U.S. patent number 3,613,671 [Application Number 04/750,987] was granted by the patent office on 1971-10-19 for inflatable massaging pad for a seat.
Invention is credited to Charles H. Logan, John H. Poor.
United States Patent |
3,613,671 |
Poor , et al. |
October 19, 1971 |
INFLATABLE MASSAGING PAD FOR A SEAT
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: |
Poor; John H. (Laguna Niguel,
CA), Logan; Charles H. (Sherman Oaks, CA) |
Family
ID: |
25019974 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/750,987 |
Filed: |
August 7, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
601/149 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N
2/976 (20180201); A61H 9/0078 (20130101); B60N
2/914 (20180201); A61H 2201/0134 (20130101); A61H
2201/0149 (20130101); A61H 2201/1628 (20130101); A61H
2205/02 (20130101); A61H 2205/081 (20130101); A61H
2205/086 (20130101); A61H 2201/1623 (20130101); A61H
2201/0157 (20130101); A61H 2201/5053 (20130101); A61H
2201/1604 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
23/04 (20060101); A61h 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/24,24.2,33,64 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; L. W.
Claims
We claim:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said base
includes a conduit for housing said tubes.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. An inflatable pad as defined within claim 12 wherein:
a plurality of said cells being held at the same time.
14. 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.
15. 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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an inflatable seat pad and more
particularly to means for producing a translational pressure wave
through the seat pad for massaging parts of the human body for
therapeutic relief.
The use of massage for its therapeutic effect is one of the oldest
of prescribed treatments. Furthermore, medical research has proven
that a rapid, directional massage, moving either toward or away
from the heart, is the most effective method known to move body
fluids. By incorporating this rapid directional stroking action in
a seat pad, a person can remain in a sitting position for extended
periods of time without discomfort or fatigue.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, prior seat pads or body supports have been produced
with inflatable sections to provide added comfort to the seat
occupant. Some of these prior body supports have included means for
producing a pulsating or intermittent surface pressure variation on
the entire body support. A difficulty with these prior seat pads is
that they do not produce a translational pressure wave movement for
a massaging effect but merely produce a pulsating action on the
entire pad, having little or no therapeutic effect.
One such device is exemplified in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,684,672 to
Summerville. This patent discloses a seat pad having a plurality of
adjacent rows of cells with each row being alternately inflated and
deflated. The seat pad is also provided with a control mechanism
for alternately expanding and contracting adjacent rows of cells
and expanding one row of cells while contracting an adjacent row of
cells. However, here again there is no translational pressure wave
movement to move the body fluids but a series of alternately
pulsating rows of cells, which do not produce a rapid directional
massage as preferred.
Another inflatable back support for a seat is shown in the U.S.
Pat. No. 3,326,601 to Vanderbilt et al. This device provides an
inflatable support having spaced air chambers which may be inflated
to provide additional support in the lumbar area of the occupant.
Although these air chambers can be inflated and deflated manually
by the use of valves, there are no means provided to carry out this
operation automatically and continuously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an inflatable massaging pad for a
seat having a fabric cover attached to a pad base; the fabric cover
attached to a pad base; the fabric cover includes a plurality of
spaced parallel pockets for receiving a plurality of inflatable
cells. Each of the cells is alternately inflated and deflated by
means of a compressed air source which communicates with the cells
via air tubes. A distributor is interconnected therebetween to
sequentially distribute the compressed air to the air tubes to
produce a translational pressure wave through the cells. In one
form, the distributor further includes a plate member adapted to
produce a differential in the translational inflation. A padded
headrest is also provided with a plurality of air chambers to
operate in the same manner.
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the invention to
provide an inflatable seat pad having means for producing a
translational pressure wave for massaging parts of the human body
for therapeutic relief.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device
which will produce a body massaging effect more nearly like that
produced by hand massaging.
Another object is to provide an inflatable seat pad which will
enhance the comfort, relaxation and eliminate fatigue for an
individual who must remain in a comparatively unmoving position for
long periods of time.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a seat pad
which is adaptable for installation in an automobile or other
various environments such as in the home or hospital.
Another object is to provide an inflatable headrest operating to
produce a massaging effect.
Another object is to provide a distributor for producing a
differential in the translational inflation.
Various other objects and advantages will appear from the following
description of one embodiment of the invention, and the novel
features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection
with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel inflatable massaging pad
and headrest of the present invention, illustrated as being
installed on a conventional vehicle seat;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the inflatable pad and
headrest showing pressurized air supply and exhaust conduits;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable pad shown in
FIG. 2 as taken in the direction of arrows 3--3 thereof;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the seat portion of the
inflatable pad shown in the direction of arrows 4--4 of FIG. 2 and
illustrating portions thereof broken away to expose underlying
components;
FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the seat portion in
its deflated condition as taken in the direction of arrows 5--5 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the seat portion shown in FIG.
