CA1240414A - Resilient supporting device - Google Patents

Resilient supporting device

Info

Publication number
CA1240414A
CA1240414A CA000487278A CA487278A CA1240414A CA 1240414 A CA1240414 A CA 1240414A CA 000487278 A CA000487278 A CA 000487278A CA 487278 A CA487278 A CA 487278A CA 1240414 A CA1240414 A CA 1240414A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
compartments
supporting device
liquid
compartment
filled
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
Application number
CA000487278A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lasse Hessel
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1240414A publication Critical patent/CA1240414A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C4/00Foldable, collapsible or dismountable chairs
    • A47C4/54Inflatable chairs
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/085Fluid mattresses or cushions of liquid type, e.g. filled with water or gel
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S5/00Beds
    • Y10S5/909Flowable viscous, e.g. gel material containing

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A body supporting device comprising a plurality of liquid-filled compartments, each compartment communicating with at least one further compartment through liquid flow-inhibited flow passages, said compartments being filled with a liquid having a viscosity which is higher than that of water.

Description

This invention relates -to a resilient supporting device com-prising 3 system of compartments filled wi-th liquid and having flexib-ie walls. More particularly, the invention relates to a resilient sup-porting ~evice in the form of a mattress, cushion, pillow or the like.
A prior art liquid-filled supporting device of the above mentioned type is a waterbed mattress.
It is well known that the conventional waterbed mattresses suffer from the defec~ that there is a -tendency for wave motions to be created in the water during use of the waterbeds. Such wave 10 motions have a relatively long damping time and they may make the users of the waterbeds feel uncomfortable.
It has been attempted to reduce such undesired wave mo-tions in waterbed mattresses by putting baffie plates inside the mattresses. Another solution of the same problem is disclosed in UK
patent application No. 2.û56.270 A which describes a waterbed mat-tress comprising a layer of open celled plastic foam partially sub-merged in the water provided within said r~attress.
As disclosed in US patent specification No. 3.81û.265 it has also been attempted to dampen the wave moticns in waterbed mattresses by adding to the wa-ter a viscosity increasing agent.
Another type of resilient supporting devices is disclosed in the published German patent application No. 30 31 777 A1 which de-scribes i.a. a bicycle seat comprising two pads, each filled with a mixture of a flow reducing porous material (no exampies of such a ~5 material are disclosed) and a viscous compressible mass consisting of air and a liquid ~no examples of such liquid are disclosed).
The object of the invention is to provide a supporting de-vice of the above mentioneci type which, when loaded, produces a relatively low counter pressure during the initial loading phase and which counter pressure subsequently ~radually increases to such a level tha-t no further compression takes place.
Another object of the inventiol1 is to provide a resilient supporting device having liquid-filled compartments in which sub-stantially no wave motion is generated during use.
These objects and other objects which will appear from the following description are achieved with the supporting device oF the invention, which supporting device is characteriz~d in that i-t com-prises a plurality oF liquid-filled compartments, each compartment communicating with at least one further compartment throu~h a flow passage comprisin~ liquid flow inhibiting means and that the liquid in said compartments has a viscosity which is higher than that of water .
The combined effect of the presence olF the liquid flow in-hibiting means between the compartments filled with iiquid and the relatively high viscosity of said liquid is a substantial resistance against the flow of liquid -from loaded to non-loaded or slightly ioaded compartments. Thus, the supporting device will initially yield to the load. However, gradually the counter pressure increases as a result of the increasing pressure within the unioaded and sliglhtly loaded compartments. The flow resistance produced by the flow inhibiting neans and the use of a highly viscous liquid also prevent wave motions to be generated in the liquid-filled compartments.
I n a preferred embodiment of the supporting device each liquid-filled compartment is connected with at least one adjacent com-~ partment through a passage having a cross-sectional area which is substantially lower than that of the former compartment. Such a supporting device is readily manufactured, e.g. by welding together two sheets of a flexible sheet material.
The supporting device preferably comprises compartments which are dome-shaped at least on its top surface. Such a configu-ration of the compartments is especially useful when the device is in the form of a mattress or cushion because this configuration permits air to circulate in the free spaces between the dome-shaped compart-ments when a human body or part thereof is resting on said mattress or cushion.
The above mentioned embodiment presents a further advan-tage with respect to comfort. Thus, it is weli known that a seat which exerts the same pressure on all parts of the human body in contact with the seat is less comfortable than a seat which is in contact with the human body only within separate zones. Such con-35 tact within separate zones is obtained with a supporting devicecomprising dome-shaped cormpartments.

