Patent Publication Number: US-9420905-B2

Title: Cushion device

Description:
This application is the U.S. National Phase Patent Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application Number PCT/US2011/050440, filed on Sep. 2, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to cushions and in particular to an active multi-positional support cushion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cushions used for resting or sleeping are used in pillows. Most cushions include a fill portion for supporting a user&#39;s head while sleeping, or other parts of the anatomy as desired. Some pillows use memory foam to support a user&#39;s head while resting on the pillow. When the user removes their head from the pillow, the pillow returns to the original shape. These pillows typically react to the weight placed upon it and only passively support the weight based on the thickness or density of the memory foam. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a cushion device. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a first material layer attached with a first plurality of viscoelastic members. A second material layer is attached with a second plurality of viscoelastic members. A material wall surrounds the first material layer and the second material layer. A first fill material is disposed between the first material layer and the second material layer. 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a cushion device including a first material layer having varying thickness. The first material layer comprising at least one viscoelastic material. A second material layer is included. A material wall surrounds the first material layer and the second material layer. A first fill material is disposed between the first material layer and the second material layer. 
     In one embodiment the present invention provides a support pillow including a first viscoelastic material layer is coupled with an opposing first pair of viscoelastic members. A second viscoelastic material layer is coupled with an opposing second pair of viscoelastic members. A material wall surrounds the first material layer and the second material layer. The material wall comprising synthetic fiber material made from a polymer containing polyurethane. A first fill material is disposed between the first material layer and the second material layer. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of an active support cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a top view of a material layer of the cushion apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  shows an exploded view of two layers of the cushion apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front cross sectional view of a cushion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side cross-sectional view of a cushion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side cross-sectional view of a cushion device showed with a head in a side position on the cushion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a rear cross-sectional view of a cushion device showed with a head shown in a supine position on the cushion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a comparison of the head positions on the cushion device as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  shows a top view of an upper portion of a cushion device at a resting state, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  shows a top view of an upper portion of the cushion device of  FIG. 8A  with a force applied in the direction of the arrow, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9A  shows a bottom view of an upper portion of a cushion device at a resting state, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9B  shows a bottom view of an upper portion of a cushion device of  FIG. 9A  with a force applied in the direction of the arrow, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a front cross sectional view of a cushion device including a firming fill element, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11A  shows a rear view of a cushion device including a cushion cover, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  shows a front view of the cushion device shown in  FIG. 11A  including a cushion cover, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of an extended cushion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of including the extended cushion device of  FIG. 12 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of another active support cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view a cushion device centered in a material wall portion, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  shows a front cross sectional view of a cushion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a cushion device for improving posture and support. One embodiment of the invention comprises a cushion device. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a first material layer attached with a first plurality of viscoelastic members. A second material layer is attached with a second plurality of viscoelastic members. A material wall surrounds the first material layer and the second material layer. A first fill material is disposed between the first material layer and the second material layer. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of an active support cushion device  100 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the active support cushion device  100  includes a first layer  120 , a second layer  125  and a material wall  110  that surrounds the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125 . In one example, the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125  comprise a viscoelastic material, such as memory foam, polyurethane foam, or other similar material. In one embodiment of the invention, the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125  each include viscoelastic members  130  and  135 . In one example, the viscoelastic material comprises memory foam or other similar material. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the first material layer  120  includes the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  on a bottom portion of the first material layer  120 , and the second material layer  125  includes the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  on a top portion of the second material layer  120 . In one example, the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125  each have a curved shape. In another example, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  may have a curved or tear-drop shape that mirrors one another. