US20080303323A1 - Ergonomic Support Structure for Human Body Parts and Method of Manufacturing Same - Google Patents

Ergonomic Support Structure for Human Body Parts and Method of Manufacturing Same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080303323A1
US20080303323A1 US11/815,808 US81580806A US2008303323A1 US 20080303323 A1 US20080303323 A1 US 20080303323A1 US 81580806 A US81580806 A US 81580806A US 2008303323 A1 US2008303323 A1 US 2008303323A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
layer
mold
insert
viscoelastic insert
support structure
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/815,808
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stefano Segato
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Selle Royal SpA
Original Assignee
Selle Royal SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Selle Royal SpA filed Critical Selle Royal SpA
Assigned to SELLE ROYAL S.P.A. reassignment SELLE ROYAL S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SEGATO, STEFANO
Publication of US20080303323A1 publication Critical patent/US20080303323A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/70—Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
    • B60N2/7023—Coach-like constructions
    • B60N2/7035—Cushions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C5/00—Chairs of special materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/68—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers, e.g. foam blocks
    • B29C70/78—Moulding material on one side only of the preformed part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
    • B29K2995/0046—Elastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3091—Bicycles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/44—Furniture or parts thereof
    • B29L2031/443—Chairs

Definitions

  • This invention finds application in the field of mechanical structures made of special materials, and particularly relates to an ergonomic support structure.
  • the invention relates to a process for making the above structure.
  • Cover pads of foam material are known to be used to enhance comfort and ergonomic benefit of support structures, such as bicycle saddles, car seats or the like.
  • gel inserts are being increasingly used at the areas subjected to the highest pressure by users, to provide comfort where this is most needed.
  • Gel is preferable as compared with foam, due to its higher viscoelasticity and better ergonomic properties.
  • WO2004-089682 discloses an ergonomic cushion for motor vehicle seats, having gel inserts at the ischial regions.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,352 discloses a car seat with encapsulated gel pads, capable of deformation when in contact with moving parts of a user.
  • the object of this invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a support structure that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.
  • a particular object is to provide a support structure having a light weight and a high strength.
  • a further object is to provide a support structure that can be customized, i.e. adapted to the anthropometric structure of any user whatever.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a support structure that is pleasant to the sight.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a highly practical and cost-effective process for making the structure of the invention.
  • an ergonomic support structure which comprises a main body with a viscoelastic insert permanently anchored thereto, wherein the main body has at least one first layer made of a material selected from those having a relatively low density and a relatively high mechanical strength, said first layer being associated to at least one second layer of polymer resin, for monolithically anchoring said at least one insert.
  • the structure of the invention has a very light weight and enhanced sturdiness, and allows to avoid the use of pads, that were used as comfort elements in prior art structures. This allows to make structures that are both comfortable and of a very light weight.
  • the structure of the invention is highly comfortable, particularly suitable for the fabrication of bicycle saddles, car seats, chairs, wrist supports or the like.
  • this at least one insert may be placed over said at least one first layer to define a free contact surface for the user suitable of controlled deformation.
  • the structure of the invention meets the needs of various users, regardless of specific anthropometric structures of the parts of human bodies in contact with the structure.
  • the natural ergonomic properties of the viscoelastic material allow the structure to be easily and comfortable adapted to anyone.
  • the lack of a pad provides an assembly that is highly pleasing to the sight, a non-negligible advantage in the field of sports and leisure, which is highly influenced by fashion and aesthetics.
  • the structure of the invention may have a thermoplastic cover layer, placed over said at least one insert and the top surface of said at least one first layer.
  • the structure is highly pleasant to the touch and safe, as it protects users from any rupture of the first layer which might otherwise have dangerous structural discontinuities and injure the users.