As indicated above, the compartrnents may be provi~led by welding together two superimposed plastic sheet materials in a pat-tern corresponding to -the desired numher of compartments and interconnecting passages. In a preferred embocliment, however, the 5 supporting device comprises compartments having walls made from a foamed elas~omeric material, such as foamed neoprene rubber, be-cause such material further increases the resiliency, i.a. by permit-ting a certain increase of the volume of the compartments when loaded .
Instead of using compartment walls of a foamed elastomeric material it may be desirable to use a slab comprising a plurality of compartments, said slab being surrounded by a cover made from a foamed elastomeric material. The thickness of the walls of the foamed elastomeric material or of the cover is preferably 3-7 mm. The foamed elastomeric material may ke reinforced e.g. by a Nylon fabrk on one or both sides.
As rnentioned above the viscosity of the liquid present in the compartments is higher than that of water and it is preferably , substantiaily higher. The viscosity of water at 20C is 1.002 cp and preferred liquids are such which have viscosities of at least 10 cp at 20C. Examples of such licluids are glycerin, ethylene glycol, animal and ve~etable oils.
Also mixtures of two or more cornponents, e.g. mixtures of oils, are suitable.
The supporting devices according to the invention have many applications. Thus, in the form of mattresses they are useful as waterbeds for ordinary use and for therapeutic use. They may also be in the form of shee-ts and such sheets are suitable for using a pad to be placed on top of an ordinary mattress. Such sheets are also suitable as floor-covering ma-terials and are particularly suitable for use in places, such as shops, where people are standing on their feet for long periods. Such sheets may also be used instead o-f underfelts for carpets. Similarly, the sheets may be used as bed plates for machines and as a shock-absorbing material for the pack-ing of sensitive instrumer1ts and apparatuses.
The resilient devices of the inven~ion may also have the form of cushions and such cushions are suitable for use as chair seats including car and tractor seats. Furthermore, the supporting devices may be used in footwear, e.g. as part of shoe heels.
The invention will now be described in further detail with 5 reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the device accorcling to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a vertical sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1 placed within a cover, Fig. 3 shows a top view of another embodiment of -tlle device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 shows a liquid flow inhibiting means of the devioe according to Fig. 3 in enlarged scale.
Fig. 1 shows two films 1 which are welded together in 15 such a pattern that there is provided a plurality of essentially ball-shaped compartments 2. These compartments 2 are interconnect-ed through narrow passages 3 and both the compartments 2 and the passages 3 are filled with a viscous liquid.
Fig. 2 shows a supporting device corresponcling to that of Fig. 1 p!aced within a cover 4 made from a foamed plastics material, e . g . a foamed neoprene rubber . The supporting device shown in Fig. 3 comprises two sheets 10 which together forms a continuous tube extenciing from one end of the device to the opposite one and being fiiled with a iiquid. The tube is divided into compartments 12 25 by means of liquid flow-inhibiting means 11. These liquid fiow-inhi-biting means which are shown in detail in Fig. 4 comprise two inter-connected oppositely directed spiral paths. Thus, when liquicl is flowing from one compartment 12 to an adjacent one, the flow direc-tion is turned about 180 when the liquid flows from one spiral path 30 into the o-ther one and a considerable flow resistance is generated.

