Operation explanatory diagram when attaching the first air cell to the base member Plan sectional view of the first air cell Operation explanatory diagram when attaching the second air cell to the base member Cross-sectional view of the cushion in a state where each first air cell is inflated Sectional view of the first air cell in an inflated state Top view of cushion showing other arrangement of each air cell Sectional drawing of the principal part of the air cell which shows the modification of this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st air cell, 11 ... Side surface part, 11a ... Concave part, 11b ... Curved surface, 12 ... Upper end part, 12a ... Convex part, 13 ... Opening edge part, 13a ... Locking groove, 20 ... 2nd air cell, 21 ... Air bag, 22 ... bottom member, 22a ... projecting portion, 22b ... locking groove, 22c ... through hole, 30 ... base member, 30a ... air passage, 31 ... mounting hole, 31a ... locking projection, 32 ... dummy member, 40: Front end support member.

Claims (2)

A flat base member;
A plurality of first air cells comprising a flexible air bag and having an opening at the lower end;
At least one second air cell comprising a flexible air bag having a larger area in plan view than the first air cell;
A plurality of mounting holes provided on the upper surface of the base member and spaced apart from each other, each opening upward;
An air passage provided in the base member and communicating with each mounting hole,
Each mounting hole is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the opening edge of each first air cell and locked from below so that each first air cell communicates with the air passage to the base member. Formed so that it can be detachably attached,
The second air cell is detachably attached to the base member by engaging a part of the lower end with the inner peripheral surface of two or more mounting holes of the mounting holes and locking from the lower side, and an air passage. Cushion characterized by being formed to communicate with. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the second air cell is formed of an air bag having an area that is twice or more in plan view with respect to the first air cell.

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