Office chair with inflatable cellular insert

Abstract

A seat cushion for a chair having a contoured, padded base with an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the base and encased within a cover. The air cell pad is optimally located in the base so as to be positioned under the user's buttocks, particularly under the areas of high-pressure areas on the buttocks of a normally positioned user. The inflatable air cell pad is operatively connected to a pump device positioned on the chair for access by a seated user of the chair. The user can sit on the cushion and inflate or deflate the air cell pad for optimal support and comfort. In one aspect of the invention the pump comprises a bulb and valve combination.

1 . A seat cushion for a chair for support of a seated user, the seat cushion comprising: 
 a padded base;    an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the base and located in the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks of a normally positioned user;    a cover enclosing the padded base; and    a pump device operatively connected to the air cell pad and positioned for access by the user of the chair so the user can sit on the seat cushion and inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump for optimal support and comfort.    
   
   
       2 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the pump comprises a bulb and valve combination.  
   
   
       3 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the padded base comprises a cavity for placement of the air cell pad.  
   
   
       4 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a stretchable top surface.  
   
   
       5 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the air cell pad comprises a flexible base, an array of individual interconnected air cells on the base, and an air conduit having one end in fluid connection with at least one of the individual air cells and a second end connectable to the pump.  
   
   
       6 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the air cell pad is formed from neoprene.  
   
   
       7 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the padded base is formed from polyurethane foam.  
   
   
       8 . The seat cushion of  claim 1  wherein the chair is an office chair.  
   
   
       9 . A seat cushion for an office chair for support of a seated user, the seat cushion comprising: 
 a contoured foam base having a cavity formed therein;    an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the cavity and located in the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks of a normally positioned user, said air cell pad comprising a flexible base, an array of upstanding, interconnected air cells on the base and, an air conduit in fluid communication with at least one of the individual air cells;    a cover enclosing the padded base; and    a pump device operatively connected to the air conduit and positioned for access by the user of the chair so the user can sit on the cushion and inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump for optimal support and comfort.    
   
   
       10 . The seat cushion of  claim 9  wherein the cavity is formed through a bottom surface of the base.  
   
   
       11 . The seat cushion of  claim 9  wherein the cavity is formed through a top surface of the base.  
   
   
       12 . The cushion of  claim 9  wherein the air cell pad is formed from neoprene.  
   
   
       13 . A chair for support of a seated user, the chair comprising: 
 a back rest for supporting the back of a the seated user:    a seat cushion for seating of the user, the seat cushion comprising a contoured foam base having a cavity formed therein, an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the base cavity and located in the base so as to be positioned under an area of high pressure on the buttocks of a normally positioned user, said air cell pad comprising a flexible base, an array of upstanding, interconnected air cells on the base and an air conduit in fluid communication with at least one of the individual air cells; and a cover enclosing the padded base; and    a pump device operatively connected to the air conduit and positioned for access by the seated user of the chair so the user can sit on the seat cushion and inflate or deflate the air cell pad with the pump for optimal support and comfort.    
   
   
       14 . The chair of  claim 13  wherein the air cell pad is formed from neoprene.  
   
   
       15 . The chair of  claim 13  wherein the pump device is a bulb pump having a valve thereon to allow release of air from the air cell pad.  
   
   
       16 . The chair of  claim 13  wherein the pump device is enclosed by the cover.  
   
   
       17 . The chair of  claim 13  wherein the cavity is formed through a top surface of the foam base.  
   
   
       18 . The chair of  claim 17  wherein the air cell pad is covered by a layer of foam.  
   
   
       19 . The chair of  claim 17  wherein the cover has an opening therein to expose the air cell pad.