Seat cushioning device

Abstract

The present invention uses air, among other things, to provide cushioning on a seat in order to cushion the genital-perineal area, the medial aspect of the upper leg area, and the buttocks area of a user. In addition, the present invention relates to seat cushion devices that are essentially self-inflating, and capable of deflation by the user. Furthermore, the present invention relates to seat cushion devices in which the user may vary the amount of air that the device contains for cushioning purposes. The present invention comprises a deformable cushion surrounded by an airtight chamber. In addition, the airtight chamber has a release valve mounted though it, which serves to either allow or prevent air flow to or from the deformable cushion. In order to decrease the amount of air that is used for cushioning, the user compresses the deformable cushion, thereby forcing air out of the deformable cushion through the release valve. Once the desired amount of air is contained in the deformable cushion, and while the deformable cushion is still under compression, the user closes the release valve, thereby preventing air flow to or from the deformable cushion. In this respect, the device is capable of being adjusted to contain an amount of air for cushioning that the user desires. Later, if the user desires a greater amount of air for cushioning, the user may open the release valve that allows air to flow into the deformable cushion as the deformable cushion expands to its original shape. This aspect of the present invention makes the seat cushion device essentially self-inflating.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A seat cushioning device comprising: 
 a deformable cushion made from a resilient, durable material;    an airtight chamber having a wall and surrounding said deformable cushion;    a release valve in said wall of said airtight chamber; and    a fastening device connected to said airtight chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said fastening device is a structure selected from the group consisting of a sleeve, a strap, a belt, Velcro, tape, stitches, rivets, and adhesive.  
     
     
         3 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said deformable cushion is round in shape.  
     
     
         4 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said deformable cushion is oval in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said deformable cushion is square in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said deformable cushion is shaped as a bicycle seat.  
     
     
         7 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said airtight chamber substantially conforms to the size and shape of said deformable cushion.  
     
     
         8 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said deformable cushion is made from a synthetic foam material.  
     
     
         9 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 1  wherein said airtight chamber is made out of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber.  
     
     
         10 . A seat cushioning device comprising: 
 a deformable cushion made from a resilient, durable, synthetic foam material;    an airtight chamber having a wall and surrounding said deformable cushion;    said airtight chamber made out of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber;    a release valve in said wall of said airtight chamber;    said airtight chamber substantially conforming to the size and shape of said deformable cushion; and    a fastening device connected to said airtight chamber.    
     
     
         11 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 10  wherein said fastening device is a structure selected from the group consisting of a sleeve, a strap, a belt, Velcro, tape, stitches, rivets, and adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 10  wherein said deformable cushion is round in shape.  
     
     
         13 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 10  wherein said deformable cushion is oval in shape.  
     
     
         14 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 10  wherein said deformable cushion is square in shape.  
     
     
         15 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 10  wherein said deformable cushion is shaped as a bicycle seat.  
     
     
         16 . A seat cushioning device comprising: 
 a deformable cushion made from a resilient, durable material and shaped as a bicycle seat;    an airtight chamber having a wall and surrounding said deformable cushion;    a release valve in said wall of said airtight chamber; and    a fastening device connected to said airtight chamber, wherein said fastening device comprising a sleeve.    
     
     
         17 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 16  wherein said airtight chamber substantially conforms to the size and shape of said deformable cushion.  
     
     
         18 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 16  wherein said deformable cushion is made from a synthetic foam material.  
     
     
         19 . The seat cushioning device of  claim 16  wherein said airtight chamber is made out of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber.  
     
     
         20 . A seat cushioning device comprising: 
 a deformable cushion made from a resilient, durable, synthetic foam material and shaped as a bicycle seat;    an airtight chamber having a wall and surrounding said deformable cushion;    said airtight chamber made out of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber;    a release valve in said wall of said airtight chamber;    said airtight chamber substantially conforming to the size and shape of said deformable cushion; and    a fastening device connected to said airtight chamber, wherein said fastening device comprising a sleeve.