Modular hook and loop attachment cushions

Abstract

A system of modular, detachable cushions having surfaces containing hook and/or loop fasteners that fasten to mating loop, open weave or hook surfaces to define adjustable, conformal contoured support surfaces at user contact surfaces and appliances producing fatigue and/or abrasion (e.g. automotive seats, chairs, compartment walls, desks, footwear, helmets, tools etc.). The cushions can include air, elastomer, fabric, fiber, foam, liquid, gel, and/or rubber cushioning materials or combinations thereof arranged in envelopes, pads, cavities or tiered assemblies. The cushions include surfaces fitted with one or more layers of cushioning materials or envelopes of cushioning material and one or more regions of fastener materials that mate with interconnecting fasteners at the contact surface or appliance. The cushions can be selectively arrayed about the contact surface or appliance and may be selectively combined and/or layered and/or overlapped onto each other at user specific locations to tailor the cushioning contour.

1 . A cushioning assembly comprising:
 a) an appliance having contact surfaces that physically contact anatomical body surfaces of a user, which contact over time is susceptible of inducing user fatigue or abrasion, and wherein said contact surfaces are covered with an open weave or looped fabric material; and   b) a cushion wherein a first cushion member comprises a layer of a foam, elastomer, rubber or a filled envelope, a layer of hook-type fastener material bonded to said cushion member and a layer of an open weave or loop-type material bonded to said cushion member, wherein a portion of said hook-type fastener material is detachably fastened to said open weave or loop-type material at said contact surfaces to define a conformal interface between the user and the appliance, and wherein other portions of said hook-type, loop-type or open weave material are exposed to support other cushion members.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a second cushion member comprised of a layer of a foam, elastomer, rubber or a filled envelope is adapted to overlap and attach to the hook-type, open weave or loop-type material to define a stacked, resilient and conformal contour. 
     
     
         4 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first cushion member comprises an envelope defined by first and second impermeable layers mounted to encapsulate a volume of air, liquid, gelatinous, or semi-solid resilient material. 
     
     
         5 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said second cushion member comprises an envelope defined by first and second impermeable layers mounted to encapsulate a volume of air, liquid, gelatinous, or semi-solid resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said second cushion member comprises a layer of a foam, elastomer or rubber and a layer of said hook-type fastener material. 
     
     
         7 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said appliance is selected from a class including armrests, chairs, footwear, gloves, headwear, keyboards, knee pads, seats, hand tools, wrist pads, or operator supports. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein one of said layers of said open weave or loop-type material or said hook-type fastener material is integrally formed with the first cushion member. 
     
     
         10 . A cushion assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first cushion member comprises a layer of foam or elastomer and wherein a second cushion member comprising an envelope defined by first and second impermeable layers mounted to encapsulate a volume of air, liquid, gelatinous, or semi-solid resilient material is mounted to the other exposed portions of said hook-type, loop-type or open weave material. 
     
     
         11 . A cushioned assembly comprising:
 a) an external device having a plurality of contact surfaces that physically contact anatomical surfaces of a user, which contact over time is susceptible of inducing user fatigue or abrasion, and wherein said contact surfaces are covered with an open weave or loop-type material; and   b) a cushion assembly wherein a first cushion member comprises a layer of an open weave or loop-type fastener material and a second layer of a hook-type fastener material, wherein a conformally resilient material is encapsulated between said first and second layers, wherein a second cushion member includes a surface containing a hook-type fastener material, wherein said first and second cushion members are detachably secured to each other, and wherein the hook-type fastener material of at least one of said first and second cushion members is attached to the open weave or loop-type material of a contact surface to define a stacked conformal interface between the user and the external device.   
     
     
         12 . A cushioned assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein one of said first and second cushion members comprises an envelope containing a volume of air, liquid, gel, or a semi-solid resilient material. 
     
     
         13 . A cushioned assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein one of said first and second cushion members comprises a layer of a foam, elastomer or rubber. 
     
     
         14 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A cushioned assembly comprising:
 a) an external device having a plurality of contact surfaces that physically contact anatomical surfaces of a user, which contact over time is susceptible of inducing user fatigue or abrasion, and wherein said contact surfaces are covered with an open weave or loop-type material; and   b) a cushion wherein a first cushion member comprises a conformally resilient layer of foam, elastomer, rubber or a filled envelope, wherein exposed surface regions of said first cushion member comprise an open weave or loop-type fastener material and other surface regions comprise a hook-type fastener material, wherein a portion of the surface regions of said hook-type fastener material are detachably fastened to said open weave or loop-type fastener material at said contact surfaces to define a conformal interface between the user and the external device, and wherein other portions of said hook-type, loop-type or open weave material are exposed to support other cushion members.   
     
     
         18 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a second cushion member comprised of a layer of a foam, elastomer, rubber or a filled envelope is adapted to overlap and attach to the hook-type, open weave or loop-type material of the first cushion member to define a stacked, resilient and conformal contour. 
     
     
         19 . A cushioning assembly as set forth in  claim 18  wherein one of said first and second cushion members comprises an envelope defined by first and second impermeable layers mounted to encapsulate a volume of air, liquid, gelatinous, or semi-solid resilient material.