US3613671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable massaging pad for a seat
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-08-07
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1988-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A seat pad having a fabric cover attached to a pad base and a plurality of inflatable cells spaced parallel within the cover. Each of the inflatable cells is closed at one end and connected at the other end to an air tube which communicates with a compressed air source and the atmosphere. A distributor is interconnected between the air tubes, and the compressed air source and atmosphere to sequentially distribute the compressed air to the air tubes to alternately distribute the compressed air to the air tubes to alternately inflate and deflate each of the cells, thereby producing a translational pressure wave along the seat. The distributor includes a plate member having a plurality of ports communicating with the air tubes, a portion of these ports being relatively larger than the remaining portion to produce a differential in the translational inflating time and a varying volume and pressure of inflation in the air tubes. A padded headrest is also provided with a plurality of inflatable air chambers which are sequentially inflated and deflated in the same manner to produce a massaging effect.
Inventors
- 👤 John H Poor
- 👤 Charles H Logan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H9/00; A61H9/005; A61H9/0078; B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/90; B60N2/914; B60N2/976; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/01; A61H2201/0119; A61H2201/0134; A61H2201/0138; A61H2201/0149; A61H2201/0157; A61H2201/16; A61H2201/1602; A61H2201/1604; A61H2201/1623; A61H2201/1628; A61H2201/50; A61H2201/5053; A61H2205/00; A61H2205/02; A61H2205/08; A61H2205/081; A61H2205/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; a stator having a face and a plurality of ports extending through said face, said stator ports communicating with said tubes; a rotor having a face contiguous to said stator face and a feed chamber extending through said rotor face and communicating with said pressure source, said feed chamber adapted to register with each of the stator ports as said rotor rotates; said rotor further includes ports extending through said rotor face and being vented to the atmosphere; said rotor ports adapted to register with each of said stator ports as said rotor rotates; said distributing means further includes an indexing plate having one side confronting said stator face and the other side confronting said rotor face; said indexing plate further including a plurality of ports, each of said ports registering with a stator port; and at least one of said indexing ports being larger than the remaining indexing ports to permit a larger amount of fluid volume to enter the registering stator port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; a stator having a face and a plurality of ports extending through said face, said stator ports communicating with said tubes; a rotor having a face contiguous to said stator face and a feed chamber extending through said rotor face and communicating with said pressure source, said feed chamber adapted to register with each of the stator ports as said rotor rotates; said rotor further includes ports extending through said rotor face and being vented to the atmosphere; said rotor ports adapted to register with each of said stator ports as said rotor rotates; said distributing means further includes an indexing plate having one side confronting said stator face and the other side confronting said rotor face; said indexing plate further including a plurality of ports, each of said ports registering with a stator port; and at least one of said indexing ports being larger than the remaining indexing ports to permit a larger amount of fluid volume to enter the registering stator port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; a stator having a face and a plurality of ports extending through said face, said stator ports communicating with said tubes; a rotor having a face contiguous to said stator face and a feed chamber extending through said rotor face and communicating with said pressure source, said feed chamber adapted to register with each of the stator ports as said rotor rotates; said rotor further includes ports extending through said rotor face and being vented to the atmosphere; said rotor ports adapted to register with each of said stator ports as said rotor rotates; including a headrest located atop the back section of the seat, said headrest comprising: at least two inflatable cells spaced parallel in a longitudinal direction along said headrest; and a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells, said tubes being connected to said distributing means for sequential distribution of fluid pressure to said headrest cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; a stator having a face and a plurality of ports extending through said face, said stator ports communicating with said tubes; a rotor having a face contiguous to said stator face and a feed chamber extending through said rotor face and communicating with said pressure source, said feed chamber adapted to register with each of the stator ports as said rotor rotates; said rotor further includes ports extending through said rotor face and being vented to the atmosphere; said rotor ports adapted to register with each of said stator ports as said rotor rotates; including a headrest located atop the back section of the seat, said headrest comprising: at least two inflatable cells spaced parallel in a longitudinal direction along said headrest; and a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells, said tubes being connected to said distributing means for sequential distribution of fluid pressure to said headrest cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; and said pad further includes a fabric cover having a plurality of pockets for receiving said inflatable cells; and said pad further includes a base having a bottom section and a back section pivotally connected to said bottom section, said fabric cover extending over said base sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; and said pad further includes a fabric cover having a plurality of pockets for receiving said inflatable cells; and said pad further includes a base having a bottom section and a back section pivotally connected to said bottom section, said fabric cover extending over said base sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention in accordance with Claim 3 wherein said base includes a conduit for housing said tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; and each of said cells comprises an elongated tube folded at its midpoint in an overlapping position within said pocket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
An inflatable pad for a seat comprising: a plurality of inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; and each of said cells comprises an elongated tube folded at its midpoint in an overlapping position within said pocket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said cells further includes a layer of semirigid material integrally connected to the top side of the cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
A massaging pad for imparting therapeutic relief to a person supported thereon in a sedentary position comprising: a base having a bottom section and a back section pivotally connected to said bottom section; a fabric cover having a plurality of elongated parallel pockets adapted to be retained on said base so as to cover said bottom and said back sections; a plurality of elongated inflatable cells insertably disposed in said pockets extending transversely across said base; and means operably coupled to each of said cells for sequentially inflating and deflating said cells in accordance with a predetermined sequence so as to produce a translational movement of pressure in said cells in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
114 words
