US3305878A - Cushion construction - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 28, 1967 H, W, HELLBAUM y 3,305,878

CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed March 2, 1964 Fnsi WIWI/lll A1..

INVENTOR.

Halcyon Woodward Hellbaum 3,365,878 CUSHION CONSTRUCTION vHalcyon W. Heilhaum, 1713 3rd SW. Ardmore, kla. 73401 Filed Mar. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 348,585 1 Claim. (Cl. 5-9I) This invention relates to a unique cushion construction, which affords unprecedented support to the user entirely different from usual cushion design, resulting in advantages particularly suited for individuals suffering from a large number of ailments. In particular, this design and construction makes possible increased cornfort for individuals suffering from perineal distress, prostate troubles, hemorrhoids, fistulas, painful coccyX and other rectal pain. The construction also provides special advantages for those who would benefit by increased sitting comfort for long car, truck, train, bus, boat, tractor and airplanerides.

It is one object of .this invention to provide a cushion construction which is particular-ly suitable for individuals suffering from a variety of ailments of the type noted above.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a cushion construction of the type described which will permit individuals suffering from such ailments, as well as others without particular perineal ailments, to remain seated for extended periods without undue discomfort.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a cushion construction for use in the manner described which is portable in nature and which can be carried without being conspicuous whereby the individual can employ the cushion construction wherever he may go.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a cushion construction characterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cushion construction;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the cushion construction as it appears when folded for portability;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view illustrating a modied design of the construction of this invention; and,

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one section of the construction shown in FIGURE 4.

The cushion construction of this invention generally comprises outer sections which are formed of a firm material whereby the individual employing the construction will be supported. An intermediate section of the construction is formed of a soft resilient material so that the construction will not offer annoying resistance when the individual is using the construction. T he sections of the construction are interconnected by means which permit folding of the construction. Handle means are prefera- -bly employed so that the folded construction can be carried with ease. Finally, the construction is preferably uniformly upholstered so that it will present an inconspicuous appearance when employed.

The cushion is constructed with a handle at the end which permits the cushion to be carried fiat or folded. The handle may also serve the function of supporting and preventing spread of the outer portions.

The purpose of the continuous supporting fabric of interconnecting webbing comprising the bottom of the cushion is for the purpose of retaining the three sections as a unit while at the same time permitting independent action. The cushion Would lose its beneficial effect if there also was continuo-us connecting upholstery of fabric United States Patent C) 3,395,878 Fatented Feb. 28, 1967 across the top. In this case, where one would sit on the cushion, the fabric across the top of the center section would become taut, and thereby lose the property of softness and resiliency.

The construction illustrated also has the distinct advantage of portability. Thus, the sections can Ibe folded relative to each other and the handle can be used for carrying the construction. When so carried, the construction will not be particularly conspicuous since it will be relatively small in size. Accordingly, an individual using the cushion can take it to athletic events, or to any place where sitting is required and where the available seating would otherwise be uncomfortable or intolerable.

The cushion construction 10 shown in the accompanying drawing comprises a pair of outer sections 12 and an intermediate section 14. These sections are interconnected =by means of web portions 16 whereby the sections are held together as a unit.

The sections I2 comprise an outer upholstery covering 1S and a main body portion 20. The portion 20 must be of firm material and felted cotton, curled hair, plastic foam or other rm material can be employed for this purpose. The intermediate section 14 also includes an upholstery covering 21 and a main body portion 22. The portion 22 is preferably formed of a plastic foam material which Will offer little, if any, resistance when an individual sits on the construction. In this connection, it will be noted that the outer sections 12 will support substantially the entire Weight of the individual. Since a resilient material is employed for the section 14, any depression of this section will be immediately restored when the cushion is not in use. Accordingly, the outward appearance of the construction will very nearly simulate that of a conventional cushion. For this reason, ordinary cushion upholstery can be provided although other covering materials are also contemplated.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the use of the construction wherein a handle 28 is employed for carrying the construction. It will be appreciated that other handle arrangements could be employed in the commercial unit. In one such arrangement, the handle can be provided with a buckle to permit variations in the distance Vbetween sections.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of the invention wherein the outer sections 30 of the construction define curved edges. The intermediate section 32 is substantially thinner whereby little or no `resistance or irritation will be provided by the construction.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a preferred arrangement of materials in the interior of a section 30. The core 34 of this section is formed of curled hair which is of a compact nature and which provides the firm support desired of this section. A sur-rounding portion 36 of the section 30 is formed of a resilient sponge or similar material to provide a relatively soft contacting surface. The cornybination of this material with the rm core section 34 provides comfort with-out sacrificing support.

The unique construction embodied in the design of this invention 4re-allocates distribution of the fbody weight by causing most of the weight to be supported by the hips and lateral portions lof the pelivic bones and muscles, rather than having much of the weight of the body supported lby the coccyx or tailbone, as is the case with cushion constructions now manufactured. This construction changes the distribution of weight when sitting; and greatly reduces road shock being transmitted to the backbone, when driving, as well as reducing shock on the back while sitting for long periods.

In another use of the cushion, support can be provided for two sides of the body and to reduce the pressure of a seat against the backbone. This can be accomplished by leaning the construction against the back of a `seat whereby the construction is maintained in a substantially upright position. This support of the middle or central part of the body (between the shoulders and hips) has been found to greatly reduce fatigue when driving, especially when driving trains or trucks with ltheir heavy weight and relatively firm seat construction.

It will -be appreciated that there has been described a cushion construction formed of three separate portions but which appears as a single portion. The portions which characterize the construction run the entire length thereof so that the individual can sit in any position from front to back and still receive support from |the outer sections. The construction of this invention is capable of assuming an appearance corresponding to the upholstered appearance of a conventional cushion. Furthermore, the portable features thereof permit the use of the construction in various places without attracting attention.

it Will be understood that Various changes and modifications can be made in the described construction which provide the characteristics -o this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as deiined in the following claim.

That which is claimed is:

A cushion construction comprising a pair of iirin outer sections adapted to essentially retain their shape when an individual sits on the cushion, said outer sections being formed of a material selected from the group consisting yof felted cotton, curled hair, plastic and combinations thereof and having an upholstery cover, an intermediate section consisting essentially of a resilient foam material having an upholstery cover and normally dening top and bottom surfaces substantially coextensive with said outer sections, said intermediate section being adapted to offer negligible resistance when an individual sits on the cushion, and means interconnecting said sections whereby they can be folded relative to each other, and wherein said upholstery covers are interconnected b-y means of web portions7 said web portions providing joints permitting7 folding of said sections, and wherein said web portions are formed by a continuous fabric portion extending across `one ace ofthe construction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,519 7/1904 Sperry 5-341 1,385,355 7/1921 Banks 5-338 1,457,203 5/1923 Wick 5-341 X 2,336,707 12/1943 Thompson 5-338 2,562,725 7/1951 Leto et al 5--338 2,765,480 lO/ 1956 Mueller 5-338 2,831,532 4/1958 Kasper 5-337 X 2,877,472 3/1959 Wagner 5--337 FOREIGN PATENTS 803,936 11/1958 Great Britain. 805,419 12/1958 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner.

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