` `

Claims (7)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A resilient supporting device comprising a system of compartments filled with a liquid and having flexible walls, c h a -r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises a plurality of compartments, each compartment communicating with at least one further compart-ment through a flow passage comprising liquid flow inhibiting means and that the liquid in said compartments has a viscosity which is higher than that of water.
2. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c -t e r i z e d in that each compartment is connected with an adjacent compartment through a flow passage having a cross-sectional area which is substantially smaller than that of the former compartment.
3. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c -t e r i z e d in that the compartments are dome-shaped at least on the top surface of the supporting device.
4. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c -t e r i z e d in that the walls of the compartments are made from a foamed elastomeric material.
5. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c -t e r i z e d in that it consists of a slab composed of interconnected liquid-filled compartments, said slab being surrounded by a cover of a foamed elastomeric material.
6. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c -t e r i z e d in that the liquid present in the compartments has a viscosity exceeding 10 cp at 20°C.
7. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c -t e r i z e d in that the liquid present in the compartments is se-lected from a group consisting of glycerin, ethylene glycol, animal and vegetable oils and mixtures thereof.
CA000487278A 1984-07-24 1985-07-23 Resilient supporting device Expired CA1240414A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK3627/84 1984-07-24
DK362784A DK158249C (en) 1984-07-24 1984-07-24 SPRING SUPPORT ORGANIZATION, IN THE FORM OF A MATTRESS, SEAT, A CUSHION OR SIMILAR

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1240414A true CA1240414A (en) 1988-08-09

Family

ID=8125034

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000487278A Expired CA1240414A (en) 1984-07-24 1985-07-23 Resilient supporting device

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US4707872A (en)
EP (1) EP0170947A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6162634A (en)
AU (1) AU4533585A (en)
CA (1) CA1240414A (en)
DK (1) DK158249C (en)
ES (1) ES296383Y (en)
FI (1) FI852860L (en)
NO (1) NO852922L (en)
ZA (1) ZA855398B (en)

