Tension free wheelchair seat cover and cushion therewith

Abstract

A seat cover, and a method for producing a seat cover, minimizes surface tension in the cover material, when the cover conforms to a highly contoured shape.

1 . A wheelchair cushion comprising a cover having a top surface comprising one or more layers of material, at least one of the one or more material layers having at least a portion that is pre-compressed so as to allow the pre-compressed portion to stretch while minimizing surface tension developing in the pre-compressed portion. 
     
     
         2 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the pre-compressed portion is formed during sewn construction of the cover. 
     
     
         3 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the one or more material layers has a perimeter comprising one or more edges and the pre-compressed portion is compressed by having elastic material attached to the one or more edges of the perimeter, the elastic material being pre-stretched during attachment so as to pre-compress the portion that is pre-compressed when tension from the elastic material is removed. 
     
     
         4 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 1  in combination with a wheelchair, the combination comprising a base and a seat supported by the base, the cushion supported by the seat. 
     
     
         5 . A wheelchair cushion comprising:
 a cover having a top surface of known size, and   an insert material installed in relation to the cover and having a length and width, at least one of the length or width being oversized with respect to the size of the top surface, the length and width of the insert material being compressed so as to reduce at least one of the overall length or width of the insert material so as to allow the insert material to stretch freely while minimizing surface tension developing in the insert material.   
     
     
         6 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 5  wherein the insert material is installed into the top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 5  in combination with a wheelchair, the combination comprising a base and a seat supported by the base, the cushion supported by the seat. 
     
     
         8 . A wheelchair cushion comprising a cover having a top surface comprising one or more layers of material, at least one of the one or more material layers being cut so as to allow the at least one of the one or more material layers to stretch in at least one of a lateral direction or a longitudinal direction while minimizing surface tension developing in the at least one of the one or more material layers. 
     
     
         9 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one of the one or more material layers is cut by making one or more cuts in the at least one of the one or more material layers so as to allow the at least one of the one or more material layers to stretch in the at least one of the lateral direction or the longitudinal direction while minimizing surface tension developing in the at least one of the one or more material layers. 
     
     
         10 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one of the one or more material layers is cut by making the cuts in a series of rows. 
     
     
         11 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one of the one or more material layers comprises a fabric that is constructed in such a manner as to allow for more stretch in one direction than in another, and where the direction of more stretch is aligned relatively parallel to a long axis direction of the rows. 
     
     
         12 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 9  wherein one or more of the cuts are non-straight cuts that allow the at least one of the one or more material layers to stretch in a general direction of the cuts. 
     
     
         13 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 9  wherein one or more of the cuts form one or more “S” shaped patterns. 
     
     
         14 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 9  wherein one or more of the cuts form one or more zigzag patterns. 
     
     
         15 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 9  wherein one or more of the cuts form one or more spiral patterns. 
     
     
         16 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 9  wherein one or more of the cuts form one or more star patterns. 
     
     
         17 . The wheelchair cushion according to  claim 8  in combination with a wheelchair, the combination comprising a base and a seat supported by the base, the cushion supported by the seat.