5 as taken in the direction of arrows 6--6 thereof;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 6 illustrating the
seat portion in its inflated condition;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the seat portion as taken in
the direction of arrows 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fabric cover with the parallel
spaced pockets;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pad base for supporting the
enclosed air chambers;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the distributor illustrating the
various mating components thereof;
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the rotor face;
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the stator face; and
FIG. 14 a- f are diagrammatic views of the inflatable pad
illustrating the sequence of inflation in accordance with the
method of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a modified cell construction
utilizing two separate tubes;
FIG. 16 is an end elevational view along line 16--16 of FIG. 15
showing the flexible coupling to the tubes.
FIG. 17 is a vertical section along line 17--17 of FIG. 15.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the illustrated embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the novel
inflatable massaging pad 10 and headrest 11 in accordance with the
present invention, illustrated as being installed on a vehicle seat
12. The seat 12 is of a conventional design having a bottom seat
portion 13 and a back section 14. As shown, the back section 14 can
be made to pivot about a connection 15, if desired. The seat pad 10
also is made in two sections, i.e. the bottom section 16 and the
back section 17. As will be shown later, the two sections 16 and 17
are pivotally attached and the back section 17 is capable of
pivoting in unison with the seat back section 14. The pad 10 is
secured to the seat 12 by bands 18 which are attached beneath the
seat 12. The headrest 11 may be attached to the top of the seat
back section 14 in any conventional manner.
The control mechanism, generally shown at 20, is conveniently
located at the lower right front section of the pad 10. The control
mechanism 20 includes an air control valve 21 for regulating the
amount of air entering the inflatable seat pad 10; an on-off and
reverse switch 22 for starting and stopping the operation of the
device and controlling the translational direction of the pressure
wave, described hereinafter; and an air distributor 23. Electrical
wires 24 lead from the control mechanism 20 to the electrical
source (not shown). The control mechanism 20 may also be built into
the seat 12 with the control panel flush with the seat front.
Extending forward from beneath the seat 12 is a flat rigid housing
25 which enclosed a compressed air conduit 26 and an exhaust
conduit 27. The air and exhaust conduits 26 and 27 are respectively
connected to an air tube 28 and an exhaust tube 29 which leads into
the distributor 23.
The headrest 11 also includes an air control knob 30 for regulating
the amount of air entering the headrest; and an on-off and reverse
switch 31 for controlling the operation of the headrest. A
plurality of air tubes 32, shown in broken lines, lead to the
distributor 23 for communication therewith.
In FIG. 3, the cross-sectional view of the pad 10 includes a base
33 having a bottom section 34 and a back section 35 pivotally
connected thereto. A fabric cover 36 extends completely over the
base 33 and is attached to the ends of the base 33 in a
conventional manner. The fabric cover 36 is made of a plurality of
spaced parallel pockets 37 each of which is adapted to receive an
inflatable cell 38. Each of the inflatable cells 38 is inflatable
and is made of rubber, plastic, or an analogous flexible material.
Three of the cells 38 are shown in their inflated condition while
the rest are shown in their deflated condition.
The headrest 11 also includes a base portion 39 for supporting a
pair of fabric pockets 40 each of which is adapted to receive an
inflatable cell 41.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the fabric cover 36
partially broken away to expose the underlying components. As
shown, the cells 38 are spaced parallel and transversely along the
base 33, with air slots 42 formed in the base 33 between the cells
38. Each cell 38 is closed at one end 38' , while a port 43 is
located at the other end to receive an air tube 44. Each of the air
tubes 44 extends outwardly from a cell 38, into a channel 45 formed
by the base 33. The air tube 44 then forms a right angle and
extends forwardly along its respective channel 45.
FIG. 5 more clearly shows the air tubes 44 being press fitted into
the channels 45 formed in the base 33. The cell 38 is shown as an
elongated tube folded at its midportion where the port 43 is
located, and joined at its closed end in a bonded union. If
preferred, the cell can consist of a pair of stacked tubes with
twin ports located at their ends.
FIG. 6 shows the cell 38 positioned in flat layers while in its
deflated position.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the cell 38 in its inflated position and more
clearly shows an external layer 46 located at the top and bottom
portion of the cell 38 and integrally connected thereto. This layer
46 is semirigid and flat to afford a more comfortable seating
platform while permitting the cell 38 to be more stable.
FIG. 9 shows the fabric cover 36 with the pockets 37 formed
therein. The cover 36 also includes a plurality of flaps 47 which
are folded over the base 33 and secured thereto when the cover 36
is superimposed over the base 33.
FIG. 10 shows the base 33 with the air slots 42 formed thereon to
permit adequate ventilation through the entire pad. The channels
45, not shown, are located in the conduit 48 formed on the right
side of the base 33. Apertures 49 are provided to allow the air
tubes 44 to connect with the chambers 38. As previously described,
the two sections of the base 33 are pivotally connected to permit
the back section to turn in either direction to allow the car seat
to be tilted forward for egress from the back seat of the car, or
to be lowered backward to a reclining position.