Families Citing this family (55)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH671691A5 (en) * 1987-01-08 1989-09-29 Sulzer Ag
US4856118A (en) * 1987-02-11 1989-08-15 Bose Corporation Headphone cushioning
JPS63257514A (en) * 1987-04-14 1988-10-25 株式会社ハイビックス Liquid mat
DK157725C (en) * 1987-08-14 1990-07-09 Cellastic As MEASURES TO SUPPORT A PERSON IN URBAN POSITION AND PROCEDURE FOR PREPARING SAME
IT1229593B (en) * 1987-11-09 1991-09-04 Luciano Geri FOOT SUPPORT TO MAKE VARIABLE AND SELF-ADAPTABLE INDIVIDUAL CORRECTIONS FOR ORTHOPEDIC AND PREVENTION PURPOSES
US5197975A (en) * 1989-01-09 1993-03-30 Bruno Mombrinie Radiolucent spine support frame
US4901386A (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-02-20 Lane Walter W Air adjustable water mattress
US4934072A (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-06-19 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Fluid dynamic shoe
CA1331889C (en) * 1989-09-19 1994-09-06 Bruno H. Walter Bed mattress or the like
JPH0358158U (en) * 1989-10-11 1991-06-05
US5005238A (en) * 1990-08-29 1991-04-09 Nature Sleep Corporation Water bed mattress
US5060328A (en) * 1990-10-09 1991-10-29 Larson Lynn D Waterbed mattress with spring insert
FR2703891B1 (en) * 1993-04-16 1995-06-23 Bayart Achille & C SEAT ACCESSORY, IN PARTICULAR FOR CONSTITUTING A TRIM TO BE PLACED AT THE LEVEL OF THE BACKREST AND / OR THE SEAT OF A SEAT.
US5433506A (en) * 1993-11-30 1995-07-18 Jensen; Hans C. Pneumatically-cushioned chair
CA2136153A1 (en) * 1994-11-18 1996-05-19 James Francis Nixon Pro-active lumbar support
USD381544S (en) * 1995-08-17 1997-07-29 Dielectrics Industries Inflatable air cushion
DE19701512A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-23 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Padding for motor vehicle seat
US5927807A (en) * 1998-05-19 1999-07-27 Heller; Hilary A. Water support device for chairs
US6094758A (en) * 1998-07-02 2000-08-01 Renfro; William L. Waterbed mattress system for boats
GB2342857A (en) * 1998-10-20 2000-04-26 James Arthur Hill Viscous fluid filled seat cushion
US6419704B1 (en) 1999-10-08 2002-07-16 Bret Ferree Artificial intervertebral disc replacement methods and apparatus
US6969404B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2005-11-29 Ferree Bret A Annulus fibrosis augmentation methods and apparatus
US6519797B1 (en) * 1999-08-10 2003-02-18 Dynamic Contours Llc Self adjusting, contouring cushioning system
US6941602B2 (en) 1999-08-10 2005-09-13 Dynamic Contours, Llc Self adjusting, contouring cushioning system
US7201776B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2007-04-10 Ferree Bret A Artificial intervertebral disc replacements with endplates
US6685695B2 (en) * 1999-08-13 2004-02-03 Bret A. Ferree Method and apparatus for providing nutrition to intervertebral disc tissue
US6793677B2 (en) * 1999-08-13 2004-09-21 Bret A. Ferree Method of providing cells and other biologic materials for transplantation
US6454804B1 (en) 1999-10-08 2002-09-24 Bret A. Ferree Engineered tissue annulus fibrosis augmentation methods and apparatus
US7435260B2 (en) * 1999-08-13 2008-10-14 Ferree Bret A Use of morphogenetic proteins to treat human disc disease
US6755863B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2004-06-29 Bret A. Ferree Rotator cuff repair using engineered tissues
US6447871B1 (en) 1999-09-27 2002-09-10 The Aerospace Corporation Composite materials with embedded machines
US6830793B2 (en) * 1999-09-27 2004-12-14 The Aerospace Corporation Composite damping material
US20030026788A1 (en) * 1999-10-08 2003-02-06 Ferree Bret A. Use of extracellular matrix tissue to preserve cultured cell phenotype
US6648920B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2003-11-18 Bret A. Ferree Natural and synthetic supplements to engineered annulus and disc tissues
US6645247B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2003-11-11 Bret A. Ferree Supplementing engineered annulus tissues with autograft of allograft tendons
US7201774B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2007-04-10 Ferree Bret A Artificial intervertebral disc replacements incorporating reinforced wall sections
US20040172019A1 (en) * 1999-10-08 2004-09-02 Ferree Bret A. Reinforcers for artificial disc replacement methods and apparatus
US7060100B2 (en) * 1999-10-08 2006-06-13 Ferree Bret A Artificial disc and joint replacements with modular cushioning components
US6648919B2 (en) * 1999-10-14 2003-11-18 Bret A. Ferree Transplantation of engineered meniscus tissue to the intervertebral disc
PE20030306A1 (en) * 2001-07-27 2003-06-14 Inchaustegui Rafael Danino CONTROLLED PRESSURE AND FLOTATION SYSTEM
US7540847B2 (en) * 2004-01-16 2009-06-02 Klein Charles W Apparatus and method for selectively transmitting vibrations to an individual situated on a support surface
US9026578B2 (en) 2004-05-14 2015-05-05 Microsoft Corporation Systems and methods for persisting data between web pages
US20060052870A1 (en) * 2004-09-09 2006-03-09 Ferree Bret A Methods and apparatus to prevent movement through artificial disc replacements
US7461726B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2008-12-09 The Aerospace Corporation Force diversion apparatus and methods
US7367898B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2008-05-06 The Aerospace Corporation Force diversion apparatus and methods and devices including the same
US8607387B2 (en) * 2006-11-20 2013-12-17 Stryker Corporation Multi-walled gelastic mattress system
US8549684B2 (en) * 2008-03-25 2013-10-08 Stryker Corporation Gelastic material having variable or same hardness and balanced, independent buckling in a mattress system
US8051516B2 (en) * 2008-07-30 2011-11-08 Micropulse, Inc. Clinical support pad
ES2356440B1 (en) * 2008-11-27 2012-02-17 Juan Carlos Chasco Perez De Arenaza FLEXIBLE PRESS SHEET, AND PROCEDURE FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
WO2010061015A1 (en) * 2008-11-27 2010-06-03 Chasco Perez De Arenaza Juan C Flexible pressure sheet
US9194452B2 (en) 2012-10-31 2015-11-24 The Aerospace Corporation High stiffness vibration damping apparatus, methods and systems
US9320666B2 (en) 2014-02-26 2016-04-26 Prs Medical Technologies, Inc. Multi-layered cushioning support
US20160242485A1 (en) * 2015-02-25 2016-08-25 Steven Christopher CARTON Helmet
WO2016191309A1 (en) 2015-05-22 2016-12-01 Et Medical Technologies, Llc Medical implant for replacing atrophic fat pads in the foot
CN114747903A (en) * 2022-03-24 2022-07-15 慕思健康睡眠股份有限公司 Flexible filler elasticity bed course and mattress

