US2307331A - Cushion - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 5, 1943.

H. c. PARKER, JR

CUSHION Filed June 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

Inventor r/erf 6260/ inf Fa r/re J A Home Jan. 5, 1943. H, 3. PARKER, JR 2,301,331

CUSHION Filed June 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor W /J a hyrf'aaa/z nfi/vrey/fr A Howey Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES '1' OFFICE This invention relates broadly to cushions, and more particularly to seat cushions.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a healthy, less tiring, and more efficient type of cushion for the seat and back of automobile seats, chairs and the like, and to that end the cushions are of such a shape and design as to follow very closely the principles of posture seating.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing in side elevation a seat and back cushion assembled on an automobile seat, shown by broken lines, and illustrating the application of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the cushion assembly.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the back cushion illustrating certain features hereinafter more fully referred to, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tape forming part of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that 5 indicates generally a seat cushion embodying the features of the present invention.

The cushion 5 may be formed of any suitable material and may be of any suitable dimensions, and in practice it will be found feasible to make the cushion in a form consisting of an outer casing of molded Laytex or sponge rubber with a filling of mohair or other suitable material.

A salient feature of the seat is, however, the shaping of the same so that the bottom 6 thereof will be of greater dimensions than the top I with the edge 8 inclined at an angle to the perpendicular and sloping towards the bottom of the seat as shown.

A further feature of the seat 5 is to have the same of greater dimensions longitudinally than transversely with the edge of the seat at opposite sides of the intermediate portion 8 tapering as at 9 towards the respective opposite ends of the seat as shown.

By having the edges 9 angling from the front to the opposite ends of the seat, and rearwardly, there is given to the under part of the thighs freedom of blood circulation, regardless of the position of the legs of the user.

Another salient feature of the cushion 5 is that I at the rear edge thereof, and intermediate the opposite end edges, the seat is provided with an indentation III that forms at the back of the seat a well, the provision of which serves to relieve pressure at the base of the spine, the well or recess I0 being in a region as to substantially align with the spinal column of the party using the seat.

With regard to dimensions and thickness of the seat 5, such, in the contemplation of the present invention, is as to allow maximum comfort in that, as isbelieved to be apparent, with a seat having the features just enumerated, the sit bones have the full thickness of the cushion 5 for support.

Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided a cushion I I for the back.

Generally speaking the cushion I I is so designed as to give maximum support to the lumbar region of the spine, relieving backache and allowing the inner organs of the body such as the lungs, stomach, intestines, etc. to function in a normal uncramped position. Also, the shape and structure of the cushion I I is such as to assist in straightening the spine since the cushion tends to throw the weight properly on the sit bones and not on the base of the spine. To that end the cushion I I comprises a substantially oblong cushion body which may consist of an outer casing having a filler therein, the casing being preferably of the same material as the casing of the seat cushion 5, and the filler being also of the same type of material as may be employed as a filler for the seat cushion 5.

A very salient feature of the back cushion II is that at its respective opposite ends the rear wall or face of the cushion is offset inwardly towards the front of the cushion from the plane of the rear face of the cushion as shown at l2-I 2.

By having the rear of the cushion so ofiset as I2-I2, sufficient clearance is provided between the opposite ends of the cushion II and the back of the chair, automobile seat, or the like, upon which it may be positioned. This structure is especially necessary where the back cushion is used on soft automobile seats if a proper relief of pressure on the kidney section is to be obtained.

In actual practice the cushion II may be positioned vertically with respect to the cushion 5 to the extent desired and supported in any suitable manner in reference to the cushion 5.

In the present instance, I have shown for supporting the back cushion I I in proper relation to the seat cushion 5 a pair of flexible tapes I3--I3 of cloth, leather or the like.

To accommodate the tapes !3, the cushion H, at the back thereof and in the region of the offsets l2-l2 thereof, has secured thereto pairs of loops l5 arranged in vertical alignment, and through which the tapes l3 are trained as shown.

At one end thereof the tapes l3 may be secured to the under or bottom side of the cushion 5, or be merely positioned thereunder to hold said ends of the tapes in place, while at the respective opposite ends thereof the tapes l3 are equipped for engagement over the edge of the back of the chair, or other article of furniture upon which the cushions are being used.

In the present instance, I have shown the tapes l3--|3 provided with hooks l6 of any rigid material that engage over the back-rest I! of the automobile seat [8 shown by broken lines in Figure 1.

If desired, and to secure the cushion ll against shifting movement lengthwise of the tape I3, said tapes l3, and the respective loops 15 are provided with complemental fastening elements, such as suggested generally in Figure 5 and indicated by the reference numeral [8.

These fastening elements may be in the form of headed studs and complemental sockets, or be of any type of well-known separable, or twopart fasteners suitable for the purpose.

It will also be understood that while I have shown the free ends of the tapes I3 equipped with hooks I6, that other suitable means may be substituted therefor for securing the upper ends of the tapes to the backs of ofiice chairs or other types of seats.

From the above it will be seen that I have designed cushions for the seat and back which will follow very closely the principle of posture seating as has already been found a proven asset to health and efficiency of persons required to be seated over an extended period of time, such as taxicab drivers, office workers such as typists, and others similarly employed.

It is believed that the invention, together with its many advantages, will be clearly understood and appreciated without further detailed description.

While I have herein illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is also to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of construction, combination and arrangement of elements as herein illustrated, since I am fully aware that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art and engaged in the use of the cushions.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A cushion assembly for use on automobile seats comprising a seat member of greater dimension from side to side than from front to rear, said member being substantially flat on its top and bottom and having a continuous beveled edge inclining upwardly and inwardly to the top, said member having parallel sides, a front edge portion parallel with the back edge, and edge portions converging forwardly from the sides to said front portion whereby said member is provided with a front part for straddling by the legs to reduce pressure against the thighs.

2. A cushion assembly for use on automobile seats comprising a seat member of greater dimension from side to side than from front torear, said member being substantially flat on its top and bottom and having a continuous beveled edge inclining upwardly and inwardly to the top, said member having parallel sides, a front edge portion parallel with the back edge, and edge portions converging forwardly from the sides to said front portion whereby said member is provided with a front part for straddling by the legs to reduce pressure against the thighs, the top having in its rear edge a central well for relieving pressure at the base of the spine.

3. A cushion assembly for use on automobile seats comprising a seat member of greater dimension from side to side than from front to rear, said member being substantially flat on its top and bottom and having a continuous beveled edge inclining upwardly and inwardly to the top, said member having parallel sides, a front edge portion parallel with the back edge, and edge portions converging forwardly from the sides to said front portion whereby said member is provided with a front part for straddling by the legs to reduce pressure against the thighs, a back memher having forwardly flaring side edges for imparting flexibility to the same, and means connecting said members together in spaced-apart relation and hangers on said means for suspending the same and said back member from the top edge of an automobile seat.

I HERBERT CASSIUS PARKER, .naf

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