FIG. 11 shows the distributor 23 used to allocate the compressed
air to the air tubes 32. A similar distributor is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,741,265 by Poor. The distributor 23 generally comprises
a pair of cooperatively associated plate members, rotor 49 and
stator 50, with an index plate 51 located therebetween. The plate
members 49 and 50 are supported in cooperative relationship for
relative rotative movement with their confronting faces in intimate
contact with the faces of the index plate.
The rotor 49 has an opening 49a surrounded by a boss 49b to receive
bearing 49c on shaft 49d . The shaft also projects through stator
50 and is secured at opening 49e . A spring 49f biases the stator
against the rotor which is restrained by shaft head 49g . The
stator 50 is provided with a plurality of passages 52 opening into
its confronting face and are adapted to register with a plurality
of ports 53 located on the index plate 51. The opposite side of the
stator 50 is connected to a quick-disconnect housing 54 which also
has a plurality of ports 55 registering with the passages 52. A
tube housing 56 is connected to the other side of the housing 54.
The passages 52 are in communication with connecting nipples, now
shown, located within the stator housing, which project from the
opposite side of the stator 50 and provide connecting means for the
air tubes 32, respectively. The air tubes 32, not shown, extend
through the ports 55 of the housing 54, around the tube housing 56,
and to the channels 45 for connection with the cells 38.
As shown in FIG. 12, the rotor 49 has its confronting face provided
with an arcuate feed chamber 57 surrounding the rotor axis and so
positioned as to be in continuous communication with a port opening
58 in the confronting face of the stator 50. The opening 58
connects with a passage 59, see FIG. 13, which externally connects
with a nipple 60 at one side of the stator 50, this nipple 60
providing connecting means to the compressed air conduit 26. A slot
61 communicates with a plurality of port openings 62 which extend
through the rotor 49 and connect the slot with atmosphere.
With the foregoing arrangement, rotation of rotor 49 will
successively move the feed chamber 57 and slot 61 over the passages
52; fluid pressure being supplied to the passages 52 which are in
communication with the feed chamber 57. Those passages 52 which are
in communication with slot 61 are vented to atmosphere.
It will be observed that the length of the slot 61 is such as to be
capable of simultaneous communication with a plurality of passages
52 and, in the arrangement illustrated, the slot 61 is of
sufficient length to extend over all of the passages 52
simultaneously. The width of the feed chamber 57, on the other
hand, is such as to extend over several of the passages 52 at the
same time, and has been shown in the present instance as being of
sufficient width to simultaneously encompass three of the passages
52.
The operation of the device is shown in conjunction with FIGS. 14
a- f. Assuming that during the operation of the device, the feed
chamber 57 is positioned in the large interval between the endmost
passages 52, it will be apparent that as the feed chamber 57 is
moved from this interval, the first passage 52 will be connected to
the fluid pressure supply, and the first cell 38 will be inflated
as shown in FIg. 14 =a .
As relative rotation is continued between the plate members 49 and
50, passages 52 will be successively connected with the feed
chamber 57 in the direction of rotation and successively
disconnected in the opposite direction, but at least one passage 52
will remain connected so as to maintain one of the seat pad
sections connected to the group of passages which are in
communication with the feed chamber 57. Thus, one pad section will
at all times be inflated so as to apply a holding pressure therein.
This holding pressure is constantly maintained, but is translated
or advanced longitudinally along the pad sections, similarly, as
the passages are connected at one end of the feed chamber 57 and
disconnected at the opposite end of slot 61. Thus as the
translational wave continues, three cells will successively be
inflated, as shown in FIGS. 14a to f although the wave will only
travel in one section intervals, all of which are now shown. This
continues until the feed chamber 57 starts moving into the space
interval, at which time the last passages 52 will be successively
disconnected from communication with the feed chamber 57.
Consequently, movement of the feed chamber 57 over the space
interval will form a dwell period, during which there will be no
fluid pressure supplied to the pad cells. At the end of the dwell
period, the cycle will again be repeated. The passages 52, which
are not in communication with the feed chamber 57, will be in
communication with slot 61, and thus vented to the atmosphere.
Finally, it is noted that three of the ports 62 of the index plate
51 are larger than the rest of the ports 53. When the feed chamber
57 is in communication with the ports 62, more fluid is permitted
to enter the air tubes 32 and their respective cells 38, thus
permitting those cells to inflate for a longer period of time to
receive more air. Such an action produces a differential in the
translation volume and pressure of the tubes. The index plate 51 is
relatively rotatable with respect to the plate member 50 and may be
positioned to register the ports 62 with any of the passages 52. If
this feature is not desired, the index plate 51 can be rotated so
that the ports 62 are registered with the space interval between
the passages 52.
In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and
17, a pair of tubes 70 and 71 are placed one above the other in
each pocket 37 (not shown) and each tube has an opening at one end
and is sealed at the other end. The opening for each tube is
connected to one of the passages 44 by a branch of a flexible
coupling 69 so that both tubes 70 and 71 are inflated and deflated
at the same time. The overlying of the tubes provides for a rapid
use of each pocket during inflation of the tubes. The number and
size of the overlapping tubes can be varied to produce the desired
inflation action.
* * * * *