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1353260A (en) * 1919-11-03 1920-09-21 Frederick I Monks Mattress-support
US2655369A (en) * 1949-11-17 1953-10-13 Louis C Musilli Shock absorbing device
US2748399A (en) * 1950-05-25 1956-06-05 Dayton Rubber Company Light-weight foam rubber cushioning structure
US3548420A (en) * 1967-03-06 1970-12-22 Stryker Corp Cushion structure
US3574873A (en) * 1968-05-14 1971-04-13 James D Weinstein Fluid-type support structure for simulating flotation-type support
US3689948A (en) * 1970-06-09 1972-09-12 Us Army Polyvinyl alcohol gel support pad
US3810265A (en) * 1971-08-04 1974-05-14 Castleman C Viscosity control additive for water beds and other aqueous-filled furniture
US4005236A (en) * 1973-05-16 1977-01-25 Graebe Robert H Expandable multicelled cushioning structure
US3879776A (en) * 1974-01-10 1975-04-29 Morris Solen Variable tension fluid mattress
CA1053387A (en) * 1977-12-02 1979-04-24 John P. Bentley Inflatable seat cushion and body support assembly
GB2056270A (en) * 1979-07-23 1981-03-18 United Foam Corp Waveless waterbed
DE3031777A1 (en) * 1980-08-20 1982-03-25 Reinhold 3006 Burgwedel Titau Ventilated bicycle saddle assembly - has air chamber with connections to atmosphere between two seat cushions whose deformation causes pump action to ventilate seat surface
US4422194A (en) * 1981-08-24 1983-12-27 Connecticut Artcraft Corp. Fluid filled body supporting device
WO1985000960A1 (en) * 1983-08-31 1985-03-14 William Samuel Saloff Damped fluid displacement support system and method for making the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES296383Y (en) 1989-02-01
FI852860A0 (en) 1985-07-23
JPS6162634A (en) 1986-03-31
ZA855398B (en) 1986-03-26
NO852922L (en) 1986-01-27
ES296383U (en) 1988-05-16
DK158249C (en) 1990-09-24
DK158249B (en) 1990-04-23
AU4533585A (en) 1986-01-30
EP0170947A1 (en) 1986-02-12
US4707872A (en) 1987-11-24
DK362784D0 (en) 1984-07-24
FI852860L (en) 1986-01-25
DK362784A (en) 1986-01-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1240414A (en) Resilient supporting device
US4753480A (en) Pad assembly for wheelchairs
US4055866A (en) Polymorphic support systems
US5511260A (en) Anti-decubitus mattress pad
KR100645658B1 (en) Body support system and energy dissipation system thereof
US5444881A (en) Anatomical support apparatus
US5857749A (en) Wheelchair seat assembly with contoured seat pan and cushion and method
CA2044355C (en) Mattress with removable insert
US3605145A (en) Body support
US3574873A (en) Fluid-type support structure for simulating flotation-type support
JPS61500202A (en) Damped fluid displacement support device and its manufacturing method
US4912788A (en) Seat pad for invalid patients
US3702484A (en) Light-weight, minimum-volume water pad
US3815165A (en) Light-weight, minimum-volume water pad
EP0025031B1 (en) Seat cushion or bed cushion
US4972534A (en) Flotation cover for mattresses
US5494725A (en) Load bearing pad
US6863958B2 (en) Cushioning means
US20030019041A1 (en) Controlled pressure and flotation system
JPH0473011A (en) Cushion and manufacture thereof
EP1481613B1 (en) Seating means with pressure and flotation control
SE411295B (en) SITTING OR LIVING CUSHION
KR20000013207U (en) Seat frame of chair

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry