US2638156A - Cushion - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to cushions, and particularly to cushions adapted to induce proper posture in seated individuals, in order to provide the maximum of relaxation, rest and refreshment.

It is now generally believed that in the present age of terrific physical and mental activity, one

of the greatest needs of humanity is the capacity,

ability and facility to completely relax in a normal and healthful manner. To aid individuals to relax, many costly devices have been provided, but only a small percentage of persons have the financial means to provide themselves with these expensive devices.

It is therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a comparatively low cost device in the form of a cushion, but designed to fit the natural lines of the body of the person seated on it, to support him buoyantly and comfortably in perfect good posture.

Many cushions have been designed to accomplish this result, some on the theory that such a cushion should be very soft, some on the opposite theory that such a cushion should be quite hard. Both of these theories, in, actual practice, have been found erroneous. To the best of my knowledge and belief, nothing heretofore devised, patented or not patented, offers the means provided in my invention for assuring such utter comfort that a person seated on it quickly experiences a feelin of complete'relaxation, rest' and refreshment.

To understand clearly how this unprecedented and extraordinary result is accomplished, consideration must be given to two anatomical facts, i. e. that in the proper sitting posture, the weight of the upper portion of the body should be supported on both the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis and the under sides of the thighs, and the coccyx should be absolutely free from pressure.

1 The problem posed, therefore, is how to overcome the disadvantages of a cushion either soft or hardall over. The present invention solves that problem by providing comparatively hard segments on which the ischial tuberosites of thepelvis and the contiguous thigh portions rest, with a very soft segment under the coccyx so that no pressure can be transmitted to the so-called tail bone, at the same time arranging and graduating the density of the hardsegments so there will not be a noticeable dividing line between the hard and the soft segments to cause even the slightest discomfort to any ortion of the body.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved cushion of the character described, which-:isadapted to be placed upon any type-of living room chair to make it more comfortable for sitting than any expensive contour chair particularly built to provide a special degree of relaxation.

One of the objects of my invention, therefore, is to provide a novel and highly improved cushion of the character described, which shall be constructed and arranged to assuremaximum relaxation.

Another object of my inventionis to provide a novel and highly improved cushion of the character described, which shall be provided in the form of a single unit with the necessary combination of resilience in certain segments and parts of segments, with graduated resilience between certain segments to provide the greatest possible comfort.

A definite object of my invention is to provide a cushion which shall represent a substantial improvement in the art, that is, a cushion construction which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable, easily and quickly assembled, and highly eflicient for the purpose for which it is intended.

It is also an objectof the invention to provide a cushion construction in which lumping and undesirable features resulting therefrom will be avoided.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cushion assembly which will retain its shape indefinitely and be possessed of a comparatively Another object of the invention is the provision, of a cushion comprising a plurality of segments which will be so constructed and arranged as to provide a maximum amount of movement while at the same time retaining their operative relation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of flexible segments having interlocking means integral therewith, which aid in resisting the im-' pact of the weight of the body of a person sittingdown thereon, also blending the resiliency of contiguous segments, and providing means fordetachably connecting the segments in end to end relation with respect to each other to assemble the segments as a unitary structure, or to change} the position of one segment with respect to an- 3 other so as to distribute the weight imposed on different portions of the cushion.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference be ing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view showing the segments of the cushion connected in assembled relation.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view of one of the segments on either side of and back of the center of said cushion, adapted'to support the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the segment shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of two segments as shown in Figure 3, cemented.

together to double the thickness of the cushion.

Referring now to the drawings in detail,.whereinfor the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter C designates generally the cushion which is composed of a plurality of segments, preferably including a border segment 5, comprising a front portion 5, a back portion 7, and side portions 5 and 9, two hollow segments it and El, surrounding two rectangular segments i2 and i3, thigh supporting segments M, it, it and ll, and a plurality of relatively small rectangular segments i8, filling in the space between segments I l, it, it and H. These segments vary in size and shape, but segments of the same size and shape of greater or lesser density may be substituted one for the other.

