Patent Publication Number: US-10765219-B1

Title: Lounger having a pneumatic lounging system

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The subject disclosure relates to a lounger, and more particularly, to a seat including a pneumatic lounging system. 
     Loungers, such as automotive seats, are designed to provide occupant support and massage capability. Some known designs include pneumatic systems that provide such capability, however, configuration and distribution of the system upon the seat is restrictive and limiting. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to design a pneumatic lounging system with greater design flexibility and/or versatility. 
     SUMMARY 
     A pneumatic lounging system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inflatable support unit and a first inflatable unit. The inflatable support unit includes an inward layer and an outward layer defining an air cavity. The outward layer is attached to the inward layer. The support air nozzle is attached and adapted to provide direct fluid communication of air with the air cavity. The first inflatable unit includes an inward wall, an outward wall, and an air nozzle. The inward and outward walls are define at least one air chamber and the inward wall is attached to the outward layer. The air nozzle is adapted to provide direct fluid communication of air with one of the at least one air chamber. The fluid communication of air with the air cavity is independent of the fluid communication of air with the at least one air chamber. 
     Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the first inflatable unit includes a plurality of stacked air cells each including an inward wall and an outward wall. The inward and outward walls of each air cell define an air chamber. A least one orifice is adapted to provide fluid communication between respective chambers of adjacent air cells of the plurality of stacked air cells. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, each orifice of the at least one orifice includes a first inner perimeter defining an opening in an outward wall of an inward air cell, and a second inner perimeter defining an opening in an inward wall of an adjacent outward air cell. The first and second perimeters are attached, and the openings are aligned, to provide fluid communication between the inward and outward air cells. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first inflatable unit is accordion-like. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first inflatable unit is a first inflatable massage unit. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, an outer perimeter segment of the inward wall and an outer perimeter segment of the outward wall of each air cell of the plurality of air cells are attached forming a continuous outer perimeter seam. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, an outer perimeter portion of the inward layer and an outer perimeter portion of the outward layer are attached forming an outer perimeter layer seam. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, an outer perimeter segment of the inward wall and an outer perimeter segment of the outward wall of each air cell of the plurality of air cells are attached forming an outer perimeter wall seam. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the outer perimeter layer seam is sonic welded, and the inward and outward layers are made of resiliently pliable plastic. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, further comprising a second inflatable unit including an inward wall, an outward wall, and an air nozzle. The inward wall and the outward wall define at least one air chamber, and the inward wall is attached to the outward layer. The air nozzle is adapted to provide direct fluid communication of air, with one of the at least one air chamber. There is no fluid communication between the inflatable support unit and the second inflatable unit. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first and second inflatable units are inflatable massage units. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the inflatable support unit is a shoulder support unit and the first and second inflatable massage units are left and right side massage units. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, further comprising an automotive seat structure adapted to support the inflatable support unit. 
     An automotive seat according to another embodiment includes a seat structure, an inflatable support unit, and a first inflatable unit. The inflatable support unit is adapted to adjustably support at least one of a lumbar, a neck, and a shoulder. The first inflatable unit includes an inward wall, an outward wall, and an air nozzle. The inward wall and an outward wall define at least one air chamber and the inward wall is directly attached to the inflatable support unit. The air nozzle is adapted to provide, direct fluid communication of air with one of the at least one air chamber. There is no fluid communication between the inflatable support unit and the first inflatable unit. 
     Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the automotive seat further includes a second inflatable unit laterally spaced from the first inflatable unit. The second inflatable unit includes an inward wall, an outward wall, and an air nozzle. The inward and outward walls define at least one air chamber, and the inward wall is directly attached to the inflatable support unit. The air nozzle is adapted to provide direct fluid communication of air with, one of the at least one air chamber, wherein there is no fluid communication between the inflatable support unit and the second inflatable unit. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first and second inflatable units are massage units. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the inflatable support unit is an adjustable shoulder support unit. The first inflatable massage unit is generally a left shoulder massage unit. The second inflatable massage unit is generally a right shoulder massage unit. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first and second inflatable units are each accordion-like including a plurality of stacked air cells each defining an air chamber. At least one orifice is positioned between adjacent air cells of the plurality of stacked air cells for fluid communication between chambers. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the plurality of stacked air cells include an inward air cell attached to the inflatable support unit, and an outward air cell attached to and in fluid communication with the inward air cell. 
     In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the inflatable support unit includes an inward layer, an outward layer and a support air nozzle. The inward and outward layers define an air cavity. The support air nozzle is in fluid communication with the air cavity for the flow of air. The inward walls of each one of the first and second inflatable units are attached to the outward layer. 
     The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial front view of a lounger illustrated as an automotive seat and with portions removed to show portions of a pneumatic lounging system of the lounger; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial back view of the lounger with portions removed to show portions of the pneumatic lounging system; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section of an inflatable support unit and two inflatable massage units of the pneumatic lounging system taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is an unassembled perspective view of the inflatable support unit and the two inflatable massage units. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a lounger, or seat,  20 . The seat  20  includes a seat back support structure  22  and a pneumatic lounging system  24 . In one example, the lounger or seat  20  may be an automotive seat. In other applications, the lounger may be a recliner, a couch, an office chair a bed, or any other device or furniture having ergonomic attributes and wherein a user may lounge. 
