Dynamic Cushioning Assembly

Abstract

A dynamic cushioning assembly to be used on beds, seats, backrests, shoes or any other surfaces where a portion of a body is subjected to prolonged contact and pressure with a support surface. The arrangement is comprised of a pattern of spherical elastic lugs cooperating with an upper, elastomeric layer. When a force is applied to the upper layer, the cooperation of the lugs with the upper layer create an uneven but soft surface having undulating zone of higher and lower resistance which serve to enhance blood circulation.

1 . A dynamic cushioning assembly to support a portion of a body, the apparatus comprising:
 an elastomeric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a plurality of lugs flexibly connected to the bottom surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs arranged against the bottom surface of the elastomeric layer; and   each lug cooperating with the elastomeric layer to create a plurality of zones of higher resistance and a plurality of zones of lower resistance when a force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein each lug cooperates with the elastomeric layer whereby a variation of the force creates a variation in location of the plurality of zones of higher resistance and the plurality of zones of lower resistance. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the lugs are flexibly connected to the elastomeric layer with a resilient stem permitting a degree of lug movement when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the lugs are convex at a point of contact with the resilient stem. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric layer contains a plurality of voids allowing air to pass through the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is utilized against a portion of the human body. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least two lugs have a magnetized portion magnetized with a polarity whereby the polarity assists the displacement of the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a support layer positioned opposite of the elastomeric layer whereby the lugs are between the elastomeric layer and the support layer; and   the support layer having an elasticity measure sufficient to reduce deformation of the support layer at a point of contact with the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a convex rigid bottom portion of the plurality of lugs;   a plurality of convex knobs attached to the support layer and arranged opposite the rigid bottom portion of the lugs; and   a retaining means maintaining the opposite arrangement of the lugs and the knobs whereby the bottom portion of the lugs are displaced by the knobs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein each lug cooperates with the elastomeric layer and the knobs whereby a variation of the force creates a variation in location of the plurality of zones of higher resistance and the plurality of zones of lower resistance. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein each of the lugs are flexibly connected to the elastomeric layer with a resilient stem permitting a degree of lug movement when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the lugs are convex at a point of contact with the resilient stem. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the elastomeric layer contains a plurality of voids allowing air to pass through the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the apparatus is utilized against a portion of the human body. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 9  further wherein:
 the rigid bottom portion of each lug is magnetized with a polarity; and   each knob is magnetized with the polarity whereby the polarity assists the displacement of the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a convex rigid bottom portion of the plurality of lugs;   the rigid bottom portion being magnetized with a polarity;   a plurality of magnetized portions of the support layer magnetized with the polarity;   the magnetized portions are arranged opposite the rigid bottom portion of the lugs; and   a retaining means maintaining the opposite arrangement of the lugs and the magnetized portions polarity assists the displacement of the bottom portion of the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein each lug cooperates with the elastomeric layer and the support layer whereby a variation of the force creates a variation in location of the plurality of zones of higher resistance and the plurality of zones of lower resistance. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein each of the lugs are flexibly connected to the elastomeric layer with a resilient stem permitting a degree of lug movement when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein the lugs are convex at a point of contact with the resilient stem. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 16  further wherein the elastomeric layer contains a plurality of voids allowing air to pass through the elastomeric layer. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the apparatus is utilized under a portion of a human body. 
     
     
         22 . A dynamic cushioning assembly to support a portion of a body, the apparatus comprising:
 an elastomeric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a plurality of lugs flexibly connected to the bottom surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs arranged against the bottom surface of the elastomeric layer and cooperating with the elastomeric layer to create a plurality of zones of higher resistance and a plurality of zones of lower resistance when a force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs are flexibly connected to the elastomeric layer with a resilient stem permitting a degree of lug movement when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs are convex at a point of contact with the resilient stem;   a support layer positioned opposite of the elastomeric layer whereby the lugs are between the elastomeric layer and the support layer;   the support layer having an elasticity measure sufficient to reduce deformation of the support layer at a point of contact with the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer;   a convex rigid bottom portion of the plurality of lugs;   a plurality of convex knobs attached to the support layer and arranged opposite the rigid bottom portion of the lugs;   a retaining means maintaining the opposite arrangement of the lugs and the knobs whereby the bottom portion of the lugs are displaced by the knobs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer; and   each lug further cooperating with the elastomeric layer and the knobs whereby a variation of the force creates a variation in location of the plurality of zones of higher resistance and the plurality of zones of lower resistance.   
     
     
         23 . A dynamic cushioning assembly to support a portion of a body, the apparatus comprising:
 an elastomeric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a plurality of lugs flexibly connected to the bottom surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs arranged against the bottom surface of the elastomeric layer and cooperating with the elastomeric layer to create a plurality of zones of higher resistance and a plurality of zones of lower resistance when a force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs are flexibly connected to the elastomeric layer with a resilient stem permitting a degree of lug movement when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer;   the lugs are convex at a point of contact with the resilient stem;   a support layer positioned opposite of the elastomeric layer whereby the lugs are between the elastomeric layer and the support layer;   the support layer having an elasticity measure sufficient to reduce deformation of the support layer at a point of contact with the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer;   a convex rigid bottom portion of the plurality of lugs;   the rigid bottom portion being magnetized with a polarity;   a plurality of magnetized portions of the support layer magnetized with the polarity;   the magnetized portions are arranged opposite the rigid bottom portion of the lugs; and   a retaining means maintaining the opposite arrangement of the lugs and the magnetized portions polarity assists the displacement of the bottom portion of the lugs when the force is applied to the top surface of the elastomeric layer; and   each lug cooperates with the elastomeric layer and the support layer whereby a variation of the force creates a variation in location of the plurality of zones of higher resistance and the plurality of zones of lower resistance.