  • a process for making an ultralight ergonomic support structure like the one disclosed above which includes the steps of: providing a mold having an inner cavity of a predetermined shape which corresponds to the external configuration of a main body of a support structure; opening said mold and laying thereon at least one first layer made of a material selected from those having a relatively low density and a relatively high mechanical strength; placing at least one third layer of a polymer material having relatively high adhesive properties on said at least one first layer; placing at least one viscoelastic insert in said mold; placing at least one second layer of a polymer resin; sealing said mold and heating it to a predetermined operating temperature; cooling said mold to a predetermined final temperature and opening said mold and removing the finished support structure.
  • FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a support structure according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of a detail of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the structure of the invention, as taken along a plane
  • FIG. 4 is another sectioned view of the structure of the invention, as taken along a plane IV-IV;
  • FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a process for making the support structure of the invention.
  • the structure of the invention may be, for instance, a part of a chair, a bicycle saddle, a wrist support or a car seat, as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the structure 1 comprises a main body 2 , with the viscoelastic insert 3 , preferably made of polyurethane gel, permanently anchored thereto.
  • the main body 2 may include, for instance, a first layer 4 associated to a second layer 5 .
  • the member 4 has a low density and a high mechanical strength, i.e. a high resistance to compressive and/or tensile and/or bending and/or torsional and/or shearing stresses.
  • the second layer 5 is essentially composed of one or more thermoplastic or thermosetting resins, possibly reinforced.
  • the first layer 4 may include a metal sheet 6 , e.g. made of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium or the like, associated to the layer 5 , and wholly or partly covered thereby, as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • a metal sheet 6 e.g. made of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium or the like, associated to the layer 5 , and wholly or partly covered thereby, as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the inserts 3 may be anchored by an adhesive polymer film 8 , which is used to bind the insert 3 and the sheet 6 , as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the insert 3 may be covered by a protective layer 9 of a material adapted to oppose its high inherent adhesiveness, such as a polyurethane paint.
  • the structure 1 may have a thermoplastic cover layer 10 , having protection functions.
  • the layer 10 may be transparent, so that the aesthetically pleasing connection between the material of the body 2 and the gel of the insert 3 is visible.
  • a process for making the structure 1 includes the following steps.
  • a mold is provided, having an inner cavity of a predetermined shape, which corresponds to the external configuration of the main body 2 of the support structure.
  • step b) the mold is opened and the first layer 4 is laid thereon, and in step d) one or more inserts 3 are placed thereon after a step c) in which the adhesive 8 is applied on the member 4 .
  • step e) the second layer of polymer resin 5 is laid, to provide a monolithic structure.
  • the cover layer 10 may be placed in the mold to protect the assembly, thereby providing the above mentioned advantages.
  • step f) the mold is hermetically sealed and heated to a predetermined operating temperature, which may be in a range of 20° C. to 300° C., and will preferably be of about 120° C. Such temperature will be typically close to the glass transition temperature of the resin layer 5 .
  • a predetermined operating temperature which may be in a range of 20° C. to 300° C., and will preferably be of about 120° C.
  • Such temperature will be typically close to the glass transition temperature of the resin layer 5 .
  • chemical and/or mechanical bonds will be formed to form a monolithic assembly from the body 2 and the inserts 3 .
  • the final step h will follow, during which the mold is opened, and the finished support structure 1 is removed therefrom.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US11/815,808 2005-02-10 2006-02-10 Ergonomic Support Structure for Human Body Parts and Method of Manufacturing Same Abandoned US20080303323A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITVI2005A000040 2005-02-10
IT000040A ITVI20050040A1 (it) 2005-02-10 2005-02-10 Struttura ergonomica di supporto, particolarmente per sostenere parti del corpo umano, nonche' metodo di realizzazione della stessa
PCT/IB2006/000258 WO2006085202A1 (en) 2005-02-10 2006-02-10 Ergonomic support structure for human body parts and method of manufacturing same

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080303323A1 true US20080303323A1 (en) 2008-12-11

Family

ID=36602483

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/815,808 Abandoned US20080303323A1 (en) 2005-02-10 2006-02-10 Ergonomic Support Structure for Human Body Parts and Method of Manufacturing Same

