US3730588A - Seat, couch or bed, provided with at least one vacuum cushion - Google Patents

Seat, couch or bed, provided with at least one vacuum cushion Download PDF

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Publication number
US3730588A
US3730588A US00155535A US3730588DA US3730588A US 3730588 A US3730588 A US 3730588A US 00155535 A US00155535 A US 00155535A US 3730588D A US3730588D A US 3730588DA US 3730588 A US3730588 A US 3730588A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
layer means
seat
couch
bed
envelope
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00155535A
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English (en)
Inventor
F Braun
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.)
BELGE EXPLOIT NAVIGATION SA
SOC ANONYME BELGE D EXPLOITATION de la NAVIGATION AERIENNE BE
Original Assignee
BELGE EXPLOIT NAVIGATION SA
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 BELGE EXPLOIT NAVIGATION SA filed Critical BELGE EXPLOIT NAVIGATION SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3730588A publication Critical patent/US3730588A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C4/00—Foldable, collapsible or dismountable chairs
    • A47C4/54—Inflatable chairs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/088—Fluid mattresses or cushions incorporating elastic bodies, e.g. foam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
    • A47C27/18—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays in combination with inflatable bodies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S5/00—Beds
    • Y10S5/911—Bead containing
    • Y10S5/913—Bead containing with suction means

