Patent Publication Number: US-2004040692-A1

Title: Cushion

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a cushion providing heat exchange between the user and the liquid contained in the cushion.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] It is common to use air conditioners, heating devices, etc to adjust the temperature suitable to the user. A simple cushion has been proposed to replace the conventional appliances that consume considerable electricity. The cushion is filled with hot or cold water to provide heat exchange between the user and the water contained in the cushion. Taiwan Utility Model Application No. 82213293 discloses an improved cushion comprising upper and lower waterproof rubber pieces that are seamed together by high frequency waves along four edges thereof. Meanwhile, high frequency wave molds are provided to form two fluid receiving systems in the cushion. The fluid receiving systems are isolated from each other. After filling of water into the cushion through two separate inlets of the cushion, plugs are provided to seal the cushion. The user may lie down on the cushion filled with water. However, the user could not immediately benefit the heat exchange provided by the hot or cold water, as the heat exchange rate is low.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a cushion providing rapid heat exchange between the user and the liquid contained in the cushion.  
       [0006] A cushion in accordance with the present invention comprises a metal plate and a container. The metal plate includes a plurality of positioning members projecting from a periphery thereof. The container includes an upper piece and a lower piece that together define an interior space therebetween. An inlet is defined in the lower piece, allowing filling of liquid into the interior space. The positioning members extend into the interior space of the container and are integrally formed with the container such that the positioning members are fixed to the container.  
       [0007] Since the positioning members of the metal plate extends into the container and since the metal plate is made of a material having a high conductivity. Heat exchange occurs rapidly between the liquid in the container and the user when the user lies down or sits on the cushion. Further, since the metal plate includes several rows of through-holes that are communicated with the air channels defined in the upper piece of the container. A ventilation effect is provided, which also aids in the heat exchange between the liquid and the user.  
       [0008] Other objects, specific advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferable embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cushion in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cushion in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a side view of a valve of the cushion in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0012] A preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     [0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cushion in accordance with the present invention generally includes a metal plate  1  and a container  2 . The metal plate  1  is a plate  10  made of copper, silver, etc having an excellent thermal conductivity. A plurality of rows of through-holes  11  are provided in the metal plate  1  for ventilation purpose. A plurality of positioning members  12  project from a periphery of the metal plate  1 .  
     [0014] The container  2  may be of a conventional design consisting of an upper waterproof rubber piece and a lower waterproof rubber piece that are seamed together by high frequency waves along four edges thereof. Alternately, the container  2  includes an upper piece  21  and a lower piece  22  that are seamed together in a mold by high frequency waves. Before applying the high frequency waves, the metal plate  1  is placed in the mold with the positioning members  12  extending into an interior space between the upper piece  21  and the lower piece  22  (see FIG. 2). Thus, the metal plate  1  is integrally formed with the container  2 .  
     [0015] The upper piece  21  includes a plurality of parallel ribs  211 , thereby defining air channels  212  between the ribs  211  and outside the two outermost ribs  211 . The air channels  212  of the upper piece  21  are communicated with the through-holes  11  of the metal plate  1 .  
     [0016] The lower piece  22  includes an inlet  221  and a valve  222  mounted to the inlet  221 , allowing filling of fluid into the interior space between the upper piece  21  and the lower piece  22 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the valve  222  includes a tube  223  having an opening  225  that provides communication between outside and the interior space of the container  2 . Liquid L having a high conductivity coefficient (such as water) may be filled into the interior space of the container  2  through the opening  225 . The valve  222  further includes a one-way diaphragm  226  for preventing the liquid L from flowing out of the container  2  and a plug  224  for plugging the opening  225  of the valve  222  after filling of liquid L.  
     [0017] Since the positioning members  12  of the metal plate  1  extends into the container  2  and since the metal plate  1  is made of a material having a high conductivity, heat exchange occurs rapidly between the liquid L in the container  2  and the user when the user lies down or sits on the cushion. Further, since the metal plate  1  includes several rows of through-holes  11  that are communicated with the air channels  212  defined in the upper piece  21  of the container  2 , a ventilation effect is provided, which also aids in the heat exchange between the liquid L and the user.  
     [0018] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.