GB2052965A - Cushions - Google Patents

Abstract

A shaped contoured cushion comprises a block of a resiliently deformable material, the block having a well 2 in its upper surface and an upstanding wall 7 extending about a major portion of the periphery of the block. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cushions The present invention concerns a contoured cushion.

The aim of the invention is to provide a shaped, contoured cushion which will assist and alleviate sufferers from backache and the like ailments. Although not restricted in its manner of use, the cushion is particularly suited for use by occupants of vehicles and is designed to provide stabilisation against roll and centrifugal force as well as absorbing shocks and jolts.

According to the present invention there is provided a contoured cushion formed from a resiliently deformable material, the cushion having a well in its upper surface and a wall extending about the side and rear edges of the upper surface. The height of the wall at the rear edge can exceed the height of the wall at the side edges.

An upstanding rib can be formed on the upper surface to divide the region between the side walls into two substantially equal channels.

The cushion can be formed and shaped from a unitary block or slab of resiliently deformable material, a suitable material hav ing a closed cellular structure. As example only, the material can be that known and marketed under the trade name "Dunlopillo".

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accom panying diagrammatic drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a cushion, not to scale; Figure 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 1.

The illustrated cushion is shaped and con toured from a block of resiliently deformable material which is capable of deforming to accomodate the weight of a user and which can revert to its initial shape when the user vacates the cushion.

The cushion comprises a base 1 with a well 2 formed in its upper surface 3 and adjacent the rear edge of the base. The region of the upper surface 3 between the well 2 and the front edge 4 of the cushion is divided into two substantially equal channels by an upstanding rib 5. The rib 5 is tapered, decreasing in width from the front edge 4 to its end adjacent the well 2. The well 2 is shaped as two part circular portions to resemble a figure eight configuration, and the well 2 extends in a V to the adjacent end of the rib 5. The walls of the well 2 and the V portion are chamfered as indicated by reference numeral 6. Likewise the front edge 4 is chamfered as indicated by reference numeral 7'.

Each side edge of the base is bounded by a wall 7 which is tapered in a direction opposite to the taper on the rib 5. The walls 7 extend from the front edge 4 to adjacent the well 2.

The walls can continue at the same height around the rear edge of the base. Preferably however, and as shown, the wall increases in height in passing around the rear edge from each side edge reaching a maximum height over a central region of the rear edge.

In use, the cushion is placed on a chair or seat, for example a car seat. The nature of the material of the cushion is such that it will tend to remain in place and will not slide off during use. The user sits on the cushion with the buttocks in the well and the thighs in the channels between the rib and the side walls.

The arrangement is such as to provide a comfortable, stable support for the user. The height of the side walls and rib can be about + inch above the upper surface and the depth of the well can be the same. This is sufficient for the stated purpose and the increased height at the rear edge can engage and provide a support at the bottom of the back of the user.

1. A contoured cushion comprising a block of a resiliently deformable material, the block having a well in its upper surface and an upstanding wall extending about a major portion of the periphery of the block.

2. A cushion as claimed in claim 1 in which the block is substantially rectangular in plan with the wall extending about the side and rear edges of the block.

3. A cushion as claimed in claim 2 in which the height of the wall at the rear edge exceeds the height of the wall at the side edges.

4. A cushion as claimed in claim 2 or 3 including an upstanding rib on the upper surface to divide the region between the side walls into two substantially equal portions.

5. A cushion as claimed in any preceding claim in which the well is shaped as two cojoined part circular portions to resemble a figure eight configuration.

6. A cushion as claimed in claim 5 in which the well is disposed towards the rear wall of the block.

7. A contoured cushion substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompany drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cushions The present invention concerns a contoured cushion. The aim of the invention is to provide a shaped, contoured cushion which will assist and alleviate sufferers from backache and the like ailments. Although not restricted in its manner of use, the cushion is particularly suited for use by occupants of vehicles and is designed to provide stabilisation against roll and centrifugal force as well as absorbing shocks and jolts. According to the present invention there is provided a contoured cushion formed from a resiliently deformable material, the cushion having a well in its upper surface and a wall extending about the side and rear edges of the upper surface. The height of the wall at the rear edge can exceed the height of the wall at the side edges. An upstanding rib can be formed on the upper surface to divide the region between the side walls into two substantially equal channels. The cushion can be formed and shaped from a unitary block or slab of resiliently deformable material, a suitable material hav ing a closed cellular structure. As example only, the material can be that known and marketed under the trade name "Dunlopillo". The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accom panying diagrammatic drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a cushion, not to scale; Figure 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 1. The illustrated cushion is shaped and con toured from a block of resiliently deformable material which is capable of deforming to accomodate the weight of a user and which can revert to its initial shape when the user vacates the cushion. The cushion comprises a base 1 with a well 2 formed in its upper surface 3 and adjacent the rear edge of the base. The region of the upper surface 3 between the well 2 and the front edge 4 of the cushion is divided into two substantially equal channels by an upstanding rib 5. The rib 5 is tapered, decreasing in width from the front edge 4 to its end adjacent the well 2. The well 2 is shaped as two part circular portions to resemble a figure eight configuration, and the well 2 extends in a V to the adjacent end of the rib 5. The walls of the well 2 and the V portion are chamfered as indicated by reference numeral 6. Likewise the front edge 4 is chamfered as indicated by reference numeral 7'. Each side edge of the base is bounded by a wall 7 which is tapered in a direction opposite to the taper on the rib 5. The walls 7 extend from the front edge 4 to adjacent the well 2. The walls can continue at the same height around the rear edge of the base. Preferably however, and as shown, the wall increases in height in passing around the rear edge from each side edge reaching a maximum height over a central region of the rear edge. In use, the cushion is placed on a chair or seat, for example a car seat. The nature of the material of the cushion is such that it will tend to remain in place and will not slide off during use. The user sits on the cushion with the buttocks in the well and the thighs in the channels between the rib and the side walls. The arrangement is such as to provide a comfortable, stable support for the user. The height of the side walls and rib can be about + inch above the upper surface and the depth of the well can be the same. This is sufficient for the stated purpose and the increased height at the rear edge can engage and provide a support at the bottom of the back of the user. CLAIMS

1. A contoured cushion comprising a block of a resiliently deformable material, the block having a well in its upper surface and an upstanding wall extending about a major portion of the periphery of the block.

2. A cushion as claimed in claim 1 in which the block is substantially rectangular in plan with the wall extending about the side and rear edges of the block.

3. A cushion as claimed in claim 2 in which the height of the wall at the rear edge exceeds the height of the wall at the side edges.

4. A cushion as claimed in claim 2 or 3 including an upstanding rib on the upper surface to divide the region between the side walls into two substantially equal portions.

5. A cushion as claimed in any preceding claim in which the well is shaped as two cojoined part circular portions to resemble a figure eight configuration.

6. A cushion as claimed in claim 5 in which the well is disposed towards the rear wall of the block.

7. A contoured cushion substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompany drawings.