Roho, Inc.

Paul A Rickman

Dennis L Clapper

Robert Klotz

Robert W Graebe

Anthony Eric Sprouse, Ii

David K Parsons

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

Helmet liner

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

A valve for use with an inflatable cushion having individual inflation zones including a casing with an internal bore and a plurality of openings along the length of the casing connected to the individual inflation zones by air conduits and a movable slide within the casing bore. The slide has a number of openings along the its length that communicate with an inner bore. The valve is opened by aligning the slide openings with the casing openings 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.

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Belleville, IL, United States of America

Paul A Rickman