WO1990014986A1

WO1990014986A1 - A gradient-compensating cushion

Info

Publication number: WO1990014986A1
Application number: PCT/SE1990/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Sandberg
Original assignee: Peter Sandberg
Priority date: 1989-05-31
Filing date: 1990-05-22
Publication date: 1990-12-13
Also published as: AU5814290A; SE8901971D0; SE462479B

Abstract

The invention concerns a gradient-compensating cushion (1) particularly for use on sail boats, consisting of a yielding, water repellent material with closed cells, preferably foam polyethylene cellular plastic, while the cushion (1) is formed with a rear edge (4) designed to bear on a gunwale-moulding or similar; the thickness of the cushion at this edge is substantially identical to the height of the gunwale-moulding of customary type with holes; the cushion has also, connected to this edge, at least one longitudinally adjustable, string-like, preferably elastic fastening element (6), designed to fasten the cushion to the gunwale-moulding or the user's belt; and the upper surface of the cushion slopes at 5-15° upwards from the said edge, but preferably at 8-10°.

Description

A GRADIENT-COMPENSATING CUSHION

This invention relates to a gradient-compensating cushion, particularly for use in yachts.

When sailing in strong winds and particularly in the case of ocean sailing, problems are encountered with the gradient of the boat and with the damp and cold from the deck of the boat where the sailor sits to sail the vessel. The gradient means that one cannot get a good sitting surface without sitting in very instable fashion without a support for the thighs. The wet and the cold means that one can easily cause oneself discomfort in the lower abdomen.

The present invention has the object of reducing the above- mentioned disadvantages associated with sailing.

The main object of the invention is to manufacture a cushion which has a gradient-compensating form; another object of the invention is to manufacture a water-proof and light cushion. Further, another object of the invention is to manufacture a cushion which easily can be fastened to the gunwale and which is adapted to compensate for the height of the gunwale- moulding and in this manner avoid sores and similar for sailors. Further another object of the invention is to manufacture a cushion which can easily be adapted to the sailor and which easily can be removed from the gunwale- moulding or the belt of the sailor and be used in land, for example on excursions, and when fastened to the gunwale also be able to be used as a fender.

These and other objectives are achieved by the invention by virtue of the fact that the cushion has a gradient-compensating form and is made of a yielding material with closed cells, preferably polyethylene cellular plastic with closed cells with a density of 50 kg/m^ (Alveolux X E 2000).

The cushion is formed with a rear edge designed to bear on a gunwale-moulding with the thickness of the cushion at this side essentially corresponding to the height of the gunwale-moulding with holes, of the kind now customary. Adjacent to this side the cushion has at least one longitudi¬ nally adjustable, preferably elastic fastening element which is designed to fasten the cushion to the gunwale-moulding or the belt of the user. The upper surface of the cushion slopes at 5-15° upwards from this edge, preferably 8- 10°. The cushion can have one or several, preferably four, fastening elements, preferably arranged with two on the side with the smallest thickness and two on the opposite side, with the greatest thickness. The underside of the cushion, the side which is in contact with the deck of the boat during use, is made with a surface which has a high level of friction, in order to increase and maintain contact with the deck.

The vertical edge in the thickest part of the cushion has a concave shape as seen from the side.

Furthermore, the cushion has in its thinnest part a handle for greater ease of handling when it is not fastened to the gunwale or to the belt of the sailor.

Fig. 1 shows the cushion in perspective.

Fig. 2 shows the cushion viewed from above.

It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the gradient-compensating cushion consists of a rectangular cushion 1 which has an upper surface which slopes at 5 to 15°, preferably 8 to 10° from the edge h in the thin part of the cushion to the edge 2 in the thick part. The edge 2 has a concave shape in order to be slightly softer at the front edge, and hence more comfortable for the user, and also acts as a water repellent when the edge (the cushion) is struck by waves. In each corner of the cushion there is a hole through the material 8 intended for the string-like fastening elements 6. These fastening elements 6 consist of elastic cords with, at one end, buckles 7 for fastening the cushion on the gunwale-moulding on the boat or around the sailor's belt and/or legs when the cushion is worn by the sailor.

Further more, the cushion 1 has a handle 5 which is punched out of the cushion so that it will be easier to carry for going ashore, etc. The underside of the cushion is buffed in order to increase the friction when the cushion is placed on the deck.

The cushion is made of foam polyethylene plastic with 100% closed cell system which makes it light, buoyant, water repellent and insulating, and load supporting.

The shape of the cushion can be of various types, such as rectangular, square, round, elliptical, or similar.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated in the attached drawings, and thus can be modified within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1. Gradient-compensating cushion particularly for use on sailing- boats, characterized by the cushion being made of a yielding material with closed cells, pre erably polyethylene cellular plastic, that the rear edge (Ψ) of the cushion which is designed to bear on a gunwale-moulding or similar, wherein the thickness of the cushion at this edge is substantially identical to the height of the gunwale-moulding of the customary type with holes, whereby the cushion also having, connected to this edge, at least one longitudinally adjustable, string-like, fastening element, preferably an elastic fastening element designed to fasten the cushion to the gunwale-moulding or the belt of the user, with the upper surface of the cushion sloping at 5-15° upwards from the said edge, but preferably at 8-1 Oo.

2. A cushion according to claim 1, wherein the face of the cushion which is designed to lie against the deck of the boat when in use, is made with a surface which has a high coefficient of friction to co-operate and fix the cushion where appropriate with the said fastening elements.

3. A cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cushion has, on the front edge opposite the said rear edge, at least one longitudinally adjustable, string-like, preferably elastic fastening element.