A cushion embodying the invention i preferably made of segments of sponge rubber, or of foamed or frothed rubber latex, which is commonly prepared either by whipping a compounded latex containing a foaming agent into a foam or stirring the compounded latex into a separately prepared foam, the mixture or compound then.

being molded and vulcanized in the desired shape. In the drawing the cushion is shown as of the conventional cushion shape and is composed of either a single combination of segments, as shown in Figure l, or of two identical mating half sections, as shown in Figure 5. The various segments are made of foamed latex of varying densities, but all have an infinite number of tiny intercommunicating cell which permit air circulation throughout the mass for ventilation, also to contribute to the hysteresis properties of the cushion. The two half sections are preferably cemented together along two flat abutted walls, and in the embodiment shown, the plane of cementation is the vertical medial longitudinal plane of the cushion.

Each half section is molded with corresponding cored out cylindrical cavities 22, 2t and 2e, arranged in parallel rows with relatively thin walls 2!, 23 and 25, intermediate the cylindrical cavities. These cored out cavities 22, 2d and 25, are of varying length, depending on their positions and the contour of the outer. walls of the cushion.

As shown in Figure 5, the cavities 22, 2d and 25, of each half section are alined or registered with the corresponding core cavities of the other half section when the fiat faces of the two half sections are cemented together, thus providing the assembled cushionwith a multiplicity of cylindrical openings extending around the cushion, and affording an internal cushion structure of interconnected web-like walls of foam latex.

To obviate air trapping which would retard free compression and expansion and might also impart undesirable springiness, the cushion of my invention is constructed so as to insure free flow of air to and from each of the cavities 22, 2s and 26, as the cushion expands and contracts. As shown, channels 2?, extend diagonally of the cushion, each of said channels being open at both ends at the vents 28. Though not shown in Figure 5, channels 27, are each made up of two mating or registering grooves molded in the I abutted faces of the half sections like the cavities 22, 2s and 26. Each channel rovides an air passageway of substantial capacity communicating with all cavities 22, 2 and 26, the arrangement being such that each cavity 22, 2d and 26, is intersected at each corner by at least one channel El, as will be observed in Figure 3. As. each channel 2'7, is open at both ends, it follows. that compression at the center of the cushion Williforce' air out at all corners of the cushion, but if a heavy load should compress one corner to such an extent as to close and seal one or more channels 27, at that corner, the other end of the sealed channel or channels it, will remain open to exhaust any air under pressure within the cushion. It will also be clear that. as the foam rubber of. the cushion body is of intercommunicating open cell texture, compression and expansion of: the cushion causes movements of ventilating currentsv not only through cavities 22, 24 and 2G, and channels 27!, but also through the webs and other walls. of the foam rubber itself.

In use, the. cushion of this invention may be. placed on the cushion of any seating device. An individual who then seats himself on the cushion is afforded proper support by virtue of the density and arrangement of the segments. The: ischial tuberosites of the pelvis will be disposed directly above the segments 12 and I3, and the. under side of the thighs will normally extend above segments Eli, i5, i6 and H, and the front portion 6. The weight of the body above the pelvis is transmitted by way of the ischial tuberosites to segments l2 and !3. Because segm-ents It and I l are made of foam. rubber of very low density, the coccyx is. free and not subjected to pressure. As a result, the various organs within the body arev maintained in proper position, and fatigue is minimized, and because segments. [2 and it, contain graduated channels 22, 24 and 26, so that resiliency is graduated, there is no line of demarcation between contiguous segments to cause discomfort.

A cushion constructed in accordance with this invention may be used in various locales. It may be advantageously used with conventional items of seating equipment, such as automobile seats. easy chairs, overstuifed furniture, and the like, and when. so used, give the occupant anatomical support superior to that obtainable by the use of a well-constructed posture chair.

The segments i2 and iii, are arranged to support the pelvis of an occupant in a manner that the spinal column is brought in proper position for attaining correct posture. Most of the weight of body organs associated with the spine is transferred from the spine to the pelvis. The segments prevent sagging or tilting of the pelvis and assures proper relationship between the pelvis and the spinal column.

It isthus seen from the above description that I have provided a body supporting member in ciple and operation of my invention, together,

with drawings which I now consider to represent the best embodiments thereof, but I desiretohave it. understood that the apparatus shownis only illustrative and that the invention can be carriedout by other. means. ,Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted Without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention, as herein described, and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a cushion of the character described, a plurality of deformable segments of varying shapes and varying resiliency, two of said segments being spaced apart on either side of and back of the center of said cushion, said two segments being spaced parallel to each other and being adapted to support the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon, each of said two segments being surrounded by another segment of less density, and means for joining each of segments to the contiguous se ments, said means comprising projections and recesses to interlock adjacent segments together.