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT This invention relates to a seat, couch or bed, provided with at least one vacuum cushion comprising an air-tight flexible envelope containing a coherent porous mass or resiliently compressible intercommunicating open cellular material, having an inherent rigidity capable of substantially supporting the weight of an occupant without collapsing a vacuum source, pipes for connecting the interior of this envelope with said vacuum source and with an ambient environment, at least one valve for selectively opening or for shutting off these communications with the envelope, in order to control the thickness of the cushion independently of the occupants weight, and for the purpose of directing the compression of the porous mass in the direction of its thickness and facilitating the evacuation of the air contained in the cells of the porous mass when the envelope is in communication with
  • SHEET 1 (IF 2 SEAT, COUCH OR BEID, PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE VACUUM CUSHION DESCRIPTION ble of substantially supporting the weight of an occul0 pant without collapsing, a vacuum source, pipes for connecting the interior of this envelope with said vacuum source and with an ambient environment, at least one valve for selectively opening or for shutting off these communications with the envelop, in order to control the thickness of the cushion independently of the occupants weight.
  • the object of the invention is to improve the cushion of the type mentioned above, making it possible to direct the compression of the porous mass essentially in the direction of its thickness and likewise enabling the evacuation of the air contained in its cells farthest from the air pipe when the envelope is in communication with the vacuum source.
  • This additional layer also prevents the porous mass from being sucked into the pipe connected to the valve.
  • the additional layer extends over part of that face of the cellular porous material opposite the face on which the load is to be applied, so that the cells situated in the porous mass, facing this additional layer, are more exhausted of air and compressed by the sucking action from the vacuum source than the cells of the other parts of the porous mass. Consequently there is formed in the cushion a local impression substantially limited by the surface of the additional layer.
  • the additional air-permeable layer is constituted by a mesh
  • the mass of porous material is provided with flat flexible reinforcements forming frames, which are inserted into its thickness in the vicinity of its periphery, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the thickness of the cushion.
  • the cushion when under suction, can be compressed only in the direction of its thickness.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view on a reduced scale of a seat according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a vertical section through the cushion forming the back;
  • FIG. 3 is a rear view of the back
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of a section through the cushion used as a seat.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a seat 1 whose rigid frame 2 is hollow and airtight so as to form a reservoir in which a vacuum can be created, for example by means of a vacuum pump 29 in such a way that this reservoir can constitute a vacuum source.
  • This structure has two cushions 3, one of which serves as the back 4 and the other as the seat 5.
  • Each cushion 3 comprises a flexible airtight envelope 6 containing resiliently compressible porous cellular material 7, but of a rigidity sufficient to withstand the compression resulting from the occupants weight alone.
  • the interior of the envelope is put into communication with the vacuum source, the cells of this porous mass collapse due to their being more or less exhausted of air.
  • the cellular porous material consists of polyether or polyurethane foam.
  • This porous material is provided in the form of a coherent mass cut or moulded to a curved shape advantageous for the comfort of the user of the seat.
  • this cushion only extends as a seat at the front part of the seat but it could naturally extend over the entire surface of the seat. It could 1 likewise constitute a mattress to equip a bed.
  • Each cushion 3 comprises means such as a three-way valve 8 for temporily connecting the interior of the envelope on the one hand' with the ambient atmosphere through the pipes 9 and- 10, and on the other hand with the suction source constituted by the reservoir 2 through the pipes 9 and 11.
  • the air-tight reservoir formed by the hollow frame 2 of the seat is connected to the vacuum pump 29 by a pipe 13 in which there is inserted a nonreturn valve 30 which opens in the direction of the arrow.
  • valve 8 By means of the valve 8 it is possible to control the pressure inside the envelope and to thus modify the degree of compression of the porous cellular material so as to adapt it to the anatomy of the occupant of the seat, irrespective of his weight. More particularly where the cushion is used as a seat, it is possible therefore to adjust its height to the size of the occupant. When the pressure inside the envelope is restored, the latter takes up its normal expanded form under the ac tion of the internal force of the porous mass which had been previously collapsed under suction.
  • This additional layer allows air to pass through it whatever stress is exerted on it by the porous mass under the effect of the exterior load and/or suction.
  • This layer is advantageously provided in the form of meshes extending three-dimensionally.
  • the additional layer is cut out substantially in the shape of an X, i.e. substantially in the shape of two superposed trapezia touching one another at their short base.
  • the meshed additional layer extends over all the face 18 of the coherent mass of porous material opposite the face 19 on which the load is applied.
  • the addidional layer of coherent,- meshed material is formed by a reticulated foam of polyurethane.
  • This additional layer could likewise be formed by an agglomeration of textile filaments, of rubber or of metal having points where they adhere to one another or join one another.
  • the reticulated foam has however the advantage over the other materials of being light, of being able to be easily compressed resiliently, of being able to be cut accordingly to the shape desired and of being able to be moulded with the porous mass.
  • the cushion face opposite that on which the weight is applied is reinforced by a rigid plate 20 which has edges 21 forming a retainer for the additional layer, while the coherent mass of porous material is strengthened with flat flexible reinforcements forming frames and which are inserted in marginal slots 23 provided in the thickness of this mass, in the vicinity of its periphery in a plane substantially perpendicular to the thickness of the cushion. Since these reinforcements are accommodated in marginal slots in the thickness of the porous mass they are imperceptible to the user of the seat. These means likewise ensure, during squeezing of the porous mass under the effect of suction that the cushion can only be compressed in thickness.
  • the reinforcements are incorporated in the porous coherent mass during the moulding of this mass.
  • the rigid plate 20 constitutes one face of the air-tight envelope 6 opposite that to which the weight is applied.
  • the envelope 6 is provided with flanged edges 24-25 which are fixed by welding or adhesive to the corresponding edges of the rigid plate 20 which likewise has raised edges 21 directed towards the interior of the cushion forming supplementary surfaces of adhesion for the envelope and forming a retainer for the additional layer.
  • the coherent porous mass and the additional layer mentioned above have externally a fluidtight surface constituting said air-tight envelope.
  • the fluidtightness is obtained in this case for example, either during the moulding of the coherent mass and of the additional layer, or by the application of a layer of fluidtight lining material such as liquid latex applied by dipping or spraying.
  • a layer of flexible polyurethane foam 27 formed as a reticulated network.
  • this layer of reticulated foam extends on one hand over the entire extent of the back, and on the other hand over the whole seating surface, one part of which is formed by one of the vacuum cushions and the other part by a conventional cushion.
  • a safety valve 28 which opens in the direction of the arrow to the ambient atmosphere when the pressure of same is lower than the internal pressure of the cushion, is provided in the pipe circuit 9.
  • a seat, couch or bed provided with at least one vacuum cushion comprising an airtight flexible envelope; a porous layer means within said envelope, said porous layer means comprising a coherent porous mass or resiliently compressible intercommunicating open cellular material, having an inherent rigidity capable of substantially supporting the weight of an occupant without collapsing; a vacuum source; pipes for connecting the interior of said envelope with said vacuum source and with an ambient environment; at least one valve for selectively opening and closing communications with said envelope, to control the thickness of the cushion independently of the weight of the occupant; and additional air-permeable layer means for directing the compression of the porous layer means in the direction of its thickness and facilitating the evacuation of the air contained in the cells of the porous layer means when the envelope is in communication with the vacuum'source, wherein said additional layer means is positioned between the porous layer means and the pipe of the valve communicating with the vacuum source, said pipe discharging into said additional layer means, and wherein said additional layer means is within the envelope on the face of the porous layer means opposite the
  • a seat, couch or bed as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rigid reinforcing plate comprises the face of the airtight envelope opposite that on which the weight is applied.

