Zoned cellular cushion with fail safe inflation zones

Abstract

A pattern of airflow pathways among inflatable air cells in an inflatable air cell cushion that result in discrete, isolated inflation zones that allow the optimal immersion depth and support of a seated,user when fully inflated and maintain acceptable immersion depth and support of the seated user in the event of an air leak from one of the inflation zones. The airflow pathways are operably connected to a valve wherein opening of the valve places the normally isolated inflation zones in fluid communication and closing of the valve isolates the inflation zones.

1 . An inflatable cellular cushion for the support of a seated user, comprising: 
 a base having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    an array of individual upstanding inflatable air cells on said base, said array of air cells arranged in rows and forming a supportive seating area;    a plurality of air conduits, each said air conduit being in fluid communication with a separate group of said individual cells to form a first substantially rectangular centrally positioned inflation zone, a second inflation zone positioned substantially surrounding said centrally positioned inflation zone on three sides, a third inflation zone extending along one side of the second inflation zone, and a fourth inflation zone extending along an opposite side of the second inflation zone; and    a valve in fluid communication with said plurality of air conduits, said valve capable of being manipulated from an open position wherein all of the recited inflation zones are in fluid communication through the valve, to a closed position wherein the recited inflation zones are out of fluid communication with each other.    
   
   
       2 . In an inflatable cellular cushion having a base and an array of individual upstanding inflatable air cells arranged in rows across the base, a pattern of air flow pathways among the inflatable air cells, said pattern of air flow pathways creating at least two normally isolated inflation zones that maintain optimal positioning of a user seated on the cellular cushion when the inflation zones are inflated and also maintain adequate positioning of the user seated on the cellular cushion if at least one of the at least two inflation zones deflates.  
   
   
       3 . The pattern of air flow pathways of  claim 2  wherein the air flow pathways create three normally isolated inflation zones.  
   
   
       4 . The pattern of air flow pathways of  claim 2  wherein the air flow pathways create four normally isolated inflation zones.  
   
   
       5 . An inflatable cellular cushion for the support of a seated user, comprising: 
 a base;    an array of individual inflatable air cells on said base;    at least two air conduits, each of said air conduits interconnecting a separate series of individual cells forming an inflation zone of interconnected cells, each of said inflation zones being positioned on the cushion so as to provide optimal positioning and immersion of a user seated on the cellular cushion when the inflation zones are inflated and also maintain adequate positioning and immersion of the user seated on the cellular cushion if at least one of the at least two inflation zones deflates.    
   
   
       6 . The inflatable cellular cushion of  claim 5  further comprising a valve in fluid communication with said at least two air conduits, said valve capable of being manipulated from an open position wherein all of the recited inflation zones are in fluid communication through the valve to a closed position wherein the recited inflation zones are out of fluid communication with each other.  
   
   
       7 . The inflatable cellular cushion of  claim 5  wherein the inflatable air cells are molded neoprene.  
   
   
       8 . An inflatable air cell cushion that is resistant to complete cushion failure in the event of an air leak from at least one air cell comprising: 
 a base with an array of individual inflatable cells thereon, said array of cells being divided into at least two discrete inflation zones comprising interconnected air cells, said at least two discrete inflations zones positioned so that a supportive portion of each inflation zone is positioned under a seated user to provide positioning and support in use and so that a supportive portion of at least one inflation zone remains inflated under the seated user in the event another of said zones deflates.    
   
   
       9 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 8  comprising at least three discrete inflation zones.  
   
   
       10 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 8  comprising at least four discrete inflation zones.  
   
   
       11 . An inflatable cellular cushion for the support of a seated user, comprising: 
 a base having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    an array of individual upstanding inflatable air cells on said base, said array of air cells arranged in rows and forming a supportive seating area;    a plurality of air conduits, each said air conduit being in fluid communication with a separate group of said individual cells to form a plurality of individual inflation zones;    wherein said supportive seating area comprises a pattern of said individual inflation zones that provides proper positioning and immersion of the user seated on the supportive seating surface when the inflation zones are inflated and also maintains adequate positioning and immersion of the user seated on the supportive seating area if at least one of the individual inflation zones deflates.    
   
   
       12 . The inflatable cellular cushion of  claim 11  further comprising a valve in fluid communication with said plurality of air conduits, said valve capable of being manipulated from an open position wherein all of the recited inflation zones are in fluid communication through the valve, to a closed position wherein the recited inflation zones are out of fluid communication with each other.  
   
   
       13 . The inflatable cellular cushion of  claim 11  further comprising a first substantially rectangular centrally positioned inflation zone, a second inflation zone positioned substantially surrounding said centrally positioned inflation zone on three sides, a third inflation zone extending along one side of the second inflation zone, and a fourth inflation zone extending along an opposite side of the second inflation zone.  
   
   
       14 . The inflatable cellular cushion of  claim 11  further comprising a first centrally positioned inflation zone extending from the front edge of the base to the rear edge of the base; a second inflation zone positioned on each side of the first inflation zone; a third inflation zone positioned on each side of the second inflation zone; and a fourth inflation zone positioned on each side of the third inflation zone.  
   
   
       15 . The cushion of  claim 11  wherein the array of individual inflatable cells are molded from neoprene.  
   
   
       16 . An inflatable cellular cushion for the support of a seated user, comprising: 
 a base;    an array of individual upstanding inflatable air cells on said base, said array of air cells forming a supportive seating area;    a plurality of air conduits, each said air conduit being in fluid communication with a separate group of said individual cells to form a plurality of individual inflation zones;    a valve in fluid communication with said plurality of air conduits, said valve capable of being manipulated from an open position wherein all of the recited inflation zones are in fluid communication through the valve, to a closed position wherein the recited inflation zones are out of fluid communication with each other;    wherein said supportive seating area comprises a pattern of said individual inflation zones that provides proper positioning and immersion of the user seated on the supportive seating surface when the inflation zones are inflated and also maintains adequate positioning and immersion of the user seated on the supportive seating area if at least one of the individual inflation zones deflates while said valve is in a closed position.    
   
   
       17 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 16  comprising three air conduits and three individual inflation zones.  
   
   
       18 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 16  comprising four air conduits and four individual inflation zones.  
   
   
       19 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 16  wherein said valve further comprises a slide valve.  
   
   
       20 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 16  wherein each quadrant of the supportive seating area comprises at least two individual inflation zones.  
   
   
       21 . The inflatable air cell cushion of  claim 16  wherein each quadrant of the supportive seating area comprises at least three individual inflation zones.