WO2005032922A1 - Viscoelastic support structure with improved energy absorption properties - Google Patents

Viscoelastic support structure with improved energy absorption properties Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005032922A1
WO2005032922A1 PCT/IB2004/003224 IB2004003224W WO2005032922A1 WO 2005032922 A1 WO2005032922 A1 WO 2005032922A1 IB 2004003224 W IB2004003224 W IB 2004003224W WO 2005032922 A1 WO2005032922 A1 WO 2005032922A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
insert
frame
covering
protuberances
recesses
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2004/003224
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Riccardo Bigolin
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
Priority to DE602004004913T priority Critical patent/DE602004004913T2/en
Priority to US10/574,520 priority patent/US7572498B2/en
Priority to EP04769546A priority patent/EP1667896B1/en
Publication of WO2005032922A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005032922A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B62J1/18—Covers for saddles or other seats; Paddings
    • B62J1/26—Paddings involving other resilient material, e.g. sponge rubber with inflatable compartments
    • 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
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/23—Sheet including cover or casing
    • Y10T428/233—Foamed or expanded material encased
    • 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
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/23—Sheet including cover or casing
    • Y10T428/239—Complete cover or casing
    • 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
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • 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
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24496—Foamed or cellular component
    • 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
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/2457—Parallel ribs and/or grooves
    • 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
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24612—Composite web or sheet

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally applicable to the field of human body supports and particularly relates to a viscoelastic support structure as described in the preamble of claim 1.
  • the support structure according to the invention may be advantageously used as a component for the construction of vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, but for pieces of furniture as well, such as seats for chairs, stools and the like.
  • a number of saddles for bicycles or similar vehicles are known, which have at least one portion made of gel. This latter material has high damping properties, which are particularly useful to attenuate the stresses transmitted by the vehicle to the user.
  • certain embodiments like the one described in US-A-5, 330, 249, have an essentially rigid and continuous support structure, a gel filler portion being placed thereon.
  • Such portion has a stress-strain curve with a hysteresis loop whereby the gel portion dissipates energy and provides comfort to the user.
  • the contact surface between the support structure and the gel is generally flat or has a relatively small curvature.
  • EP-A-0903321 and US-A-6450572 disclose respective embodiments in which a foam layer is interposed between the gel filler portion and the essentially rigid support structure.
  • US-A-6066277 and US-A-6290794 disclose two methods for making a saddle comprising an essentially rigid support and at least one soft portion made of gel or another appropriately soft and easily deformable compound.
  • the rigid support has one or more through openings adapted to allow the soft portion to partly come out due to the rider's weight.
  • This arrangement has the drawback that, when repeatedly using the saddle, the soft portion may easily collapse, whereby the comfort features of the saddle are lost. Particularly, the soft portion is not supported at the through openings of the support and may progressively collapse under the user's weight. This reduces the extension of the stress responsive areas of the saddle, acted upon by the rider's weight, and causes an increase of the average pressure to be withstood by the user .
  • Certain embodiments of bicycle saddles have one or more through holes or openings which may have the aesthetic purpose of permitting the passage of light through the saddle and/or an aeration purpose.
  • a first drawback of these arrangements consists in a reduced contact area between the saddle and the user, which generates relatively high reaction pressures.
  • a second drawback of this arrangement consists in that the wheels, and particularly the rear wheel, may collect dust and other dirt from the road and project it onto the rider's clothes through the openings.
  • US-A-5397162 discloses a bicycle saddle having a body made of a composite material, a soft upper covering and a flexible decorative layer interposed therebetween.
  • the upper covering is made of a transparent material to make the underlying decorative layer visible. While this arrangement uses a transparent portion, due to the optical properties of the body and the decorative layer, it does not allow to obtain the particular aesthetic effect of allowing to look through the saddle.
  • a primary object of this invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, while providing a cost-effective support structure .
  • a particular object is to provide a support structure which has high damping properties and is capable of considerably attenuating any stress transmitted to the user.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a support structure that is particularly convenient and comfortable.