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are displaced a predetermined distance from edges of the material wall  110 . In one example, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are displaced a distance ranging from 10 mm to 20 mm from the edges of the material wall  110 . In one example, placing the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  a predetermined distance from the material wall, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm provides for time and displacement controlled stretching. In one embodiment of the invention, viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are separated by a distance from one another ranging from 20 cm to 30 cm. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  may have a thickness equal or greater than the thickness of the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125 . In one example, the thickness of the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125  ranges from 8 mm to 15 mm, and the thickness of the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  range from 8 mm to 15 mm. The dimensions of each viscoelastic member  130  and  135  may range from a length of 30 cm to 40 cm and a width of 12 cm to 16 cm. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are a pair of viscoelastic members that are disposed on opposite ends of the active support cushion device  100 . It should be noted that while a pair of viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are shown, other examples may include more than two viscoelastic members  130  and  135 . In one example, each viscoelastic member  130  and  135  may comprise multiple individual viscoelastic members. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are attached to the first material member  120  and the second material member  125  via adhesive, heat welding, molding, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  and the first material layer and the second material layer are formed as a single unit. In one example, the first material layer and the second material layer have a varying thickness that ranges from 8 mm to 20 mm. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the material wall  110  comprises synthetic fiber material made from a polymer containing polyurethane, such as SPANDEX®, cotton-lycra blends, polypropylene-SPANDEX® blends, or other similar materials. In other embodiments of the invention, the material wall is non-elastic. In one example, the material wall  110  interacts with the first material layer  120  including viscoelastic members  130  and  135  and the second material layer  125  including viscoelastic members  130  and  135  to actively support a user&#39;s anatomy (e.g., a head) when placed on the active support cushion device  100 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the active support cushion device  100  may include a third material layer  140  and a fourth material layer  145 . In one example, the third material layer  140  may comprise desired material for covering the first material layer  120 , and the fourth material layer  145  may comprise desired material for covering the second material layer  125 . In one example, the desired material may include cotton, silk, cheese cloth, synthetic materials, etc. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a top view of the first material layer  120  including viscoelastic members  130  and  135  of the active support cushion device  100 , according to an embodiment of the invention having cross-sectional lines  6 - 6  and  7 - 7 .  FIG. 2B  shows an exploded view of the first material layer  120  including viscoelastic members  130  and  135  and the second material layer  125  including viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125  mirror one another. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front cross sectional view of the active support cushion device  300  shown through line  7 - 7  ( FIG. 2A ), according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the active support cushion device  300  includes a fill material  310 . In one example, the fill material  310  may comprise feathers, synthetic feathers, cotton, wool, foam, latex, polyester, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, cellulose, organic materials, husks/hulls (e.g., buckwheat, bean sprout, millet, kapok, etc.), polyoleen, inorganic materials, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the fill material  310  is surrounded with a protection material or disposed in a protective bag. In one example, the protective covering or bag prevents a portion of the fill material  310 , such as feather quills or other feather portions, from protruding through the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125 . 
     In one example, the fill material  310  fills the volume between the first material layer  120  with viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , the second material layer  125  with viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , and the elastic wall  110 .  FIG. 4  shows a side cross sectional view of the active support cushion device  300  shown through line  6 - 6  ( FIG. 2A ), according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     Because the first material layer  120  includes the viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , the upper surface of the first material layer has regions of varying flexibility or stretching characteristics. In one example, the elastic wall  110  reacts to an applied force (e.g., from weight of a user&#39;s head) due to the elastic characteristics surrounding the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125  of the active support cushion device  300 . In one embodiment of the invention, the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135  are laminated foam-to-foam to restrict the stretching of the first material layer  120  and add a “floating” effect on the interior fill. The shape of viscoelastic members  130  and  135  directly effect how and where the elastic configuration is effected. This also has an effect on the degree of tension that pulls the elastic wall  110 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the amount of fill material  310  used controls the depth that a person&#39;s head sinks into the center of the support cushion device  300  and comes to rest. In one example, a first volume of fill material  310  controls the depth that a person&#39;s head sinks into the center of the support cushion device  310  to 5 to 6 cm. In other examples, a volume of fill material  310  is used to control the depth a person&#39;s head sinks into the center of the support cushion device  300  to 3 to 4 cm, or 2 to 3 cm. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side cross-sectional view along line  6 - 6  ( FIG. 2A ) of the active support cushion device  300  showed with a head  510  lying in a side position on the active support cushion device  300 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The dashed line  520  represents the stretched position of the first material layer  120  after the head  510  is placed on top of the active support cushion device  300 . 
