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US-12616305-B1 - Lightweight inflatable cushion

US12616305B1US 12616305 B1US12616305 B1US 12616305B1US-12616305-B1

Abstract

An inflatable cushion that is orally inflatable using exhaled air. The inflatable cushion also can be inflated by breathing into an inflation chamber portion of the cushion and then squeezing the inflation chamber (e.g., with a user's hands and fingers), thereby increasing the pressure, to push additional air into the passages and channels to fill the seat cushion. A separate deflation chamber of the seat cushion can have a tubular check valve designed to be squeezed that opens the valve to deflate. The deflation chamber can be used to adjust the comfort of the inflatable cushion or to empty the inflatable cushion after use. The inflatable cushion can be made of thin plastic or similar material that is lightweight and can be folded, creating a structure that can be used several times before disposal.

Inventors

  • Greg Longe

Assignees

  • Greg Longe

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20250710

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A seat cushion comprising: a main chamber that is inflatable: an inflation chamber separate from the main chamber and connected to the main chamber, and defined between a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve; a deflation chamber including a third one-way valve configured to release air from the main chamber, and an attachment mechanism configured to couple to at least one seat cushion accessory, the attachment mechanism including: a cushion tab portion configured to couple to an accessory groove portion on the at least one seat cushion accessory.
  2. 2 . The seat cushion of claim 1 , wherein the cushion tab portion comprises: a protrusion extending from a surface of the cushion tab portion, the protrusion having an edge surface extending from the protrusion to form a seal with a corresponding surface on the accessory groove portion.
  3. 3 . The seat cushion of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises: a cushion groove portion configured to couple to an accessory tab portion on the at least one seat cushion accessory.
  4. 4 . The seat cushion of claim 3 , wherein the cushion groove portion comprises: a groove extending between a first surface and a second surface, the groove having a first side, a second side opposed to the first side, and a third side between the first side and the second side; and a pair of overhangs including a first overhang extending from the first surface and a second overhang extending from the second surface, the pair of overhangs extending parallel to the third side between the first side and the second side of the groove.
  5. 5 . The seat cushion of claim 1 , wherein the at least one seat cushion accessory includes: a second seat cushion, a pouch, or a cup holder.
  6. 6 . The seat cushion of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a first attachment mechanism, the seat cushion further comprising: a second attachment mechanism including a second tab portion or a second groove portion.
  7. 7 . The seat cushion of claim 1 , wherein the main chamber comprises: a plurality of straight air chambers coupled to a connecting channel, wherein each straight air chamber of the plurality of straight air chambers are parallel to another and perpendicular to the connecting channel, and wherein the connecting channel is coupled to the inflation chamber and the deflation chamber; and a plurality of angled air chambers coupled to the plurality of straight air chambers, wherein the plurality of angled air chambers angle away from the plurality of straight air chambers.
  8. 8 . An inflatable seat cushion comprising: a main chamber having multiple air chambers and a connecting channel to provide adjustable cushioning to a user; an inflation chamber separate from the main chamber and connected to the main chamber, and defined between a first one-way valve positioned at an air inlet and a second one-way valve positioned at a connection point between the inflation chamber and the main chamber; and an attachment mechanism configured to couple to at least one seat cushion accessory, the attachment mechanism including: a cushion tab portion that couples to an accessory groove portion on the at least one seat cushion accessory, and a cushion groove portion that couples to an accessory tab portion on the at least one seat cushion accessory.
  9. 9 . The inflatable seat cushion of claim 8 , wherein the cushion tab portion comprises: a protrusion extending from a surface of the cushion tab portion, the protrusion having an edge surface extending from the protrusion to form a seal with a corresponding surface on the accessory groove portion.
  10. 10 . The inflatable seat cushion of claim 8 , wherein the cushion groove portion comprises: a groove extending between a first surface and a second surface, the groove having a first side, a second side opposed to the first side, and a third side between the first side and the second side; and a pair of overhangs including a first overhang extending from the first surface and a second overhang extending from the second surface, the pair of overhangs extending parallel to the third side between the first side and the second side of the groove.
  11. 11 . The inflatable seat cushion of claim 8 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a first attachment mechanism, the inflatable seat cushion further comprising: a second attachment mechanism including a second cushion tab portion or a second cushion groove portion.
  12. 12 . The inflatable seat cushion of claim 8 , wherein the main chamber comprises: a deflation chamber including a third one-way valve configured to release air from the main chamber; a plurality of straight air chambers coupled to a connecting channel, wherein each straight air chamber of the plurality of straight air chambers are parallel to another and perpendicular to the connecting channel, and wherein the connecting channel is coupled to the inflation chamber and the deflation chamber; and a plurality of angled air chambers coupled to the plurality of straight air chambers, wherein the plurality of angled air chambers angle away from the plurality of straight air chambers.
  13. 13 . The inflatable seat cushion of claim 8 , wherein the at least one seat cushion accessory includes: a second seat cushion, a pouch, or a cup holder.
  14. 14 . A cushion comprising: a main chamber configured to provide cushioning to a user using stored air: an inflation chamber separate from the main chamber and connected to the main chamber such that a compression action applied to the inflation chamber causes an increase in pressure within the main chamber to facilitate inflation of the main chamber, wherein the inflation chamber is defined between a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve; and an attachment mechanism configured to couple to at least one seat cushion accessory, the attachment mechanism including: a cushion groove portion configured to couple to a corresponding tab portion on the at least one seat cushion accessory.
  15. 15 . The cushion of claim 14 , wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises: a cushion tab portion configured to couple to a corresponding groove portion on the at least one seat cushion accessory.
  16. 16 . The cushion of claim 15 , wherein the cushion tab portion comprises: a protrusion extending from a surface of the cushion tab portion, the protrusion having an edge surface extending from the protrusion to form a seal with a corresponding surface on the corresponding groove portion of the at least one seat cushion accessory.
  17. 17 . The cushion of claim 14 , wherein the cushion groove portion comprises: a groove extending between a first surface and a second surface, the groove having a first side, a second side opposed to the first side, and a third side between the first side and the second side; and a pair of overhangs including a first overhang extending from the first surface and a second overhang extending from the second surface, the pair of overhangs extending parallel to the third side between the first side and the second side of the groove.
  18. 18 . The cushion of claim 14 , wherein the at least one seat cushion accessory includes: a second seat cushion, a pouch, or a cup holder.
  19. 19 . The cushion of claim 14 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a first attachment mechanism, the cushion further comprising: a second attachment mechanism including a second tab portion or a second groove portion.
  20. 20 . The cushion of claim 14 , wherein the main chamber comprises: a deflation chamber including a third one-way valve configured to release air from the main chamber; a plurality of straight air chambers coupled to a connecting channel, wherein each straight air chamber of the plurality of straight air chambers are parallel to another and perpendicular to the connecting channel, and wherein the connecting channel is coupled to the inflation chamber and the deflation chamber; and a plurality of angled air chambers coupled to the plurality of straight air chambers, wherein the plurality of angled air chambers angle away from the plurality of straight air chambers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/940,715, filed Nov. 7, 2024, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention pertains to an orally inflated plastic disposable comfort cushion. BACKGROUND A seat cushion can improve the comfort of a person at a locale with hard seating, such as a stadium or arena. Today, most seat cushions are constructed using a heavy, durable outside layer with a foam-filled or pump-inflated pillow inside. These foam-filled models are not adjustable and are bulky to transport or store. Many inflatable models require a pump to inflate them and, sometimes, are not allowed at event venues. Further, bringing a cushion into an event venue may not be feasible, because cushions are often bulky when folded and will not fit in small handbags. Sometimes cushions are leased or sold at an event but can be very expensive to purchase. However, sitting on or leaning against a previously used, leased cushion may be objectionable to some people due to the cushion not being as clean as they would like, or at least due to a concern that it may not be. Additionally, some event venues will not allow purses or backpacks inside that are not clear or see-through, due to the requirement for visual inspection by security personnel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Detailed descriptions of implementations of the present invention will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a cushion. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the embodiment of the cushion of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an attachment mechanism that can be used to connect accessories to the cushion of FIG. 1. Embodiments or implementations describing aspects of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and the same reference identifiers can indicate the same or similar elements. While the drawings depict various implementations for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations can be employed without departing from the principles of the present technologies. Accordingly, while specific implementations are shown in the drawings, the technology is amenable to various modifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The description and associated drawings are illustrative examples and are not to be construed as limiting. This disclosure provides certain details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant technology will understand, however, that the invention can be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant technology will understand that the invention can include well-known structures or features that are not shown or described in detail, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of examples. In view of the above-mentioned issues, a need exists for a lightweight, clear cushion that can be easily transported to a variety of different events and venues. The cushion disclosed herein is configured to support at least a portion of a person's body. In at least one embodiment, the cushion may be a seat cushion, i.e., a cushion that is designed to be sat upon by a person. The comfort of a user at any locale with hard seating, such as a stadium or arena, can be improved by using a cushion. The disclosed cushion is a lightweight and inflatable cushion and, when not inflated, fits into most bags or pockets. The cushion, according to at least one embodiment, can provide cushioning for a user's buttocks, legs, back, or head, for example. The cushion is inflatable and includes a series of chambers and valves to provide an adjustable inflation level, enabling the user to adjust the firmness of the cushion to a desired comfort level. The cushion can be inflated orally with exhaled air from a user via an inflation chamber within the cushion. The inflation chamber facilitates the inflation of the cushion, particularly oral inflation, and makes it easier for users who may have limited breathing power (e.g., sufferers of asthma or chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (CPOD)) to inflate the cushion. The cushion can also include a deflation chamber for quickly deflating the cushion after use. The cushion can be constructed of a lightweight, thin material, such as a disposable plastic, that is strong enough to support multiple uses and inflations by the user. Cushion FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the cushion 100. The cushion 100 includes multiple angled chambers 102, multiple straight chambers 104, a channel 106, and a casing 108. Using air or another gas or mixture of gases, a person (the “user”) inflates the main compartment, which includes the multiple angled chambers 102 and straight chambers 104. The air can be from the user's breath or a small pump, such as a hand pump o