  • Another particular object is to provide a structure which has a particular aesthetic quality, thanks to the possibility of looking through the structure.
  • a viscoelastic support structure having improved energy absorption properties comprising a rigid or semirigid frame, at least one layer made of a resilient filler, a flexible covering having a surface of contact with the user, at least one gel insert interposed between the covering and the frame to interact therewith when the user exerts a stress thereon, characterized by providing, on the insert and/or the frame and/or the covering, a plurality of protuberances and recesses with respect to a mid-surface adapted to facilitate the deformation of the insert, in a direction transverse to the stress direction and/or essential ly parallel to the mid- surface, to increase the energy that the insert is able to dissipate .
  • a support structure may be obtained that is capable to effectively damp the stresses transmitted to the user, while being particularly comfortable.
  • At least a portion of the flexible covering, the gel material and the basic frame material are essentially optically transparent, to allow the passage of light through the covering, the insert and the frame. Thanks to this particular characteristic, a structure with a particular aesthetic quality may be obtained.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a further detail of FIG. 1.
  • a viscoelastic support structure having improved energy absorption properties according to the invention is described, which is generally designated with numeral 1.
  • the structure 1 is designed to come in contact with a user and has a contact surface 2 on which the user will exert a stress P along an essentially transverse direction L.
  • the structure 1 has a rigid or semirigid frame 4 and at least one layer of a resilient filler 4, with at least one gel insert 5 located upon the frame 3.
  • An upper covering 6 is further provided which defines the contact surface 2 and is adapted to cover the filler layer 4 and the insert 5.
  • the insert 5 may have at least one surface 7 facing toward a top surface 8 of the frame 3 and at least one surface 7' facing toward a bottom surface ⁇ 1 of the covering 6 to interact therewith as the user exerts a stress P thereon.
  • an intermediate filler layer may be interposed between the insert 5 and the frame and/or the covering 6.
  • a peculiar feature of the invention is that the insert 5 and/or the frame 3 and/or the covering 6 have a plurality of protuberances 9 and recesses 10 with respect to a mid-surface M adapted to facilitate the deformation of the insert 5, in a direction transverse to the direction L of the stress P and/or essentially parallel to the mid-surface M.
  • the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 with respect to the mid-surface M may be formed on at least one of the surfaces 7, 7' of the insert 5, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 with respect to the mid-surface M may be provided either on the top surface 8 of the frame 3 or on the bottom surface 6' of the flexible covering 6, or on both, providing in either case an increased deformation of the insert 5. In fact, the latter faces toward both the top surface 8 of the frame 3 and the bottom surface 6' of the covering 6.
  • the stress P exerted along the direction L results in a deformation of the insert 5 which has at least one component parallel and one component transverse to the direction L.
  • the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 allow both deformation components to develop freely, and particularly enhance the transverse deformation component. In fact, no mutual sliding between the insert 5 and the frame 3 is required for the latter component to develop, and no friction or adhesion forces between the insert 5 and the frame 3 shall be defeated. If the stress P is essentially orthogonal to the mid-surface M, the transverse component of the deformation may be essentially parallel to the mid-surface M.
  • the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 allow a greater deformation of the insert 5 and, as a result, a higher energy dissipation.
  • the gel of the insert 5 may show hysteresis, and dissipate energy when it is under stress .
  • the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 may be of various types and have different designs. Particularly, as shown in the annexed figures, the protuberances 9 may have top surfaces 11 mainly extending along respective first lines, and the recesses 10 may have bottom surfaces 12 mainly extending along respective second lines.
  • the first and second main extension lines may be either curved or essentially straight and essentially parallel.
  • top surfaces 11 of the protuberances 9 and the bottom surfaces 12 of the recesses 10 may be connected together by inclined surfaces 13 having respective inclination angles A relative to the mid-surface M.
  • the inclination angles A may be of 5° to 85° and preferably of about 45°.