Landscapes

  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
US00155535A 1970-06-23 1971-06-22 Seat, couch or bed, provided with at least one vacuum cushion Expired - Lifetime US3730588A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE90719 1970-06-23
BE766504A BE766504A (fr) 1970-06-23 1971-04-29 Siege, divan ou lit equipe d'au moins un coussin a depression.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3730588A true US3730588A (en) 1973-05-01

Family

ID=43827095

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00155535A Expired - Lifetime US3730588A (en) 1970-06-23 1971-06-22 Seat, couch or bed, provided with at least one vacuum cushion

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3730588A (ja)
JP (1) JPS5137591B1 (ja)
BE (2) BE766504A (ja)
CA (1) CA936288A (ja)
DE (1) DE2130958C3 (ja)
ES (1) ES197706Y (ja)
FR (1) FR2096133A5 (ja)
GB (1) GB1291664A (ja)
SE (1) SE371363B (ja)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3895841A (en) * 1974-09-03 1975-07-22 Herbert A Lebert Vacuum actuated vehicle safety device
US3922030A (en) * 1974-06-24 1975-11-25 Caterpillar Tractor Co Protective seat
US4629248A (en) * 1985-06-03 1986-12-16 General Motors Corporation Thigh support for vehicle seats
FR2641493A1 (fr) * 1989-01-10 1990-07-13 Bloch Gerard Element de soutien a rigidite asservie
US5029939A (en) * 1989-10-05 1991-07-09 General Motors Corporation Alternating pressure pad car seat
US5176424A (en) * 1988-06-10 1993-01-05 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile seat assembly
US5259080A (en) * 1990-12-12 1993-11-09 Lumex, Inc. Damped air displacement support system
US6092249A (en) * 1996-05-28 2000-07-25 Deka Products Limited Partnership Constant pressure seating system
US6367106B1 (en) 1998-02-20 2002-04-09 Sand Therapeutic, Inc. Therapeutic support for the reduction of decubitus ulcers
WO2003045730A1 (de) * 2001-11-17 2003-06-05 Thomas Hausmann Kindersitz, insbesondere für ein kraftfahrzeug oder ein luftfahrzeug
EP1332697A2 (en) 2002-02-01 2003-08-06 The OR Group, Inc. Reversed air mattress
US20050084667A1 (en) * 1994-06-03 2005-04-21 Tempur World, Inc. Laminated visco-elastic support
US20070120411A1 (en) * 2005-11-22 2007-05-31 Herbert Schwarz Motorcycle seat
US9527417B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2016-12-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Air-suspended seat surfaces for folding vehicle seats
US9550439B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2017-01-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Air-suspended seat surfaces for folding vehicle seats
US9937836B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2018-04-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seatback with collapsible internal support unit
US9937826B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-04-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Bladder system for vehicle seating assembly
US9981588B2 (en) 2015-10-21 2018-05-29 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle seat with sealed inflation system
US9980578B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2018-05-29 Tempur-Pedic Management, Llc Body support cushion having multiple layers of phase change material
US10106061B2 (en) 2015-08-13 2018-10-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Air-suspended seat surfaces with flow control valves
US10391912B2 (en) 2016-09-01 2019-08-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Lay in place capillary control system for air suspended seating
US11021090B2 (en) * 2019-09-27 2021-06-01 Lear Corporation Seat assembly with leg support

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS54130783U (ja) * 1978-03-04 1979-09-11
JPS54171279U (ja) * 1978-05-24 1979-12-04
DE3629866A1 (de) * 1986-09-02 1988-03-10 Filmtechnische Geraete Oskar H Stativkopf
JPS63279738A (ja) * 1987-05-09 1988-11-16 Ono Kinzoku Kogyosho:Kk 集魚装置
DE8715796U1 (de) * 1987-11-28 1989-03-30 stn-Vertrieb-GmbH, 8500 Nürnberg Polster o. dgl.
GB8730151D0 (en) * 1987-12-24 1988-02-03 Mazor Ltd Cushion
DE102019002895A1 (de) 2019-04-18 2019-10-17 Daimler Ag Polster mit mindestens einer Folienblase zum Aufliegen und/oder Anlegen eines Objekts, Verfahren zum Anpassen einer Kontur eines solchen Polsters mit mindestens einer Folienblase an eine Form eines Objekts, sowie Fahrzeug mit mindestens einem solchen Polster

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3556595A (en) * 1968-01-30 1971-01-19 Gunter Friedrich Bartel Seat construction and the like
US3608961A (en) * 1969-09-04 1971-09-28 Robert Von Heck Variable contour cushion
US3642323A (en) * 1969-07-02 1972-02-15 William Paul Taylor Molded plastic furniture construction

