Eureka AIR delivers breakthrough ideas for toughest innovation challenges, trusted by R&D personnel around the world.

Cushioned apparatus

a technology of cushioning apparatus and buckling column, which is applied in the direction of resiliently-mounted floors, mattresses, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problem that the concept of using buckling columns in the cushioning device is not new, and achieve the effect of effectively eliminating pressure points and improving cushioning

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-10-13
MCCANN BARRY +1
View PDF20 Cites 89 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention relates to cushioning apparatus having a plurality of intersecting columns, the column being formed from a thermoplastic, silicone, two-part, or other gel material. The cushioning apparatus are extremely strong and durable yet provide an improved cushioning apparatus. The intersecting columnar configuration of the cushioning apparatus allow for weight to be shared with neighboring column walls. When force is exerted on the columns, the column walls are designed to buckle in the areas of greatest pressure. The column buckling diffuses energy from the areas of highest pressure effectively eliminating pressure points. As the polymer gel collapses within the column walls, the column walls essentially collapse at least partially in a lateral direction allowing pressure to flow away from the areas of greatest pressure to areas of lesser pressure. This provides an improved cushioning surface on which a user can sit, sleep, or other types of cushioning can be provided.
[0008] The cushioning apparatus of the present invention is utilized without additional cushioning structures formed from foam, gels, or other types of cushioning materials contacting, overlaying, or being utilized with the cushioning apparatus. The addition of foam, gels, or other cushioning materials over and / or under the cushioning apparatus can reduce the benefits provided by the column buckling of the novel cushioning apparatus of the present invention. A cushioning surface may be provided on the top of the cushioning apparatus. The cushioning surface allows a user or a surface upon which the cushioning apparatus may be placed to come in contact with the cushioning apparatus. When a predetermined amount of pressure is exerted on the cushioning surface, the intersecting columns of the cushioning member are designed to buckle to provide relief from the pressure exerted on the cushioning apparatus.
[0009] The cushioning apparatus may also be used in the absence of constraining belts, molds, forms, or other apparatuses that would prevent outward movement or buckling of side walls. This allows the cushioning apparatus to move freely and provide sheer relief in the lateral direction even at the edge surfaces of the cushioning apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

The concept of using buckling columns in cushioning devices is not new.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Cushioned apparatus
  • Cushioned apparatus
  • Cushioned apparatus

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0026] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be modified, arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the systems and methods of the present invention, as represented in the Examples and FIGS. 1 through 8, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is as broad as claimed herein.

[0027] The present invention related to cushioning apparatus having a plurality of intersecting columns, the column being formed from a thermoplastic, silicone, two-part, or other gel material. The cushioning apparatus are extremely strong and durable yet provide an improved cushioning apparatus. The intersecting columnar configuration of the cushioning apparatus allow for weight to be shared with neighboring column walls. When force is exerted on the columns, the column walls...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

The present invention relates to cushioning apparatus having a plurality of intersecting columns, the columns being formed from a thermoplastic, silicone, two-part, or other gel material. The cushioning apparatus are extremely strong and durable yet provide an improved cushioning apparatus. The intersecting columnar configuration of the cushioning apparatus allow for weight to be shared with neighboring column walls. When force is exerted on the columns, the column walls are designed to buckle in the areas of greatest pressure. The column buckling diffuses energy from the areas of highest pressure effectively eliminating pressure points. As the polymer gel collapses within the column walls, the column walls essentially collapse at least partially in a lateral direction allowing pressure to flow away from the areas of greatest pressure to areas of lesser pressure. This provides an improved cushioning surface on which a user can sit, sleep, or other types of cushioning can be provided.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 547,824, filed Feb. 25, 2004, and entitled “CUSHIONED APPARATUS,” which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. The Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to cushioning members having a plurality of intersecting columns, the columns being formed from a thermoplastic, silicone, two-part, or other gel material. The cushioning apparatus are extremely strong and durable yet provide an improved cushioning apparatus. The intersecting columnar configuration of the cushioning apparatus allow for weight to be shared with neighboring column walls. [0004] 2. Brief Description of the Art [0005] The concept of using buckling columns in cushioning devices is not new. Products made with buckling columns have been in existence since at least as early as January of 1997. One of the earliest examples of a product utilizing buckling columns would include a seat cu...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): A47C27/08A47C27/18B61G9/12
CPCA47C27/085A47C27/144A47C27/146A47C27/15
Inventor MCCANN, BARRYFORD, RODNEY B.
Owner MCCANN BARRY
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Eureka Blog
Learn More
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic, Popular Technical Reports.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap|About US| Contact US: help@patsnap.com