Wheelchair cushion to transfer heat and moisture

Abstract

A cushion adapted to reduce heat and moisture from a wheelchair user's body, including a cushion member having a compressible material that permits air and moisture to flow through the cushion member. The cushion also includes an air and water permeable cover adapted to receive the cushion member. The cover includes an interface member having an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic material, an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic material, and a spacer layer having fibers positioned between, and generally perpendicular to, the outer and inner layers.

1 . A cushion adapted to reduce heat and moisture from a wheelchair user's body, comprising: 
 a cushion member including a compressible material that permits air and moisture to flow through the cushion member; and    an air and water permeable cover adapted to receive the cushion member, the cover including an interface member having: 
 an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic material;  
 an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic material and positioned substantially parallel to the outer layer; and  
 a spacer layer constructed of a compressible hydrophobic material and having fibers positioned between, and generally perpendicular to, the outer and inner layers.  
   
   
   
       2 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the interface member has a varying thickness.  
   
   
       3 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion member has a varying thickness.  
   
   
       4 . The cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is more rigid than the cushion member and cover, to provide stability for a wheelchair user.  
   
   
       5 . The cushion of  claim 4 , wherein the support member includes an aperture to allow air and moisture to flow through the support member.  
   
   
       6 . The cushion of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the support and cushion members have complementary shapes.  
   
   
       7 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer is attached to the outer layer.  
   
   
       8 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer is attached to the inner layer.  
   
   
       9 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the cover further includes an air and moisture permeable backing member attached to the interface member.  
   
   
       10 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is configured to interface with at least one of the wheelchair user's back, arm, head, and leg.  
   
   
       11 . The cushion of  claim 1 , wherein at least one major surface of the cushion is non-planar.  
   
   
       12 . A wheelchair, comprising: 
 a frame;    at least two wheels attached to the frame;    a seat attached to the frame; and    a cushion, positioned with respect to the frame so as to be adjacent to a portion of a wheelchair user's body when the user is sitting in the wheelchair, the cushion including: 
 a cushion member including a compressible material that permits air and moisture flow through the cushion member; and  
 an air and water permeable cover adapted to receive the cushion member and having an air and water permeable interface member.  
   
   
   
       13 . The wheelchair of  claim 12 , wherein the interface member includes: 
 an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic material and extending along at least a substantial portion of a surface of the cover positioned adjacent to the user's body;    an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic material and positioned substantially parallel to the outer layer; and    a spacer layer constructed of a compressible hydrophobic material and having fibers positioned between, and generally perpendicular to, the outer and inner layers.    
   
   
       14 . The wheelchair of  claim 12 , further comprising a support member that is attached to the cushion, wherein the support member is more rigid than the cushion member and cover.  
   
   
       15 . The wheelchair of  claim 12 , wherein the cushion is configured to interface with at least one of the wheelchair user's back, arm, head, and leg.  
   
   
       16 . A method for reducing heat and moisture from a body surface of a wheelchair user seated in a wheelchair, comprising: 
 providing an air and moisture permeable cushion including: 
 a cushion member having a compressible material that permits air and moisture to flow through the cushion member; and  
 a cover adapted to receive the cushion member and engage a portion of the wheelchair user's body; and  
   positioning the cushion between a portion of the wheelchair user's body and the wheelchair.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the cushion further comprises providing an interface member for the portion of the cover engaging a portion of the wheelchair user's body, the interface member having: 
 an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic material;    an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic material and positioned substantially parallel to the outer layer; and    a spacer layer constructed of a compressible hydrophobic material and having fibers positioned between, and generally perpendicular to, the outer and inner layers.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing the cover further comprises attaching the spacer layer to the inner layer and outer layer.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the cushion includes positioning the cushion between the wheelchair user's back and the wheelchair.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the cushion includes positioning the cushion between at least one of the wheelchair user's arm, leg or head and the wheelchair.