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3556595A (en) * 1968-01-30 1971-01-19 Gunter Friedrich Bartel Seat construction and the like
US3642323A (en) * 1969-07-02 1972-02-15 William Paul Taylor Molded plastic furniture construction
US3608961A (en) * 1969-09-04 1971-09-28 Robert Von Heck Variable contour cushion

Cited By (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3922030A (en) * 1974-06-24 1975-11-25 Caterpillar Tractor Co Protective seat
US3895841A (en) * 1974-09-03 1975-07-22 Herbert A Lebert Vacuum actuated vehicle safety device
US4629248A (en) * 1985-06-03 1986-12-16 General Motors Corporation Thigh support for vehicle seats
US5176424A (en) * 1988-06-10 1993-01-05 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile seat assembly
FR2641493A1 (fr) * 1989-01-10 1990-07-13 Bloch Gerard Element de soutien a rigidite asservie
WO1990007890A1 (fr) * 1989-01-10 1990-07-26 Cesa - Compagnie Europeenne De Sieges Pour Automobiles Element de soutien a rigidite asservie
US5159726A (en) * 1989-01-10 1992-11-03 Cesa - Compagnie Europeenne De Sieges Pour Automobiles Controlled-rigidity supporting element
US5029939A (en) * 1989-10-05 1991-07-09 General Motors Corporation Alternating pressure pad car seat
US5259080A (en) * 1990-12-12 1993-11-09 Lumex, Inc. Damped air displacement support system
US20050084667A1 (en) * 1994-06-03 2005-04-21 Tempur World, Inc. Laminated visco-elastic support
US8025964B2 (en) * 1994-06-03 2011-09-27 Tempur World, Llc Laminated visco-elastic support
US8034445B2 (en) 1994-06-03 2011-10-11 Tempur-Pedic Management, Inc. Laminated visco-elastic support
US20090172887A1 (en) * 1994-06-03 2009-07-09 Dag Landvik Laminated visco-elastic support
US20090293199A1 (en) * 1994-06-03 2009-12-03 Dag Landvik Laminated visco-elastic support
US6092249A (en) * 1996-05-28 2000-07-25 Deka Products Limited Partnership Constant pressure seating system
US6367106B1 (en) 1998-02-20 2002-04-09 Sand Therapeutic, Inc. Therapeutic support for the reduction of decubitus ulcers
WO2003045730A1 (de) * 2001-11-17 2003-06-05 Thomas Hausmann Kindersitz, insbesondere für ein kraftfahrzeug oder ein luftfahrzeug
EP1332697A2 (en) 2002-02-01 2003-08-06 The OR Group, Inc. Reversed air mattress
US20040003471A1 (en) * 2002-02-01 2004-01-08 Vansteenburg Kip Reversed air mattress
US6868569B2 (en) 2002-02-01 2005-03-22 The Or Group, Inc. Reversed air mattress
US20070120411A1 (en) * 2005-11-22 2007-05-31 Herbert Schwarz Motorcycle seat
US7360831B2 (en) * 2005-11-22 2008-04-22 Herbert Schwarz Motorcycle seat
US9980578B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2018-05-29 Tempur-Pedic Management, Llc Body support cushion having multiple layers of phase change material
US10765228B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2020-09-08 Tempur World, Llc Body support cushion having multiple layers of phase change material
US9527417B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2016-12-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Air-suspended seat surfaces for folding vehicle seats
US9550439B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2017-01-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Air-suspended seat surfaces for folding vehicle seats
US9937836B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2018-04-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seatback with collapsible internal support unit
US10160358B2 (en) 2015-02-17 2018-12-25 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seatback with collapsible internal support unit
US10106061B2 (en) 2015-08-13 2018-10-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Air-suspended seat surfaces with flow control valves
US9937826B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-04-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Bladder system for vehicle seating assembly
US9981588B2 (en) 2015-10-21 2018-05-29 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle seat with sealed inflation system
US10391912B2 (en) 2016-09-01 2019-08-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Lay in place capillary control system for air suspended seating
US11021090B2 (en) * 2019-09-27 2021-06-01 Lear Corporation Seat assembly with leg support

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2130958B2 (de) 1974-10-17
BE766504A (fr) 1971-10-29
ES197706Y (es) 1975-11-01
SE371363B (ja) 1974-11-18
DE2130958A1 (de) 1971-12-30
JPS5137591B1 (ja) 1976-10-16
CA936288A (en) 1973-10-30
DE2130958C3 (de) 1975-06-05
FR2096133A5 (ja) 1972-02-11
GB1291664A (en) 1972-10-04
ES197706U (es) 1975-05-16
BE752385A (ja)

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