     In one example, the weight of the head  510  stretches the first material layer  120  toward the center of the active support cushion device  300  and the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  control the stretching while the active wall  110  acts bi-directionally to add support by pushing and pulling back on opposite sides as it attempts to return to the original state. A portion of the second material layer  125  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135  is stretched upward due to the weight of the head  510  and opposing forces of the first material layer  120 , the second material layer  125 , the viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , and the elastic wall  110  attempting to return to their unstretched state. The active support cushion device  300  including the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  in conjunction with the active wall  110  dynamically controls the speed of the resistance to the weight of the head  510 . The structure of the active wall  110  acts as the springs and frame of a trampoline with the first material layer  120  and second material layer  125  being the cradling surface, which work in concert not only to one another but to the fill material  310  they trap inside between them. The fill material  310  compresses and moves away from the opposing forces of the head  510  filling and expanding against the memory retentive materials. This creates a balloon like material filling into spaces such as the neck and jaw area of a user. 
     Each material of the elements of the active cushion device  300  has a different bi-directional stretch and memory speed comes into play as it reacts to the size, shape and position of the head  510 . The speed and resistance against the forces and speed and retuning memory affect the feel of the user&#39;s movements and the anatomical positioning once the muscles are relaxed and gravity is in control. The active cushion device  300  provides a user with a sensation like they are floating in a liquid-like state without any wave action, but with the suspended cradled support floating the head  510  in any sleeping position. The materials displaced by the head  510  that are ballooning and squeezing into unfilled areas provide a uniform support that conforms to the irregular shapes of the head  510 , neck and jaw. The opposing forces of the active wall  110  and the viscoelastic foam effected by the heat and weight of the head  510  results in a predictable speed of resistance and return, as well as the depth of the resting place the position of the head  510  resides. 
       FIG. 6  shows a rear cross-sectional view along line  7 - 7  ( FIG. 2A ) of the active support cushion device  300  showed with a head  510  lying in a supine position on the active support cushion device  300 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The dashed line  610  represents the depth and outline of the head  510  in the middle portion of the active support cushion device  300 . The dashed line above the dashed line  610  represents the stretched position of the first material layer  120  after the head  510  is placed on top of the active support cushion device  300 . In one example, the weight of the head  510  stretches the first material layer  120  toward the center of the active support cushion device  300  and the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  control the stretching while the active wall  110  acts bi-directionally to add support by pushing and pulling back on opposite sides as it attempts to return to the original state. The dashed lines next to the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  represent the stretched position of the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  when the head  510  is placed on the active support cushion device  300 . Because the first material layer  120  and the viscoelastic members  130  and  135  of the active support cushion device  300  do not form a thick block of viscoelastic foam, the materials can only stretch under the force of the weight and temperature of the head  510 . This causes the first material layer  120  to stretch and bend down into the underlying fill  310  material unrestricted by the bidirectional fabrics of the active wall  110  surrounding the viscoelastic foam sheeting of the first material layer, the second material layer and the viscoelastic members  130  and  135 . 
     The opposing forces of the active wall  110  and the first material layer  120 , second material layer and respective viscoelastic members  130  and  135  effected by the heat and weight of the head  510  result in a predictable speed of resistance and return as well as the depth of the resting place that the position of the head  510  resides. With the bi-directional active wall  110  along with the bi-directional memory retentive viscoelastic foam of the first material layer  120 , second material layer  125  and respective viscoelastic members  130  and  135  reacting to the shape, size, weight and temperature of the head  510 , the opposing forces of the memory retentive viscoelastic foam verses the anatomical position have a direct interplay with the distance the center of the head  510  has to the circumference of the active wall  110 . This acts much like the effect one achieves when bouncing in the center of a trampoline or nearer the edge of the springs at the trampoline&#39;s circumference. 
