US3574873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid-type support structure for simulating flotation-type support
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-05-14
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A cushion is constructed with an internal, soft matrix secured to, and contained within, an elastic and flexible envelope within which a fluid is contained at atmospheric pressure. Over the matrix is placed a cover of a material whose surface has a low coefficient of friction. The foregoing produces, when a person sits on the cushion, a substantially uniform pressure which is sufficiently low, and a resistance to lateral movement of the person sitting on the cushion which is also sufficiently low, to prevent or minimize the formation of decubitus ulcers.
Inventors
- 👤 James D Weinstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:47
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/08; A47C27/088; A47C27/085; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S5/00; Y10S5/909; Y10S5/926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A cushion for supporting portions of a body, comprising a fluid-impervious envelope having an upper wall and a lower wall peripherally interconnected to one another so as to define an enclosed space, said upper wall being constructed of a flexible and elastic dental-dam sheet-rubber material, means disposed within said envelope, said means being readily deformable under compression but being substantially nonstretchable, said means defining a plurality of interconnected passageways, a fluid disposed within said envelope and generally throughout the passageways in said means, said fluid having a pressure sufficient to support the major portion of the weight of a portion of a body disposed on said upper wall when said means is partially compressed, portions of said upper wall of said envelope being secured at least at spaced points to said means, whereby separation of said portions of said envelope from said means is substantially prevented when the fluid pressure is increased due to the weight of a portion of a body disposed on said upper wall, and at least the portion of said means beneath said upper wall being of a nature permitting, over a limited distance, relatively unrestricted lateral movement of the portion of said upper wall secured thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A cushion for supporting portions of a body, comprising a fluid-impervious envelope having an upper wall and a lower wall peripherally interconnected to one another so as to define an enclosed space, said upper wall being constructed of a flexible and elastic dental-dam sheet-rubber material, means disposed within said envelope, said means being readily deformable under compression but being substantially nonstretchable, said means defining a plurality of interconnected passageways, a fluid disposed within said envelope and generally throughout the passageways in said means, said fluid having a pressure sufficient to support the major portion of the weight of a portion of a body disposed on said upper wall when said means is partially compressed, portions of said upper wall of said envelope being secured at least at spaced points to said means, whereby separation of said portions of said envelope from said means is substantially prevented when the fluid pressure is increased due to the weight of a portion of a body disposed on said upper wall, and at least the portion of said means beneath said upper wall being of a nature permitting, over a limited distance, relatively unrestricted lateral movement of the portion of said upper wall secured thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cushion according to claim 1, wherein said means is a matrix having a plurality of channels cut into its surface beneath said upper wall in a manner leaving a plurality of spaced upstanding columns extending from a common base and supporting at least a portion of said upper wall, the upper ends of said columns being capable of relatively unrestricted lateral movement over a limited distance relative to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cushion according to claim 1, including a support member having an opening therein adapted to receive said fluid-impervious envelope containing said fluid and said means, said support member being adapted to peripherally surround said envelope and to provide support for portions of a body extending beyond the limits of the upper wall of said fluid-impervious envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said upper wall is bonded to the upper surface of said columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said upper wall has an upper surface which is slippery to further reduce the shear forces on the supported body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A cushion according to claim 5, Wherein at least a portion of said fluid is a liquid, said liquid being sufficient in amount to contact at least a portion of the lower surface of said upper wall upon compression of said means when a portion of a body is disposed on said upper wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cushion according to claim 6, and a cover over at least a portion of the upper surface of said upper wall said cover being formed from a material which is slippery relative to the material of said upper wall to increase the lubricity of the uppermost surface of the cushion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |