Wheel or geriatrics chair cushion

Abstract

A cushioning appliance for supporting patients on wheel, geriatric chairs, or the like. The device includes a generally rectangular air frame, which is defined by a tubular airfilled member which surrounds an open region. A base sheet extends beneath the open region and is secured to the tubular member to define with such member a nesting receptacle for a fluid-containing envelope. The portion of the tubular member which defines the front of the air frame, has a substantially larger cross-section than that of the opposed portion defining the rear side of the frame. In consequence, when a patient is seated upon the appliance, the front-to-rear differential in frame height shifts the weight of the patient rearwardly to aid in stabilization of such patient. The base sheet is preferably secured to the tubular member toward the outer peripheral border thereof. This provides a receiving slot between the lower side of the tubular member and the adjacent portions of the sheet. The envelope may thus have dimensions exceeding that of the open region, so that the peripheral portions of the envelope are received into the said slot. By virtue of this arrangement the envelope may be of sufficient size to enable its separate use. Additionally, the peripheral portions of the envelope are elastically constrained by the slot, to thereby constitute a buffer volume for liquid displaced from the central portion of the envelope in consequence of the patient's sitting upon such central portions, to thereby provide improved cushioning characteristics.