Roho, Inc.

Dennis L Clapper

Christopher A Bar

Paul A Rickman

Robert H Graebe

David K Parsons

Robert Klotz

Robert W Graebe

Thomas L Borcherding

Thomas J Nurdin

J David McCausland

David McCausland

A cushion or mattress comprising a base and a plurality of linearly aligned individual air cells across the base. Groups of individual air cells can be interconnected and in fluid cooperation with an inflation source, such as a pump. In one aspect of the invention, the inflation of adjacent cells is staggered, for example, in a checkerboard-like inflation pattern that helps diffuse load over a wider area.

Inflatable cellular mattress with alternating zones of inflated cells

An attachment apparatus () for attachment to the air conduits () of a zoned air cell cushion A or mattress to an associated valve. The attachment apparatus comprises a connector assembly () with connectors () secured in the ends (N, N, N, N) of air conduits secured in a conduit constraint (). Each air conduit is in fluid communication with a separate inflation zone (r,s,t,u) of the cushion or mattress. The connectors are in fluid cooperation with a valve () that places normally isolated zones into fluid communication and vice versa. The connector assembly may function as a base for any one of a number of valves ().

Inflatable cushion valve and attachment apparatus

A cushioncomprising a molded foam basewith an array of individual suspension elementsat the ischial area of the cushion. In one aspect the array of suspension elements is in a recessin the top of the base and in another aspect the array of suspension elements is in an inner cavitydefined by the base. The suspension elements are arranged in a pattern wherein the longitudinal axis of each suspension element in the array is positioned at a right angle or parallel to the longitudinal axes of the adjacent suspension elements. Each suspension element has a displaceable load-bearing surface, a first end wall, a second end wall, and an optional bottom wall, with load-bearing surface and recited walls defining an inner chamber. The material thickness of the load-bearing surface generally is greater than the material thickness of the end walls whereby the end walls deflect outwardly toward the load-bearing surfaces of adjacent support elements under load. The load-bearing surface can have a substantially arch-shaped, elliptical or rectangular cross-section.

Molded seat cushion with internal shape matching ischial structures

A valve for use with an inflatable cushion having individual inflation zones including a slide housing positioned between two outer casing halves. Each casing half has a plurality of nipple connector seats. Each nipple connector seat has at least one external detent. The slide housing has a series of nipple connectors along its length that are inserted into air conduits in the peripheral edge of the cushion, which, in turn, are connected to the individual inflation zones. Each nipple connector has at least one retainer groove in the surface. The casing half detents engage the cushion edge and the retainer grooves to retain the nipple in the air conduits. There is a movable slide inside the slide seat bore. The slide has a longitudinal inner bore and a number of openings along its length that communicate with the inner bore. The valve is opened by aligning the slide openings with the connector nipples to allow the inflation zones to communicate through the valve slide bore and is closed by moving the slide openings out of alignment with the casing openings to seal off the inflation zones.

Valve for zoned cellular cushion

An improved vehicle seat assembly for mounting on the frame of a vehicle driver's seat including a polymer support plate attached to the frame, a polyurethane foam base on the support, an inflatable air cell cushion on the base and an elastic cover. The inflatable air cell cushion includes individual inflation zones each comprised of individual interconnected inflation cells. The zones are normally isolated from each other. A center zone having a preset inflation pressure is positioned under the ischial area of the driver. Front, back and side bolster zones provide front-to-back and side-to-side support. The individual air cells of the center zone are interconnected by a serpentine airflow path of reduced area to enhance the vibration and shock absorption characteristics of the zone.

Cellular cushion vehicle seat system

Seat cushion

A modular backrest system for a wheelchair is removably attached to backrest posts of the wheelchair. The backrest system includes a back support that provides a surface against which the back of a wheelchair user rests, and a support chassis mounted to the back support for supporting the back support at a desired incline with respect to the posts, and at a desired seat depth with respect to the seat. An attachment assembly is further included that is operably connected to the support chassis at two locations and to the posts to allow the support chassis and back support to be readily removed from or attached to the chair. The particular back support employed in conjunction with the support chassis is based upon the support needs of the wheelchair user. One embodiment of the back support includes a backing plate, and a cushion or insert attached to a forwardly presented face of the backing plate against which the back of the individual rests when sitting on the seat. Another embodiment of the back support includes a plurality of pads adjustably attached to support tubes extending upwardly from the support chassis. Each pad is attached to at least one of the support tubes at a desired location by an elbow joint that permits forward and rearward movement and side-to-side movement of the pad. Each pad is attached to the elbow joint by a ball and socket joint that permits rotational movement of the pad with respect to the second member.

Growing community of inventors

Swansea, IL, United States of America

Dennis L Clapper