초록 ▼

A seating system is designed for self-adjusting pressure relief for use with wheelchairs and other generally confined seating arrangements. One or more support chambers filled with resilient foam and a fluid such as air are arranged on an upper support surface. A self-adjusting reservoir is provided

A seating system is designed for self-adjusting pressure relief for use with wheelchairs and other generally confined seating arrangements. One or more support chambers filled with resilient foam and a fluid such as air are arranged on an upper support surface. A self-adjusting reservoir is provided and arranged in fluid communication with the chamber. A constant force spring cooperates with a pivoting plate arrangement and acts on the reservoir so as to balance fluid pressure between the reservoir and the support chamber with a patient received thereon. In some embodiments, three fluid/resilient foam chambers may be provided for independent operation with three respective adjustable reservoirs. In other embodiments, fluid filled chambers may be operatively associated with respective reservoirs and pivoting actuation plates specially adapted to fit below a wheelchair seat without interfering with the wheelchair support structure, or specially adapted to be carried in a pack on the wheelchair seat back. Present arrangements may be modified for use with other seating conditions, such as geriatric chairs and seats for vehicles of all types.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [14.] A self-adjusting pressure relief patient seating support system for use with a wheelchair, comprising:a main support body for receiving a patient generally seated thereon and having at least two adjustable fluid support bladders with fluid therein; anda pair of constant

[ What is claimed is:] [14.] A self-adjusting pressure relief patient seating support system for use with a wheelchair, comprising:a main support body for receiving a patient generally seated thereon and having at least two adjustable fluid support bladders with fluid therein; anda pair of constant force fluid reservoir means mounted below said main support body, in respective fluid communication with said fluid support bladders, for automatically adjusting said bladders using potential energy so as to maintain a generally constant predetermined internal pressure respectively in each of said bladders responsive to changing patient loading on said main support body; andwherein said pair of constant force fluid reservoir means each include a reservoir and pivoting actuation plate functionally operative therewith, with such plate being adapted for pivoting from adjacent a lateral side of a wheelchair so that the pivoting free ends of such plates may be situated towards the middle of a wheelchair beneath said main support body so as to not interfere with structural supports of a wheelchair with which said patient seating support system is used.