摘要:
A seat assembly (21) for a wheelchair including a relatively rigid seat base (12) of substantially uniform thickness with an upwardly facing contoured top surface (14) and a cushion assembly mounted on the seat base. The cushion assembly includes a relatively soft foam member (30) substantially covering the seat base (12) for localized deformation of the foam member and for communication of the influence of contours on the seat base (12) through the foam member (30) to the user. In the preferred form, a flexible pouch (40) having a viscous fluid-like material contained therein is positioned in a recess (38) in the foam member (30) in the area of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx, and a water-impervious, flexible elastomeric envelope (50) completely surrounds the foam member (30) and the fluid-containing pouch (40). The fluid pouch (40) has a size greater than the plan area of recess (38) in the foam member (30) and is placed in a semi-collapsed condition in the recess so as to be displaceable without hammocking. Additionally, elastomeric envelope (50) has a sheet area greater than the area of the semi-collapsed fluid pouch (40) to ensure that the envelope (50) does not hammock under the user's weight. Finally, a hydrophobic cover (60) can be mounted over the cushion assembly and to the seat base (12). A method of supporting a user on a wheelchair seat assembly is also disclosed.
摘要:
A seat assembly (21) for a wheelchair including a relatively rigid seat base (12) of substantially uniform thickness with an upwardly facing contoured top surface (14) and a cushion assembly mounted on the seat base. The cushion assembly includes a relatively soft foam member (30) substantially covering the seat base (12) for localized deformation of the foam member and for communication of the influence of contours on the seat base (12) through the foam member (30) to the user. In the preferred form, a flexible pouch (40) having a viscous fluid-like material contained therein is positioned in a recess (38) in the foam member (30) in the area of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx, and a water-impervious, flexible elastomeric envelope (50) completely surrounds the foam member (30) and the fluid-containing pouch (40). The fluid pouch (40) has a size greater than the plan area of recess (38) in the foam member (30) and is placed in a semi-collapsed condition in the recess so as to be displaceable without hammocking. Additionally, elastomeric envelope (50) has a sheet area greater than the area of the semi-collapsed fluid pouch (40) to ensure that the envelope (50) does not hammock under the user's weight. Finally, a hydrophobic cover (60) can be mounted over the cushion assembly and to the seat base (12). A method of supporting a user on a wheelchair seat assembly is also disclosed.
摘要:
A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers. Similarly, the normal pressures and forces are reduced and controlled in a number of manners including oversizing, modifying the configuration, filling, and size of the discrete fluid pouches of the fluid bladder layer, and varying the spring characteristics of the support columns in the underlying foam layer by hollowing them out to differing degrees, adjusting their spacing, and selectively tying adjacent columns together.
摘要:
A seating system primarily intended for use with wheelchairs. The seating system includes a relatively rigid, shaped tray and a fluid pad. The tray has a forward section to support the user's thighs and a rearward section with a depressed, contoured seating well to support the user's buttocks including his ischial tuberosities. The seating well includes a bottom portion and a U-shaped rim portion extending about it. The fluid pad contains a fixed volume of incompressible fluid and is provided and dimensioned to be bunched up and received in the seating well of the tray. The seating system also includes a self-adjusting feature to automatically and properly fit a user based on his weight. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiments by adding a layer of resilient, compressible foam over the upper surface of the rim portion of the seating well between the fluid pad and the rim portion. The foam is dimensioned and chosen to selectively occupy varying amounts of the volume of the seating well (i.e., creating an effective seating well volume) in proportion to the weight of the user. In all embodiments, the resulting seating system automatically modifies the effective seating well volume of the tray in proportion to the user's weight for a safe and proper fit for all users including both light and heavier ones.
摘要:
A seating system for wheelchairs and other applications. The seating system includes a base member with an upper surface and a fluid pad positioned on the upper surface. The upper surface is preferably contoured and dimensioned to have areas corresponding to the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx as well as the user's femurs including trochanters. The fluid pad in the preferred embodiment is one piece and has at least three separate and distinct pouches filled with fluid. Each pouch includes seals to contain the fluid in each pouch and to isolate and prevent fluid communication with the fluid in the other two pouches. Each pouch of the pad is then respectively positioned on the upper surface of the base member under the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx. In this manner, each of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx is thereby supported on its own separate and distinct fluid pouch.
摘要:
A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers. Similarly, the normal pressures and forces are reduced and controlled in a number of manners including oversizing, modifying the configuration, filling, and size of the discrete fluid pouches of the fluid bladder layer, and varying the spring characteristics of the support columns in the underlying foam layer by hollowing them out to differing degrees, adjusting their spacing, and selectively tying adjacent columns together.
摘要:
A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers. Similarly, the normal pressures and forces are reduced and controlled in a number of manners including oversizing, modifying the configuration, filling, and size of the discrete fluid pouches of the fluid bladder layer, and varying the spring characteristics of the support columns in the underlying foam layer by hollowing them out to differing degrees, adjusting their spacing, and selectively tying adjacent columns together.
摘要:
A mattress pad primarily intended for use with a standard hospital bed frame to reduce the development of decubitus ulcers or bed sores in patients using the pad. The pad is multi-layered and includes a cover or casing containing interior strata of a plastic film layer atop a fluid bladder layer supported on an underlying layer of foam. The pad is specially designed to reduce lateral and normal pressures and forces on the patient which can lead to the development of such ulcers. The reduction of the lateral shearing forces is accomplished in a number of ways including by oversizing the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer on the underlying layer of foam and by positioning microbeads between the plastic film layer and fluid bladder layer to dramatically reduce the frictional drag or lateral shearing forces between the layers. Similarly, the normal pressures and forces are reduced and controlled in a number of manners including oversizing, modifying the configuration, filling, and size of the discrete fluid pouches of the fluid bladder layer, and varying the spring characteristics of the support columns in the underlying foam layer by hollowing them out to differing degrees, adjusting their spacing, and selectively tying adjacent columns together.
摘要:
A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent ends of conduits, primarily used for aircraft fuel lines having redundant locking features is provided. This coupling can be manipulated with one hand and includes a central tine and laterally spaced locking tines which engage a mating channel for locking the coupling in secured relationship. Indicia is provided across the locking tines which is not visible when the coupling assembly is completely and securely closed. The coupling assembly can be manipulated with one hand and has viewing ports to be sure that all parts are in place. Also, the tines and guide members are configured to create a force between the two with a longitudinal component tending to open the assembly.
摘要:
A pressure compensating padding device comprising a flexible envelope and a deformable composition within said envelope, wherein said composition deforms in response to continuously applied pressure; but tends to maintain its shape and position in the absence of applied pressure; said composition comprising a fluid formed from a mixture of an oil and a thickener, wherein said composition maintains its fluid characteristic.