  • the resilient filler layer 4 may be interposed between the frame 3 and the flexible covering 6 and may include an enlarged rear portion 14 for supporting the buttocks of a user, a front horn portion 15 and a central portion 16.
  • a through cavity 17, which is designed to receive the insert 5, may be formed on the central portion 16 or on the enlarged rear portion 14. In this case, the through cavity (not shown) may be placed at the ischial bones of the user.
  • the insert 5 may extend from the top surface 8 of the frame 3 to the flexible covering 6.
  • the gel material may be essentially optically transparent, to permit the passage of light through it.
  • the flexible covering 6 may have at least one essentially optically transparent portion 18, placed upon the insert 5.
  • the transparent portion 18 of the flexible covering 6 may be integral with the remaining portion thereof, or form a separate portion connected to the remaining portion by appropriate connection means (not shown) .
  • the base material of the frame 3 may be polymeric and essentially optically transparent. Therefore, light may pass through the covering 6, the insert 5 and the frame 3, i.e. through the whole support structure 1.
  • the base material of the frame 3 may be a ligneous, metal or composite material.
  • the passage of light through the whole support structure 1 may be assured by forming at least one through hole in the frame 3.
  • This hole may be positioned at the insert 5, and may be covered with a polymeric, essentially optically transparent layer, to support the insert 5 and prevent the latter from being soiled with dust or dirt.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)

Abstract

A viscoelastic support structure having improved energy absorption properties, comprising a rigid or semirigid frame (3), at least one layer (4) made of a resilient filler, a flexible covering (6) having a surface of contact (2) with the user, at least one gel insert (5) interposed between the covering (6) and the frame (3) to interact therewith when the user exerts a stress thereon. On the insert (5) and/or the frame (3) and/or the covering (6), the structure (1) has a plurality of protuberances (9) and recesses (10) with respect to a mid-surface (M) adapted to facilitate the deformation of the insert (5), in a direction transverse to the stress direction (L) and/or essentially parallel to the mid-surface (M), to increase the energy that the insert (5) is able to dissipate.

Description

VISCOELASTIC SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH IMPROVED ENERGY ABSORPTION PROPERTIES
Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally applicable to the field of human body supports and particularly relates to a viscoelastic support structure as described in the preamble of claim 1.
The support structure according to the invention may be advantageously used as a component for the construction of vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, but for pieces of furniture as well, such as seats for chairs, stools and the like.
Background art
A number of saddles for bicycles or similar vehicles are known, which have at least one portion made of gel. This latter material has high damping properties, which are particularly useful to attenuate the stresses transmitted by the vehicle to the user.
Particularly, certain embodiments, like the one described in US-A-5, 330, 249, have an essentially rigid and continuous support structure, a gel filler portion being placed thereon. Such portion has a stress-strain curve with a hysteresis loop whereby the gel portion dissipates energy and provides comfort to the user. Further, the contact surface between the support structure and the gel is generally flat or has a relatively small curvature. An apparent drawback of these arrangements consists in that there are relatively few gel deformation possibilities and, as a result, little energy may be dissipated. In fact, the stresses generated in the gel by the user's weight turn into tangential forces at the contact surface. These tangential forces are opposed by friction or by the adhesion forces between the gel and the support, which dramatically limit gel deformation parallel to the contact surface.
EP-A-0903321 and US-A-6450572 disclose respective embodiments in which a foam layer is interposed between the gel filler portion and the essentially rigid support structure.
This arrangement does not obviate the apparent drawback of the previous embodiment. Here the deformation of the gel parallel to the surface in contact with the foam material is limited by the elastic forces within the latter.
US-A-6066277 and US-A-6290794 disclose two methods for making a saddle comprising an essentially rigid support and at least one soft portion made of gel or another appropriately soft and easily deformable compound. Particularly, the rigid support has one or more through openings adapted to allow the soft portion to partly come out due to the rider's weight.
