US1595698A - Air cushion - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 10 1926.

E. M. WILSON AIR CUSHION Filed July 8. 1925 Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES EVELYN M. WILSON, or srmron CONNECTICUT.

AIR CUSHIO Application filed July 8, 1925. Serial No. 42,241.

This invention relates to cushions and more particularly to pneumatic cushions adapted for hospital and invalid use.

A primary, object of the invention is to provide a cushion which is adapted to give support tothe back of a patient lying in bed, particularly at. points Where most people complain of distress while in bed which is at the small of the back.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable cushion which relieves pressure at diflerent points on the body which are susceptible to becoming pressure sores from prolonged confinement to the sick bed. Cushions heretofore generally used usually leave the hollow or what is known as the small of the back unsupported, but the present device conforms tothe contour of the body in such a way that all points of the body alongthe line of the cushion are supported in their natural manner thus relieving distress and giving support which adds to comfort.

With the above and other objects in view which will more. readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed. t

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure'l is a plan view of the improved air cushion.

, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken eflicient for the intended-purposes in on the line 22 of Figure '1.

Similar reference .characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings;

In carrying the invention into effect it is proposed to provide ,gn inflatable body designated generally as A of any suitable material such as rubber, or the like, which one side of the body there is provided an inis'not only easily inflated but resilient and.

soft under the weight of the patient. At

flating valve B for receivin air when the device is to be used pr de ating it when the cushion is to be collapsedfor storage or carrying. J

As will be observed from Figure 1 the body A is curved inwardly at itsshort ends thereby to substantially define a pair of relatively elongated wing-like pad members umn. These Wings are also equipped with central openings F and G, thereby providing. in etfect two elongated cushion loops or pads which are adapted to be positioned beneath the hbllow portion of the patients backon opposite sides of the spinal column so that the spinal column is supported on the'connecting web portion E. The inflated area E forms in effect a back supporting saddle and serves particularly as a support to the vertebral colu and muscles of the back thereby preventing, and also relieving, discomfort while the pads C and D support the sides of the body. Also due to the spacing and arrangement of the open ings F and G suflicient ventilation is permitted to avoid discomfort from body heat, which would not therwisebe permitted to escape. V

The construction and arrangement de scribed provides in efiect an air cushion having inflated side wings connected by the inflated intermediate web portion E; "and,

provide relatively narrow inflated portions while the intermediate web portion E .pro-, vides a relatively wide inflated back supporting saddle portion. These features have been found to be .very practical land pitaland invalid use.

- The present cushion therefore includes a body which may be positioned crosswise or lengthwise beneath the body of the patient thereby to be doubly serviceable. Also, it will be apparent that the shape of the present air cushion is such that it may be applied to any part of the body for purposes of support, andfor relieving discomfort and preventin I pressure sores as previously indicated, an furthermore is readily reversible end for-end or side for side.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claim.

I claim 2- An air cushion comprising a bod having. transversely spaced longitudina 1y exr tendings, the ends of said body being curved inwardly intermediate the Width thereof to partially define separate sections and form pairs of lobes and a comparatively Wide inflated intermediate Web connecting said sections and forming a back supporting saddle, sufiiciently wide to span the spinal column and to lie on opposite sides thereof. v

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature.

EVELYN M. WILSON.

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