       FIG. 7  shows a comparison of the head  510  positions on the active support cushion device  300  in a supine position ( FIG. 6 ) and a side position ( FIG. 5 ), according to an embodiment of the invention. When the head  510  is in this supine position ( FIG. 6 ) the radius of the cranium makes the foot print on the cushion device  300  smaller than if the cranium was on its side. To achieve a preferred cervical curve the cranium needs to come to a deeper resting position when lying on ones back. In the center position between viscoelastic members  130  and  135  as illustrated  FIG. 6 , the cranium can maximize the center of the “trampoline” to stretch to its furthest point.  FIG. 5  shows the result of a person that has rolled into a side sleeping position. This anatomical movement roles the cranium onto the side of the face and away from the center of the cushion device  300 . Once a rolling of the head  510  occurs, this places the head  510  above the viscoelastic members  130  or  135 , which restricts the stretching of the first material layer  120 . This position is also closer to the active wall  110 . In combination with the reduced ability to stretch and the additional floating effect of the viscoelastic members  130  or  135  layers of the cushion device  300  along with the greater pull of the active wall  110  causes the head  510  to come to rest at a higher depth than in the area between the viscoelastic members  130  or  135  layers of the cushion device  300 . 
       FIG. 8A  shows a top view of an upper portion of an active support cushion device  100 / 300  at a resting state, according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8B  shows a top view of the upper portion of the active support cushion device  100 / 300  of  FIG. 8A  shown with an applied force in the direction of the arrow, according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8A  illustrates the difference the sheet of viscoelastic foam including the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135  stretches at its center and edges.  FIG. 8A  illustrates the assumption that the circumference is affixed to the active wall  110  bi-directional fabric as a means of applying an opposing force at the circumference of the viscoelastic foam sheeting of the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135 . The circles are further apart the farther the distance is from the outside edges of the sheet where it attaches to the active wall  110  once a force is applied to the viscoelastic foam sheeting of the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135 . This trampoline effect is shown by  FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B , and  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
       FIG. 9A  shows a bottom view of the upper portion of an active support cushion device  100 / 300  at a resting state, according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 9B  shows a bottom view of the upper portion of the active support cushion device  100 / 300  of  FIG. 9A  shown with an applied force in the direction of the arrow  820 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  shows a front cross sectional view along line  7 - 7  of an active support cushion device  1000  including a firming fill element  1010 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the firming fill element  1010  may comprise a fiberfill/polyfill or similar material. In one embodiment of the invention, the firming fill element is centered in the fill  310  so as to be equidistant from the first material layer  120  and the second material layer  125 . In one example, the firming fill  1010  may comprise one or more integral members that span the length and width of the active support cushion device  1000 . In another example, the firming fill material may be dispersed unequally within the fill  310 . In one example, a suspension fill material  1020  is dispersed with the fill  310  for reducing or preventing the fill  310  materials from clumping together. In one example, the suspension fill material  1020  may include fiber material, wool material, foam material, etc. In one example, the suspension fill material  1020  separates the fill  310  materials or elements from sticking together, which allows the fill  310  material to remain fluffed. Other examples of fill  310  include natural matting or batting material, a bladder that fills with an air, liquid or gel, etc. 
     In one example, the suspension fill material  1020  is used in between the fill  310  to suspend and create a “loft” effect. The suspension fill material  1020  creates an artificial feather and down relationship in combination that acts as a memory retentive fill material that has a mixing of a material that keeps the memory retentive balls of the suspension fill material  1020  from congregating together and can control the loft of the overall fill of the cushion device  1000 . The combined fill  310  and suspension fill material  1020  creates a same relationship that natural feathers and down feathers have in combination, where the feather acts as a separating layer between down feathers. The down gives a loft to the combination while the feathers give a separating suspending agent to the mixture. In one example, the suspension fill material  1020  comprises a microfiber synthetic ball combined with shredded plastic sheeting that may be mixed in different ratios to control the speed of compression and speed of return of the fill material  310 . The combination has two aspects: 1) to control the durometer of the fill  310 ; and 2) to keep the balls of memory retentive material from congregating together and filing the interior space with non-memory retentive material in combinations. This mixture of small balls of synthetic microfiber poly fill separated by small shredded very thin plastic sheeting can control the overall thickness and density of the cushion device  1000 . The combination of the fill material  310  being incased in the bi-directional balloon like enclosure of the cushion device  1000  will be displaced by the forces of a body part and push against the inside surfaces of bi-directional fabrics and viscoelastic foam to push those surfaces outwardly for filling in and around the irregular shapes of the human anatomy. 
       FIG. 11A  shows a rear view of an active support cushion device  100 / 300 / 1000  including a cushion cover  1110 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the cushion cover  1110  includes a means for opening/closing  1120  the cushion cover  1110 . The means for opening/closing  1120  the cushion cover  1110  may comprise a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, magnets, etc. The cushion cover  1110  may be made of any desirable material, such as silk, cotton, synthetic and natural blended fiber, wool, etc. The means for opening/closing  1120  the cushion cover  1110  allows for removal/insertion of an active support cushion device  100 / 300 / 1000  for replacement, cleaning of the cushion cover  1110 , etc.  FIG. 11B  shows a front view of the active support cushion device  100 / 300 / 1000  including a cushion cover  1110  shown in  FIG. 11A . 
     The above described embodiments including the active support cushion device  100 / 300 / 1000  use the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , and the second material layer  125  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135  properties in a lateral direction, which “suspends” a user&#39;s head (regardless of head weight) even while turning. The properties of the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , and the second material layer  125  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135  to create consistent comfort, without resistance into material of the first material layer  120  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135 , and the second material layer  125  and viscoelastic members  130  and  135 . The fill  310  adds a comfort layer (soft substrate), which supports a user&#39;s head allows ventilation through the fill material  310  and the material wall  110 . The ventilation prevents heat build-up. The net effect is that the use of the active support cushion device  100 / 300 / 1000  feels as though a user&#39;s head is “floating” with support underneath allowing natural relaxation of the neck and head muscles. The active support cushion device  100 / 300 / 1000  may be used as for all sleeping positions with the same or similar result. 
       FIG. 12  shows a top view of an extended active support cushion device  1200 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the active support cushion device  1200  includes a first material layer  1210 , viscoelastic members  1220  and  1225  and an extended center portion  1230  of the first material layer  1210 . In one example, the active support cushion device  1200  includes upper and lower viscoelastic members  1220  and  1225  disposed on an upper layer and lower layer of the extended center portion  1230 . In one example, the active support cushion device  1200  is similar as the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and described above. This embodiment of the support cushion device  1200  is similar in aspects as the cushion device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  except for having a mirrored kidney bean shape so that the support cushion device  1200  can be used from either side and does not have to be turned around to position under a user&#39;s neck and shoulders properly. The support cushion device  1200  also provides an appearance similar to standard cushions having a rectangle shape as to fill a standard pillowcase. In one example, the support cushion device  1200  has a shape of two overlapping cushion devices  100  ( FIG. 1 ) with kidney bean like shapes so both sides are equal in the shape. In one example, the support cushion device  1200  is more advantageous than the cushion device  100  for a person that desires to sleep on their stomach. 
       FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of an active support cushion device  1300  including a cushion cover  1310 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example the cushion cover  1310  includes a means for opening/closing  1320  the cushion cover  1310 . The means for opening/closing  1320  the cushion cover  1310  may comprise a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, magnets, etc. The cushion cover  1310  may be made of any desirable material, such as silk, cotton, synthetic and natural blended fiber, wool, etc. The means for opening/closing  1320  the cushion cover  1310  allows for removal/insertion of an active support cushion device  1200  for replacement, cleaning of the cushion cover  1310 , etc. 
       FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of an active support cushion device  1400 , according to one embodiment of the invention. In one example, the active support cushion device  140  includes a first material layer  1430  and a material wall  1440  that surrounds the first material layer  1430 . In one example, the first material layer  1430  comprises a viscoelastic material, such as memory foam, polyurethane foam, or other similar material. In one embodiment of the invention, the first material layer  1430  includes viscoelastic members  1425  and  1420  that are coupled to a top and a bottom of the first material layer  1430 , respectively. In one example, the viscoelastic material comprises memory foam or other similar material. 
     In one example, the first material layer  1430  has a curved shape. In another example, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  may have a curved or tear-drop shape that mirrors one another. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  are displaced a predetermined distance from edges of the material wall  1440 . In one example, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  are displaced a distance ranging from 10 mm to 20 mm from the edges of the material wall  1440 . In one example, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  a positioned a predetermined distance from the material wall  1440  ranging from 20 mm to 40 mm. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  may have a thickness equal or greater than the thickness of the first material layer  1430 . In one example, the thickness of the first material layer  1430  ranges from 8 mm to 15 mm, and the thickness of the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  range from 8 mm to 15 mm. The dimensions of each viscoelastic member  1420  and  1425  may range from a length of 30 cm to 40 cm, and a width of 12 cm to 16 cm. In one embodiment of the invention, viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  are separated by a distance from one another ranging from 20 cm to 30 cm. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  are a pair of viscoelastic members that are disposed on opposite ends of the active support cushion device  1400 . It should be noted that while a pair of viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  are shown, other examples may include more than two viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425 . In one example, each viscoelastic member  1420  and  1425  may comprise multiple individual viscoelastic members. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  are attached to the first material member  1430  via adhesive, heat welding, molding, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  and the first material layer  1430  are formed as a single unit. In one example, the first material layer  1430  has a varying thickness that ranges from 8 mm to 20 mm. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the material wall  1440  comprises synthetic fiber material made from a polymer containing polyurethane, such as Spandex®, cotton-lycra blends, polypropylene-Spandex® blends, or other similar materials. In other embodiments of the invention, the material wall is non-elastic. In one example, the material wall  1440  interacts with the first material layer  1430  including viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  to actively support a user&#39;s anatomy (e.g., a head) when placed on the active support cushion device  1400 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the active support cushion device  1400  may include a second material layer  1410  and a third material layer  1415 . In one example, the second material layer  1410  may comprise desired material for an outer upper covering of the active support cushion device  1400 , and the third material layer  1415  may comprise desired material for an outer lower cover of the active support cushion device  1400 . In one example, the desired material may include cotton, silk, cheese cloth, synthetic materials, etc. 
       FIG. 15  shows a perspective view a cushion device  1400  including first material layer  1430  and viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  centered between the material wall  1440 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the first material layer coupled with the viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  may be offset from the center of the material wall  1440 . In one example, the arrangement of the first material layer  1430  and viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  centered between the material wall  1440  control the timing aspect of flexing of the first material layer  1430  and viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  and the retracting/pulling by the material wall  1440  in response to a force being applied to the cushion device  1400  from a person&#39;s anatomy (e.g., a person&#39;s head). 
       FIG. 16  shows a front cross sectional view of the active support cushion device  1600 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the active support cushion device  1600  includes a fill material  1610 . In one example, the fill material  1610  may comprise feathers, synthetic feathers, cotton, wool, foam, latex, polyester, EVA foam, cellulose, organic materials, husks/hulls (e.g., buckwheat, bean sprout, millet, kapok, etc.), polyoleen, inorganic materials, etc. In one example, the fill material  1610  fills the volume above a top portion and below a bottom portion of the first material layer  1430  with viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425 , and the elastic wall  1440 . In one example, the protective covering or bag prevents a portion of the fill material  1610 , such as feather quills or other feather portions, from protruding through the second material layer  1410  and the third material layer  1415 . 
     The above described embodiments including cushion device  1400 / 1600  use the first material layer  1430  and viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  properties in a lateral direction, which “suspends” a user&#39;s head (regardless of head weight) even while turning. The properties of the first material layer  1430  and viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425  create consistent comfort, without resistance into material of the first material layer  1430  and viscoelastic members  1420  and  1425 . The fill  1610  adds a comfort layer (soft substrate), which supports a user&#39;s head allows ventilation through the fill material  1610  and the material wall  1440 . The ventilation prevents heat build-up. The net effect is that the use of the cushion device  1400 / 1600  feels as though a user&#39;s head is “floating” with support underneath allowing natural relaxation of the neck and head muscles. The cushion device  1400 / 1600  may be used as for all sleeping positions with the same or similar result. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, similar cushion device to the active support cushion devices  100 / 300 / 1000  and the cushion devices  1400 / 1600  may be designed and configured for use in wheel chair cushions and portions of a mattress system. 
     In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description. 
     Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.