2. In a cushion of the character described, a plurality of resilient deformable segments, two of said segments being spaced apart on either side of and back of the center of said cushion, said two segments being spaced parallel to each other and adapted to support the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon, and two other segments contiguous to said first mentioned two segments, spaced apart on either side of and forward of the center of said cushion, said latter two segments being spaced parallel to each other and adapted to support the thighs of the person sitting on said cushion, said latter two segments being of less density than said first mentioned two segments, and means for joining each of said segments to the contiguous segments, said means comprising projections and recesses to interlock adjacent segments together.

3. In a cushion of the character described, a plurality of resilient deformable segments, two of said segments being squares spaced apart on either side of and back of the center of said 6. cushion, said two segmentsbeing adapted to support the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon, each of said square segments being flat on its upper face, the lower face thereof having channels parallel with each of the four sides of said-square segments, said channels forming a series of squares, one within the other, said channels being graduated in diameterfrom the smallest in the centerto the largest at the outer borders of said square segments, and means for joining each of said segments to the contiguous segments, said means comprising projections and recesses to interlock adjacent segments together. I

4. In a cushion of the character described, a, plurality of deformable segments, two of said,

segments being spaced apart on either side of and back of the center of said cushion, said two segments being adapted tosupport the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon, and means for joining said two seg-- ments to the contiguoussegments, said means comprising projections and recesses to interlock adjacent segments together, said projections and recesses being of the same size and shape and so arranged that the projections on one segment are adapted to extend through the recesses of an adjacent segment to form a dovetail joint.

5. In a cushion of the character described, a plurality of deformable segments, two of said segments being spaced apart on either side of and back of the center of said cushion, said two segments being adapted to support the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon, each of said two segments being surrounded by another segment, said surrounding segments being relatively of less density and greater resilience than the segments supporting the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis, whereby pressure on the coccyx is prevented, and two or more segments spaced apart on either side of and forward of the center of said cushion, adapted to support the thighs of the person sitting thereon, and means for joining each of said segments to the contiguous segments, said means comprising projections and recesses to interlock adjacent segments together.

6. In a cushion of the character described, a plurality of resilient deformable segments, two of said segments being rectangular and spaced apart on either side of and back of the center of said cushion, each of said rectangular segments being flat on one face, the other face thereof having channels parallel with each of the four sides of said rectangular segments, said channels forming a series of right angles within each other, said channels being graduated in size from the smallest in the center to the largest at the outer borders of said rectangular segments, each of said rectangular segments forming half of a segment twice as thick, said half segments being adapted to be cemented together along'a plane which is the medial vertical longitudinal plane of said segment, each of said channels formed in each half section, combining to form complemental alined channels, said double rectangular segments being adapted to support the ischial tuberosites of the pelvis of the person sitting thereon, and two other segments contiguous to said first mentioned two segments, spaced apart on either side of and forward of the center of said cushion, said latter two segments being adapted to support the thighs of the person sitting on said cushion, all segments of the same size and shape being interchangeableesothat:anysegmentmayybezeas ily' remoyediand replaced With-another; segment of :greatermor lessendensity, and igrea zter-sorxlesser resiliency; and: means for joining; each-1 of said segments.- to;v the contiguous; segments,- means; comprising-a projections "and recesses: to interlock;edjacent zsegmentsz together;

7. "In: a: cushion of the character described; a:

plurality? of,- resilient deformable 1. segments; two-v ofz'said-z segments '=being..zspaced-: apart on either. side;v of and: back of :'the -.centerwof :saidzeushiom andstWozother; segments -spacediapart on either. sidesofirancl: forward. ofcthescenteryof sai-drcushr ion, said latter two segmentsise adapted itOLTSup port: thee thighs; of thee.- persona=sitting-.1-, on: said cushion, said ilatter'rtwo :segments ;being.s;;of less density than'said first "mentionedqtwo: segments."

8; Ima .cushion :0f :the character described;. a:

plurality,- of deformable segments; two-: of 1 said said;

comprising: projections andirecesses to interlock adjacent: segments together;

OSCAR-A"; BERMANi References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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