A massaging pad for imparting therapeutic relief to a person supported thereon in a sedentary position comprising: a base having a bottom section and a back section pivotally connected to said bottom section; a fabric cover having a plurality of elongated parallel pockets adapted to be retained on said base so as to cover said bottom and said back sections; a plurality of elongated inflatable cells insertably disposed in said pockets extending transversely across said base; and means operably coupled to each of said cells for sequentially inflating and deflating said cells in accordance with a predetermined sequence so as to produce a translational movement of pressure in said cells in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 including: a source of fluid pressure; and distribution means interconnecting said cells with said source of fluid pressure adapted to program said predetermined sequence to provide said translational movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said cells is folded about its midsection to provide a pair of cell portions lying on top of one another so as to collectively produce a vertical expansion when inflated to expand its respective pocket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said fabric cover includes a top and bottom layer of material secured together at predetermined locations in spaced-apart relationship across the width thereof so as to define each of said plurality of pockets between adjacent material securements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said pockets contains a plurality of overlying tubes each separately connected to said last-mentioned means for inflation and deflation together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
164 words
An inflatable pad for a seat to make more comfortable the body of a human being especially during an extended sitting period of time, said pad comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell, each of said cells being substantially lineal in configuration, said body effecting compressing of said cells against said seat, and means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat, whereby the blood flow within a human being is assisted to avoid discomfort of the human being, said means including means for effecting a holding action of at least one of said cells and simultaneously deflating one of said cells and inflating one of said cells, said holding cell being located between said inflating cell and said deflating cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
164 words
An inflatable pad for a seat to make more comfortable the body of a human being especially during an extended sitting period of time, said pad comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction along the base and back section of the seat, each of said cells being inflated independently from each other cell, each of said cells being substantially lineal in configuration, said body effecting compressing of said cells against said seat, and means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction of the seat, whereby the blood flow within a human being is assisted to avoid discomfort of the human being, said means including means for effecting a holding action of at least one of said cells and simultaneously deflating one of said cells and inflating one of said cells, said holding cell being located between said inflating cell and said deflating cell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inflatable pad as defined within claim 12 wherein: a plurality of said cells being held at the same time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
245 words
An inflatable pad comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction, each of said cells being inflated indepEndently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; a stator having a face and a plurality of ports extending through said face, said stator ports communicating with said tubes; a rotor having a face contiguous to said stator face and a feed chamber extending through said rotor face and communicating with said pressure source, said feed chamber adapted to register with each of the stator ports as said rotor rotates; said rotor further includes ports extending through said rotor face and being vented to the atmosphere; said rotor ports adapted to register with each of said stator ports as said rotor rotates; said distributing means includes an indexing plate having one side confronting said stator face and the other side confronting said rotor face; said indexing plate further including a plurality of ports, each of said ports registering with a stator port; and at least one pair of said indexing ports being varied in size to permit a varied amount of fluid volume to enter the registering stator port.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
245 words
An inflatable pad comprising: a plurality of elongated inflatable cells spaced parallel in a transverse direction, each of said cells being inflated indepEndently from each other cell; means for sequentially inflating and deflating said inflatable cells to produce a translational movement of pressure in the cells in the longitudinal direction; a tube communicating with the interior of each of said cells; distributing means connected to each of said tubes, said distributing means adapted to communicate with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere; a stator having a face and a plurality of ports extending through said face, said stator ports communicating with said tubes; a rotor having a face contiguous to said stator face and a feed chamber extending through said rotor face and communicating with said pressure source, said feed chamber adapted to register with each of the stator ports as said rotor rotates; said rotor further includes ports extending through said rotor face and being vented to the atmosphere; said rotor ports adapted to register with each of said stator ports as said rotor rotates; said distributing means includes an indexing plate having one side confronting said stator face and the other side confronting said rotor face; said indexing plate further including a plurality of ports, each of said ports registering with a stator port; and at least one pair of said indexing ports being varied in size to permit a varied amount of fluid volume to enter the registering stator port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
137 words
A massaging pad for imparting therapeutic relief to a person supported thereon in a sedentary position comprising: a fabric cover having a plurality of elongated parallel pockets adapted to be retained on said base so as to cover said bottom and said back sections; a plurality of elongated inflatable cells insertably disposed in said pockets extending transversely across said base; means operably coupled to each of said cells for sequentially inflating and deflating said cells in accordance with a predetermined sequence so as to produce a translational movement of pressure in said cells in the longitudinal direction; and each of said pockets containing a plurality of said cells, said cells lying one over the other and extending substantially in the same lineal direction, thereby obtaining maximum outward movement of said cells for a given volume of air.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
137 words
A massaging pad for imparting therapeutic relief to a person supported thereon in a sedentary position comprising: a fabric cover having a plurality of elongated parallel pockets adapted to be retained on said base so as to cover said bottom and said back sections; a plurality of elongated inflatable cells insertably disposed in said pockets extending transversely across said base; means operably coupled to each of said cells for sequentially inflating and deflating said cells in accordance with a predetermined sequence so as to produce a translational movement of pressure in said cells in the longitudinal direction; and each of said pockets containing a plurality of said cells, said cells lying one over the other and extending substantially in the same lineal direction, thereby obtaining maximum outward movement of said cells for a given volume of air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |