Conformable pod for a manual implement

Abstract

A conformable pod and related method of production are provided, wherein the pod defines a soft structure adapted for deformation in response to minimal pressure applied manually, i.e., by contact with some portion of the body, and for retaining a deformed configuration substantially in the absence of continued application of manual pressure. The pod includes a viscous and tacky gel material encased within a closed chamber defined at least in part by a relatively thin and easily deformed outer skin providing minimal deformation resistance. In a preferred form, the encased gel material is a coagulated or partially coagulated gel such as a silicone-based gel material adapted for deformation in response to minimal applied pressure, and for substantially pressureless retention of the as-deformed shape, followed by relatively slow return (at least two seconds or more) to an initial nondeformed shape upon release of the pod.

1 . A conformable pod for mounting onto a user-contacted implement, comprising: 
 a viscous gel material encased within a substantially closed chamber having a user-contacted front side defined at least in part by a relatively thin and easily deformable outer skin, and a rear-side substrate; and    at least one fastener carried by said rear-side substrate for mounting the pod onto a user-contacted implement, said fastener being at least partially embedded within the pod;    said outer skin and said gel material being deformable to a deformed shape in response to engagement with minimal applied manual pressure, and for substantially pressureless retention of said deformed shape.    
   
   
       2 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  further including a support strip disposed generally at the rear side of the pod, said support strip having a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of said outer skin, said at least one fastener being carried by said support strip.  
   
   
       3 . The conformable pod of  claim 2  wherein said support strip is disposed within said chamber generally at an inboard side of said rear-side substrate.  
   
   
       4 . The conformable pod of  claim 2  wherein said at least one fastener is at least partially embedded within said support strip.  
   
   
       5 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said rear-side substrate has a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of said outer skin, said at least one fastener being carried at least partially embedded within said rear-side substrate.  
   
   
       6 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said at least one fastener comprises a plurality of fasteners.  
   
   
       7 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said at least one fastener comprises a bolt protruding rearwardly from said rear-side substrate.  
   
   
       8 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said at least one fastener comprises a magnet carried at the rear side of the pod.  
   
   
       9 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said outer skin is shaped to define said closed chamber having a plurality of elongated raised ribs separated by intervening recessed troughs, and wherein said troughs are spaced at least slightly from said rear-side substrate.  
   
   
       10 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said gel material has a memory for retaining said deformed shape for a predetermined time delay period following release thereof, and for thereafter returning relatively slowly following said time delay period substantially to an initial nondeformed shape.  
   
   
       11 . The conformable pod of  claim 10  wherein said time delay period is at least about two seconds, and wherein said gel material thereafter returns over at least about four seconds substantially to the initial nondeformed shape.  
   
   
       12 . The conformable pod of  claim 1  wherein said gel material comprises an at least partially coagulated gel material.  
   
   
       13 . A conformable pod for mounting onto a user-contacted implement, comprising: 
 a viscous gel material encased within a substantially closed chamber having a user-contacted front side defined at least in part by a relatively thin and easily deformable outer skin, and a rear-side substrate, said outer skin being shaped to define said closed chamber front side having a plurality of elongated raised ribs separated by intervening recessed troughs, and wherein said troughs are spaced at least slightly from said rear-side substrate, said gel material extending in a continuum substantially throughout said closed chamber; and    at least one fastener carried at least in part by said rear-side substrate and rearwardly exposed for mounting the pod onto a user-contacted implement;    said outer skin and said gel material being deformable to a deformed shape in response to engagement with minimal applied manual pressure, and for substantially pressureless retention of said deformed shape.    
   
   
       14 . The conformable pod of  claim 13  wherein said at least one fastener is at least partially embedded within the pod.  
   
   
       15 . The conformable pod of  claim 14  further including a support strip disposed generally at the rear side of the pod, said support strip having a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of said outer skin, said at least one fastener being carried by said support strip.  
   
   
       16 . The conformable pod of  claim 14  wherein said rear-side substrate has a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of said outer skin, said at least one fastener being carried at least partially embedded within said rear-side substrate.  
   
   
       17 . The conformable pod of  claim 13  wherein said at least one fastener comprises a bolt protruding rearwardly from said rear-side substrate.  
   
   
       18 . The conformable pod of  claim 13  wherein said at least one fastener comprises a magnet carried at the rear side of the pod.  
   
   
       19 . The conformable pod of  claim 13  wherein said gel material has a memory for retaining said deformed shape for a predetermined time delay period following release thereof, and for thereafter returning relatively slowly following said time delay period substantially to an initial nondeformed shape.  
   
   
       20 . The conformable pod of  claim 19  wherein said time delay period is at least about two seconds, and wherein said gel material thereafter returns over at least about four seconds substantially to the initial nondeformed shape.  
   
   
       21 . The conformable pod of  claim 13  wherein said gel material comprises an at least partially coagulated gel material.