Inflatable seat cushion

Abstract

The present invention concerns a vehicle seat cushion having first and second sections. The sections may be pneumatically inflatable. The first section has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The second section also has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Each of the said sections are located a spaced distance apart to form an elongated vertical channel between the sections and may be located on the forward section of a curved back pan. The cushion may also be of a unitary construction and each section of the cushion may be independently inflatable as well.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vehicle seat backrest cushion comprising: 
 first and second pneumatically inflatable sections;    said first section comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber;    said second section comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber; and    each of said sections being spaced to form an elongated vertical channel between said sections.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one passageway pneumatically connects said chambers.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said upper chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another and said lower chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said upper chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway and said lower chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said upper chambers are independently inflatable and said lower chambers are independently inflatable.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein all of said chambers are independently inflatable.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said channel is positioned to receive the spinal area of a user.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said channel is positioned minimize force on the spinal area of an occupant.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said sections of said cushion are located on the forward section of a curved back pan.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said sections are centrally located on a backrest of the seat.  
     
     
         11 . A vehicle seat backrest cushion comprising: 
 a base and a protruding section;    said protruding section including a plurality of raised areas; and    said raised areas defining a generally centrally located recess.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said cushion is of a unitary construction.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said cushion is located on the forward section of a curved back pan.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further wherein said channel is generally located in a central position on a backrest of the seat.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said channel is positioned to receive the spinal area of a user.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said channel is positioned to minimize force on the spinal area of an occupant.  
     
     
         17 . A vehicle seat backrest cushion comprising: 
 first and second pneumatically inflatable sections;    said first section comprising at least one chamber;    said second section comprising at least one chamber; and    each of said sections being spaced to form an elongated vertical channel between said sections.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein at least one passageway pneumatically connects said chambers.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said first section includes an upper and lower chamber and said second section includes an upper and lower chamber.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said upper chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another and said lower chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said upper chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway and said lower chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said upper chambers are independently inflatable and said lower chambers are independently inflatable.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein all of said chambers are independently inflatable.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said channel is positioned to receive the spinal area of a user.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said channel is positioned to minimize force on the spinal area of an occupant.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said sections of said cushion are located on the forward section of a curved back pan.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said sections are generally located in a central position on a backrest of the seat.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a seam connects said sections.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein a seam connects said sections.