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20080303323A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1851088B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP2008529635A (zh)
CN (1) CN100562444C (zh)
AT (1) ATE504468T1 (zh)
BR (1) BRPI0607186A2 (zh)
DE (1) DE602006021146D1 (zh)
ES (1) ES2363246T3 (zh)
IT (1) ITVI20050040A1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2006085202A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVI20060080A1 (it) 2006-03-21 2007-09-22 Selle Royal Spa Supporto per il corpo umano in materiale composito nonche' metodo di realizzazione dello stesso
ITVI20070042A1 (it) 2007-02-16 2008-08-17 Selle Royal Spa Struttura di seduta in materiale composito naturale, nonche' metodo di realizzazione della stessa.
DE102009011736A1 (de) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-16 Johnson Controls Gmbh Fahrzeugsitzpolster
DE102010005994B4 (de) * 2010-01-27 2022-07-28 Tianjin Shenglong Fibre Co., Ltd. Verfahren zur Hestellung eines Hybrid-Polsterelements, insbesondere eines Sitz- und Lehnenpolsterelements zur Verwendung in einem Kraftfahrzeug, ein Polsterelement und ein Fahrzeugsitz mit einem Polsterelement.
EP3665073B1 (en) * 2017-09-18 2024-05-01 Versal Manufacturing, Inc. Moldable bicycle saddles, fitting procedures, and related technologies
UA127189C2 (uk) * 2017-11-29 2023-05-31 Селле Смп Сас Ді М. Счіавон Спосіб виготовлення сидінь із додатковою гелевою набивкою, одержане за допомогою нього сидіння й установка для реалізації зазначеного способу

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5976098A (en) * 1997-04-15 1999-11-02 Sereboff; Joel L. Support device method
US6039396A (en) * 1997-03-05 2000-03-21 Supima Holdings Inc. Bicycle seat and seat cover
US6136426A (en) * 1997-09-19 2000-10-24 Selle Royal Spa Integral elastic support structure with ornamental elements and method for manufacturing such structure
US20030025363A1 (en) * 2001-08-01 2003-02-06 Raffaele Gaggiola Ventilated bicycle saddle
US20040098806A1 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-05-27 Adolf Stender Shaped body, in particular for a seat cushion

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4197342A (en) 1976-03-03 1980-04-08 Uniroyal, Inc. Trim pads for vehicle seats
JP3505586B2 (ja) * 1994-11-25 2004-03-08 ヤマハ発動機株式会社 衝撃吸収材を使用した乗物用シート
US6009578A (en) 1998-10-08 2000-01-04 Davis; Steve Seat cushion
US6454352B1 (en) 2000-04-14 2002-09-24 George Konovalov Car seat pad
FR2836470B1 (fr) * 2002-02-25 2004-07-09 J S O Matelassure en mousse de melanine et ses applications
FR2853287B1 (fr) * 2003-04-01 2006-01-20 Renault Sa Coussin d'assise pour siege de vehicule automobile

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6039396A (en) * 1997-03-05 2000-03-21 Supima Holdings Inc. Bicycle seat and seat cover
US5976098A (en) * 1997-04-15 1999-11-02 Sereboff; Joel L. Support device method
US6136426A (en) * 1997-09-19 2000-10-24 Selle Royal Spa Integral elastic support structure with ornamental elements and method for manufacturing such structure
US20030025363A1 (en) * 2001-08-01 2003-02-06 Raffaele Gaggiola Ventilated bicycle saddle
US20040098806A1 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-05-27 Adolf Stender Shaped body, in particular for a seat cushion

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN100562444C (zh) 2009-11-25
EP1851088B1 (en) 2011-04-06
DE602006021146D1 (de) 2011-05-19
CN101128340A (zh) 2008-02-20
ITVI20050040A1 (it) 2006-08-11
WO2006085202A1 (en) 2006-08-17
ATE504468T1 (de) 2011-04-15
EP1851088A1 (en) 2007-11-07
BRPI0607186A2 (pt) 2009-08-11
JP2008529635A (ja) 2008-08-07
ES2363246T3 (es) 2011-07-28

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SELLE ROYAL S.P.A., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SEGATO, STEFANO;REEL/FRAME:021349/0771

Effective date: 20070809

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION