Patent ID: 6085369
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
Variable temperature cushion apparatus, comprising:a cushion including,(a) a centrally located plenum having top, bottom and lateral sides constructed of intermeshed synthetic monofilament fibers forming a plurality of generally parallel tubes arranged side by side in single plane, the walls of which tubes are open-weave so that pressurized conditioned air received into the plenum can move along a relatively low back-pressure path lengthwise of the tubes and along a higher back-pressure path transversely of the tubes longitudinal axes, said tubes having sufficient transverse rigidity so as to be free from closing off to any significant extent during use,(b) an air and moisture impervious layer covering the bottom and lateral sides of the plenum, and(c) an air permeable foam sheet covering the top of the plenum;a ducting means mounted to extend through the air and moisture impervious layer to the plenum; andmeans releasably connected to the air ducting means for selectively cooling or heating a pressurized air stream including a Stirling cycle heat pump for cooling the pressurized air stream.