Cushioning structure

Claim 2

A cushioning material structure of foamed resilient material of a structural form comprising: (a.) a plurality of generally planar and opposing lateral sides, having a plurality of indentures formed in at least one of the opposing sides in the general configuration of a grid surface in the sides; and (b.) the indentures being in geometric shape with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in a grid in repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance and structural support laterally throughout the structure, and (c.) wherein the space external of the indentures and between the opposing sides contains a resilient foam.

Claim 3

A cushioning structure according to claim 1 wherein the indentures include a plurality of tube apertures extending from one opposing side to the other opposing side.

Claim 4

A cushioning structure according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the indentures comprise a plurality of truncated prism forms; and further wherein the indentures also include a plurality of tube apertures extending from one opposing lateral side to the other opposing lateral side.

Claim 5

A cushioning structure for use in a surrounding atmosphere and for dampening impact shock loads that are suddenly applied, comprising: (a.) a plurality of planar strata of pliable material having a plurality of cell/indenture structures bonded and sealed there between with each cell/indenture structure formed in a resilient material that includes a plurality of generally planar and opposing lateral sides, that are bonded to the planar strata to include a plurality of cell/indentures formed in the opposing lateral sides in the general configuration of a grid surface in the opposing lateral sides, (b.) the cell/indentures being in geometric shapes with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in a grid in repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance laterally throughout the structure, and (c.) wherein the space external of the cell/indentures and between the opposing lateral sides contains a resilient foam.

Claim 6

A cushioning structure for use in a surrounding atmosphere and for dampening impact shock loads that are suddenly applied, comprising: (a.) a plurality of planar strata of pliable material having a plurality of cell/indenture structures bonded and sealed there between with each cell/indenture structure formed in a resilient material that includes a plurality of generally planar and opposing lateral sides, that are bonded to the planar strata to include a plurality of cell/indentures formed in the opposing lateral sides in the general configuration of a grid surface in the opposing lateral sides, (b.) the cell/indentures being in geometric shapes with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in a grid in repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance laterally throughout the structure, and (c.) wherein the space external of the cell/indentures and between the opposing lateral sides contains a resilient foam.

Claim 7

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the cell/indentures include a plurality of tube apertures extending from one opposing lateral side to the other opposing lateral side.

Claim 8

A cushioning material according to claim 4 wherein the cell/indentures include a plurality of truncated prism forms; and wherein the cell/indentures include a plurality of tube apertures extending from one opposing lateral side to the other opposing lateral side.

Claim 9

A cushioning structure according to claim 5 wherein apertures to the external atmosphere are provided in the planar strata to provide a valving action in the passage of fluid from the said cell/indentures to the external atmosphere.

Claim 10

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the cell/indentures are formed in a geometric shape in a grid surface, and the cell/indentures are arranged in a substantially quadratic repeating patterns.

Claim 11

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the indentures are in the form of a polygon including a plurality of walls in substantially upstanding relationship of the plane of said planar sides and having a closed and sealed end in a position opposite to the said planar sides.

Claim 12

A cushioning structure indentures formed in one of the opposing sides in a general configuration of a grid surface in the side, (b.) the indentures being in geometric shapes with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in grid repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance laterally throughout the structure, and (c.) wherein the space external of adjacent indentures and between opposing lateral sides contains a resilient foam.

Claim 13

A cushioning structure indentures formed in one of the opposing sides in a general configuration of a grid surface in the side, (b.) the indentures being in geometric shapes with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in grid repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance laterally throughout the structure, and (c.) wherein the space external of adjacent indentures and between opposing lateral sides contains a resilient foam.

Claim 14

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein fluid passage means is provided between adjacent cell/indentures for the transfer of fluid and the pressure in one or more cell/indentures is increased as the result of impact shock loads upon the outer surface of a stratum and the amount of fluid communication between the cell/indentures is controlled at a preselected rate by a valving action of the passages for the fluid communication to provide a preselected dampening for a preselected range of shocks.

Claim 15

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the number of strata is two, one of which is bonded on each side of the cushioning material.

Claim 16

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the number of strata is greater than 2 and each strata has a foam bonded therebetween in a multi-layer sandwich.

Claim 17

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the cell/indentures are formed in a geometric shape in a grid surface, and the cell/indentures are arranged in substantially quadratic repeating patterns.

Claim 18

A cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the cell/indentures include a plurality of truncated prism forms; whenever they are included in the repeated quadratic pattern.

Claim 19

A cushioning structure according to claim 5 wherein fluid passage means is provided between adjacent cells/indentures for the transfer of fluid when the pressure in one or more cells/indentures is increased as the result of impact shock loads upon the outer surface of a stratum and the amount of fluid communication between the cells/indentures is controlled at a preselected rate by a valving action of the passages for the fluid communication to provide a preselected dampening for a preselected range of shocks.

Claim 20

A cushioning structure according to claim 1 wherein the indentures are in the form of a polygon including a plurality of walls in substantially upstanding relationship to the plane of said lateral sides and having a closed and sealed end in a position opposite to the said lateral sides.

Claim 21

In a cushioning structure according to claim 4 wherein the indentures are in the form of a polygon including a plurality of walls in substantially upstanding relationship to the plane of said lateral sides and having a closed and sealed end in a position opposite to the side sides.

Claim 22

A cushioning material structure of a resilient material of a structural form comprising: (a) a plurality of generally planar and opposing lateral sides, having a plurality of indentures formed in one of the opposing lateral sides in a general configuration of a grid surface in the lateral side, (b) the indentures being in geometric shapes with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in a grid in repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance laterally throughout the structure and (c) wherein the space external of the indentures and between the opposing lateral sides and the indentures contains a resilient foam.

Claim 23

A cushioning material structure of a resilient material of a structural form comprising: (a) a plurality of generally planar and opposing lateral sides, having a plurality of indentures formed in one of the opposing lateral sides in a general configuration of a grid surface in the lateral side, (b) the indentures being in geometric shapes with walls of structural integrity resulting from their shape and arranged in a grid in repeating patterns that provide a continuum of cushioning performance laterally throughout the structure and (c) wherein the space external of the indentures and between the opposing lateral sides and the indentures contains a resilient foam.

Claim 24

A cushioning structure according to claim 19 wherein the indentures include a plurality of truncated prism forms.

Claim 25

A cushioning material according to claim 19 wherein the indentures include a plurality of tube apertures extending from one opposing lateral side to the other opposing lateral side.

Claim 26

A cushioning structure according to claim 19 wherein a portion of the indentures comprise a plurality of truncated prism forms; and wherein the indentures further include a plurality of tube apertures extending from one opposing lateral side to the other opposing lateral side.

Claim 27

A cushioning structure according to claim 19 wherein fluid passage means is provided between adjacent indentures for the transfer of a fluid in the indentures when the pressure in one or more indentures is increased as a result of impact shock loads upon the outer surface of a side and the amount of fluid communication between the indentures is controlled at a preselected rate by a valving action of the passage for the fluid communication to provide a preselected dampening for a preselected range of shocks.