This arrangement has the drawback that, when repeatedly using the saddle, the soft portion may easily collapse, whereby the comfort features of the saddle are lost. Particularly, the soft portion is not supported at the through openings of the support and may progressively collapse under the user's weight. This reduces the extension of the stress responsive areas of the saddle, acted upon by the rider's weight, and causes an increase of the average pressure to be withstood by the user .
Certain embodiments of bicycle saddles have one or more through holes or openings which may have the aesthetic purpose of permitting the passage of light through the saddle and/or an aeration purpose. A first drawback of these arrangements consists in a reduced contact area between the saddle and the user, which generates relatively high reaction pressures. A second drawback of this arrangement consists in that the wheels, and particularly the rear wheel, may collect dust and other dirt from the road and project it onto the rider's clothes through the openings.
US-A-5397162 discloses a bicycle saddle having a body made of a composite material, a soft upper covering and a flexible decorative layer interposed therebetween. The upper covering is made of a transparent material to make the underlying decorative layer visible. While this arrangement uses a transparent portion, due to the optical properties of the body and the decorative layer, it does not allow to obtain the particular aesthetic effect of allowing to look through the saddle.
Summary of the invention
A primary object of this invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, while providing a cost-effective support structure .
A particular object is to provide a support structure which has high damping properties and is capable of considerably attenuating any stress transmitted to the user. A further object of the invention is to provide a support structure that is particularly convenient and comfortable.
Another particular object is to provide a structure which has a particular aesthetic quality, thanks to the possibility of looking through the structure.
These objects, as well as other objects that will be more apparent hereafter, are achieved, according to claim 1, by providing a viscoelastic support structure having improved energy absorption properties, comprising a rigid or semirigid frame, at least one layer made of a resilient filler, a flexible covering having a surface of contact with the user, at least one gel insert interposed between the covering and the frame to interact therewith when the user exerts a stress thereon, characterized by providing, on the insert and/or the frame and/or the covering, a plurality of protuberances and recesses with respect to a mid-surface adapted to facilitate the deformation of the insert, in a direction transverse to the stress direction and/or essential ly parallel to the mid- surface, to increase the energy that the insert is able to dissipate .
Thanks to this particular arrangement, a support structure may be obtained that is capable to effectively damp the stresses transmitted to the user, while being particularly comfortable.
Preferably, at least a portion of the flexible covering, the gel material and the basic frame material are essentially optically transparent, to allow the passage of light through the covering, the insert and the frame. Thanks to this particular characteristic, a structure with a particular aesthetic quality may be obtained.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a few preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of a support structure according to the invention, which are described as non-limiting examples with the assistance of the annexed drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a further detail of FIG. 1.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment
Particularly referring to the above figures, a viscoelastic support structure having improved energy absorption properties according to the invention is described, which is generally designated with numeral 1.
The structure 1 is designed to come in contact with a user and has a contact surface 2 on which the user will exert a stress P along an essentially transverse direction L.
The structure 1 has a rigid or semirigid frame 4 and at least one layer of a resilient filler 4, with at least one gel insert 5 located upon the frame 3. An upper covering 6 is further provided which defines the contact surface 2 and is adapted to cover the filler layer 4 and the insert 5.
Particularly, the insert 5 may have at least one surface 7 facing toward a top surface 8 of the frame 3 and at least one surface 7' facing toward a bottom surface β1 of the covering 6 to interact therewith as the user exerts a stress P thereon. Possibly, an intermediate filler layer, not shown, may be interposed between the insert 5 and the frame and/or the covering 6.
A peculiar feature of the invention is that the insert 5 and/or the frame 3 and/or the covering 6 have a plurality of protuberances 9 and recesses 10 with respect to a mid-surface M adapted to facilitate the deformation of the insert 5, in a direction transverse to the direction L of the stress P and/or essentially parallel to the mid-surface M.
In greater detail, the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 with respect to the mid-surface M may be formed on at least one of the surfaces 7, 7' of the insert 5, as shown in FIG. 1.
In certain embodiments, not shown in the annexed drawings, the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 with respect to the mid-surface M may be provided either on the top surface 8 of the frame 3 or on the bottom surface 6' of the flexible covering 6, or on both, providing in either case an increased deformation of the insert 5. In fact, the latter faces toward both the top surface 8 of the frame 3 and the bottom surface 6' of the covering 6.
The stress P exerted along the direction L results in a deformation of the insert 5 which has at least one component parallel and one component transverse to the direction L. The protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 allow both deformation components to develop freely, and particularly enhance the transverse deformation component. In fact, no mutual sliding between the insert 5 and the frame 3 is required for the latter component to develop, and no friction or adhesion forces between the insert 5 and the frame 3 shall be defeated. If the stress P is essentially orthogonal to the mid-surface M, the transverse component of the deformation may be essentially parallel to the mid-surface M.
As is shown, the protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 allow a greater deformation of the insert 5 and, as a result, a higher energy dissipation. In fact, the gel of the insert 5 may show hysteresis, and dissipate energy when it is under stress .
The protuberances 9 and the recesses 10 may be of various types and have different designs. Particularly, as shown in the annexed figures, the protuberances 9 may have top surfaces 11 mainly extending along respective first lines, and the recesses 10 may have bottom surfaces 12 mainly extending along respective second lines.
The first and second main extension lines may be either curved or essentially straight and essentially parallel.
Furthermore, the top surfaces 11 of the protuberances 9 and the bottom surfaces 12 of the recesses 10 may be connected together by inclined surfaces 13 having respective inclination angles A relative to the mid-surface M. In greater detail, the inclination angles A may be of 5° to 85° and preferably of about 45°.
As shown in Fig. 1, the resilient filler layer 4 may be interposed between the frame 3 and the flexible covering 6 and may include an enlarged rear portion 14 for supporting the buttocks of a user, a front horn portion 15 and a central portion 16. A through cavity 17, which is designed to receive the insert 5, may be formed on the central portion 16 or on the enlarged rear portion 14. In this case, the through cavity (not shown) may be placed at the ischial bones of the user.
Also, the insert 5 may extend from the top surface 8 of the frame 3 to the flexible covering 6.
Suitably, the gel material may be essentially optically transparent, to permit the passage of light through it. Also, the flexible covering 6 may have at least one essentially optically transparent portion 18, placed upon the insert 5. The transparent portion 18 of the flexible covering 6 may be integral with the remaining portion thereof, or form a separate portion connected to the remaining portion by appropriate connection means (not shown) .
Furthermore, the base material of the frame 3 may be polymeric and essentially optically transparent. Therefore, light may pass through the covering 6, the insert 5 and the frame 3, i.e. through the whole support structure 1.
In a further embodiment (not shown in the annexed drawings), the base material of the frame 3 may be a ligneous, metal or composite material. Here again, the passage of light through the whole support structure 1 may be assured by forming at least one through hole in the frame 3. This hole may be positioned at the insert 5, and may be covered with a polymeric, essentially optically transparent layer, to support the insert 5 and prevent the latter from being soiled with dust or dirt.
The above description clearly shows that the inventive structure fulfils the proposed objects and particularly the design of the gel insert and the frame allows to considerably reduce the stresses transmitted to the user, with a consequent comfort increase.
The structure of the invention is susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.
While the structure has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. A viscoelastic support structure with improved energy absorption properties, comprising a rigid or semirigid frame (3), at least one layer (4) made of a resilient filler, a flexible covering (6) having a surface of contact (2) with the user, at least one gel insert (5) interposed between said covering (6) and said frame (3) to interact therewith when the user exerts a stress (P) thereon, characterized in that, a plurality of protuberances (9) and/or recesses (10) is provided on said insert (5) and/or said frame (3) and/or said covering (6), with respect to a mid-surface (M) , said insert being conformed to facilitate the deformation of said insert (5), in a direction transverse to the direction (L) of stress (P) and/or essentially parallel to said mid-surface (M) , to increase the energy that said insert (5) is able to dissipate .
2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said protuberances (9) and/or said recesses (10) are provided on at least one surface (7, 7') of said insert (5) .
3. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said protuberances (9) and/or said recesses (10) are provided on a top surface (8) of said frame (3), said top surface (8) facing toward said insert (5).
4. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said protuberances (9) and/or said recesses (10) are provided on a bottom surface (6') of said flexible covering (6), said bottom surface (6') facing toward said insert (5) .
5. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said protuberances (9) have top surfaces (11) mainly extending along respective first lines.
6. A structure as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said recesses (10) have bottom surfaces (12) mainly extending along respective second lines.
7. A structure as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said first and second extension lines are curved and/or straight.
8. A structure as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said protuberances (9) and/or recesses (10) have inclined surfaces (13) for connecting said top surfaces (11) and said bottom surfaces (12), with respective inclination angles (A) relative to said mid-surface (M) .
9. A structure as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said inclination angles (A) are of 5° to 85° and preferably of about 45°.
10. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said filler layer (4) has an enlarged rear portion (14) for supporting the buttocks of a user, a front horn portion (15) and a central portion (16), said central portion (16) and/or said rear portion (14) having at least one through cavity (17) .
11. A structure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said at least one through cavity of said rear portion (14) is placed at the ischial bones of the user.
12. A structure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said insert (5) is received in said through cavity (17) of said central portion (16) and/or said rear portion (14).
13. A structure as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said insert (5) extends from said frame (3) to said flexible covering ( 6) .
14. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said gel material is essentially optically transparent.
15. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said flexible covering (6) has at least one essentially optically transparent portion (18).
16. A structure as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said transparent portion (18) of said flexible covering (6) is located above said insert (5) .
17. A structure as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said transparent portion (18) of said covering (6) is a separate portion, connected to the rest of said flexible covering (6) by suitable connection means.
18. A structure as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said transparent portion (18) is integral with the rest of said flexible covering (6).
19. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base material of said frame (3) is polymeric and essentially optically transparent to permit the passage of light through said covering (6), said gel insert (5) and said frame (3) .
20. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base material of said frame (3) is a ligneous, metal or composite material, said frame (3) having at least one through hole, which is covered by a polymeric and essentially optically transparent layer.
PCT/IB2004/003224 2003-10-03 2004-10-04 Viscoelastic support structure with improved energy absorption properties WO2005032922A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE602004004913T DE602004004913T2 (en) 2003-10-03 2004-10-04 VISCOELASTIC SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH IMPROVED ENERGY RECORDING PROPERTIES
US10/574,520 US7572498B2 (en) 2003-10-03 2004-10-04 Viscoelastic support structure with improved energy absorption properties
EP04769546A EP1667896B1 (en) 2003-10-03 2004-10-04 Viscoelastic support structure with improved energy absorption properties

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IT000193A ITVI20030193A1 (en) 2003-10-03 2003-10-03 STRUCTURE OF VISCO-ELASTIC ABSORPTION SUPPORT

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CN (1) CN100390014C (en)
AT (1) ATE354511T1 (en)
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ITVI20070134A1 (en) * 2007-05-09 2008-11-10 Selle Royal Spa SESSION STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR ITS REALIZATION.
WO2014003094A1 (en) 2012-06-28 2014-01-03 テイ・エス テック株式会社 Cushioning-material structure for vehicle seat
WO2014003091A1 (en) * 2012-06-28 2014-01-03 テイ・エス テック株式会社 Bottom-plate structure for vehicle seat
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US20070141307A1 (en) 2007-06-21
DE602004004913T2 (en) 2008-01-31
CN1878693A (en) 2006-12-13
EP1667896B1 (en) 2007-02-21
CN100390014C (en) 2008-05-28
ITVI20030193A1 (en) 2005-04-04
ATE354511T1 (en) 2007-03-15
EP1667896A1 (en) 2006-06-14
US7572498B2 (en) 2009-08-11
DE602004004913D1 (en) 2007-04-05

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