Varying tube size of seat to prolong comfort in aerospace vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9776724-B2
Application number	US-201514711599-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2015
Priority date	May 13, 2015
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A system and method that comprises a plurality of inflatable tubes is provided. The plurality of inflatable tubes comprises a first tube set and a second tube set. The plurality of inflatable tubes is configured to provide a pressure distribution to an object supported by the plurality of inflatable tubes. The first tube set is configured to be inflated and deflated at a predetermined time interval to shift the pressure distribution.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A repositioning system, comprising:
a plurality of inflatable tubes; and
a soft foam cushion supported by the plurality of inflatable tubes,
wherein the plurality of inflatable tubes comprises a first tube set and a second tube set,
wherein the plurality of inflatable tubes are in an alternating parallel arrangement where each tube of the first tube set is separated by a tube of the second tube set,
wherein the plurality of inflatable tubes is configured to provide a pressure distribution to an object supported by the plurality of inflatable tubes,
wherein the first tube set is configured to be inflated and deflated at a predetermined time interval to shift the pressure distribution,
wherein a diameter of each tube of the first tube set is larger than a diameter of each tube of the second tube set when all tubes are fully inflated,
wherein the soft foam cushion provides a continuous plane that supports an occupant as the first tube set is inflated and deflated,
wherein the first set of tubes when fully inflated maintain a first distance between the soft form cushion and a seat structure, and
wherein the second set of tubes when the first set of tubes are deflated maintain a second distance between the soft form cushion and the seat structure.

2. The repositioning system of claim 1 , wherein the second tube set is configured to be inflated and deflated in conjunction with the first tube set at the predetermined time interval to shift the pressure distribution.

3. The repositioning system of claim 1 , wherein the
seat structure is configured to support the plurality of inflatable tubes.

4. The repositioning system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a compressor configured to provide air to the plurality of inflatable tubes in accordance with the predetermined time interval.

5. A repositioning method, comprising:
providing a pressure distribution to an object supported by a plurality of inflatable tubes, the plurality of inflatable tubes comprising a first tube set and a second tube set;
supporting a soft form cushion by the plurality of inflatable tube; and
shifting the pressure distribution by inflating and deflating the first tube set at a predetermined time interval,
wherein the plurality of inflatable tubes are in an alternating parallel arrangement where each tube of the first tube set is separated by a tube of the second tube,
wherein a diameter of each tube of the first tube set is larger than a diameter of each tube of the second tube set when all tubes are fully inflated, and
wherein the soft form cushion provides a continuous plane that supports an occupant as the first tube set is inflated by a soft foam cushion,
wherein the first set of tubes when fully inflated maintain a first distance between the soft form cushion and a seat structure, and
wherein the second set of tubes when the first set of tubes are deflated maintain a second distance between the soft form cushion and the seat structure.

6. The repositioning method of claim 5 , wherein shifting the pressure distribution comprises:
inflating and deflating the second tube set in conjunction with the first tube set at the predetermined time interval.

7. The repositioning method of claim 5 , further comprising:
supporting the plurality of inflatable tubes by the seat structure.

8. The repositioning method of claim 5 , further comprising:
providing air to the plurality of inflatable tubes in accordance with the predetermined time interval by a compressor.

Assignees

• Ami Ind Inc

Inventors

• Marappan Bharath
• Hosmani Mahesh Virupaxi
• Kozhipuram Akhil Rajagopal
• Kuppan Skandan Berikai

Classifications

• A61H9/0078 Primary

  with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs (mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776) · CPC title

• A47C27/082

  with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps · CPC title

• B60R21/18

  the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement · CPC title

• B60R21/16

  Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags ({protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; } connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00) · CPC title

• A61H9/00

  Pneumatic or hydraulic massage · CPC title