     In one embodiment, the pneumatic lounging system  24  is attached to, and at least in-part, is supported by, the seat back support structure  22 . In one example, the system  24  includes at least one compressor  26  (i.e., air pump), at least one series, or banks, of valves (i.e., illustrated as two banks of valves  28 A,  28 B, see  FIG. 2 ), at least one inflatable support unit  30 , inflatable massage units (i.e., illustrated as two pluralities of inflatable massage units  32 ,  34 , see  FIG. 1 ) and a controller  35 . In another embodiment, the pneumatic lounging system  24  may also be supported by, or exclusively supported by a base portion (i.e., a base structure) of the seat  20  (not shown) for ergonomically supporting and/or massaging the legs of an occupant. It is contemplated and understood that the banks of valves  28 A,  28 B may be sorted in any variety of other ways, and located in any variety of locations including remotely from the seat  20 . In this and other embodiments, the inflatable massage units  32 ,  34  may be generally referred to as “inflatable units” adapted to provide any variety of functions that may, or may not, include massaging. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the valves  28 A,  28 B may be supported at a rear side  36  of the seat structure  22 . The bank of valves  28 A are contained within a common housing  38  at a left side of the rear side  36 , and the bank of valves  28 B are contained within a common housing  39  at a right side of the rear side  36 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inflatable support unit  30  is located at, and may be supported by, a front side  42  of the structure  22 . In one embodiment, the inflatable support unit  30  is generally located proximate to shoulder height of the occupant when seated. That is, the support unit  30  is located directly upon the front side  42  to support an upper thoracic region of the occupant. The inflatable support unit  30  may generally span from left to right, so that a single support unit  30  (i.e., having a single air chamber) can support both sides (i.e., left and right sides) of the upper thoracic region. It is further contemplated and understood that the inflatable support unit  30  may be located in other areas to ergonomically support other regions of the human body. 
     In one embodiment, the inflatable massage units  32  (i.e., five illustrated in  FIG. 1  as  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D,  32 E) are generally located at the front side  42  of the back support structure  22 , and are vertically aligned and spaced from one another. The massage unit  32 A is directly attached to, and supported by a left portion of the inflatable support unit  30 . The massage units  32 B,  32 C,  32 D,  32 E are spaced vertically beneath the massage unit  32 A and the support unit  30 , and may be directly attached and supported by the back support structure  22 . 
     The inflatable massage units  34  (i.e., five illustrated in  FIG. 1  as  34 A,  34 B,  34 C,  34 D,  34 E) are generally located at the front side  42  of the back support structure  22 , and are vertically aligned and spaced from one another. The massage unit  34 A is directly attached to, and supported by a right portion of the inflatable support unit  30 , and thus spaced right of the inflatable massage unit  32 A (i.e., laterally spaced from inflatable massage unit  32 A). The massage units  34 B,  34 C,  34 D,  34 E are spaced vertically beneath the massage unit  34 A and the support unit  30 , and may be directly attached and supported by the back support structure  22 . 
     When assembled, the inflatable massage units  32 ,  34  are spaced horizontally apart from one-another. In one embodiment, the inflatable massage units  32 A,  32 B and inflatable massage units  34 A,  34 B massage the upper thoracic region of the occupant at respective left and right areas of the region. The inflatable massage units  32 C,  32 D,  32 E and inflatable massage units  34 C,  34 D,  34 E massage a lower thoracic region of the occupant at respective left and right areas of the region. 
     The compressor  26  may be supported by the structure  22  and also located at the rear side  34 , or alternatively, may be remotely located and/or located beneath the seat  20 . A plurality of conduits  40  for the flow of air are routed between the banks of valves  28 A,  28 B, the inflatable massage units  32 A-E and massage units  34 A-E, the inflatable support unit  30  and the compressor  26 . More specifically, the compressor  26  provides compressed air directly to the banks of valves  28 A,  28 B via conduits  40  that may be dedicated for each bank. The bank of valves  28 A may include a dedicated valve for each inflatable massage unit  32 A-E with dedicated conduits  40  routed to the respective inflatable massage units. Similarly, the bank of valves  28 B may include a dedicated valve for each inflatable massage unit  34 A-E with dedicated conduits  40  routed to the respective inflatable massage units. Yet further, one of the banks of valves  28 A,  28 B, or a separate valve, may include a valve dedicated for the inflatable support unit  30 . 
     The controller  35  is configured to control the compressor  26  and the banks of valves  28 A,  28 B to controllably inflate and/or deflate the inflatable massage units  32 ,  34  and the inflatable support unit(s)  30  at controlled rates, flows and/or pressure. The controller  35  is an electronic controller and may include one or more processor (e.g., microprocessors) and one or more computer storage mediums that may be non-transitory. In one embodiment, the controller  35  may be one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), with an ASIC dedicated and integrated into each valve, or bank of valves. In other embodiments, the controller  35  may be attached to the back side  36  of the support structure  22 , and generally adjacent to the banks of valves  28 A,  28 B (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inflatable support unit  30  includes an air nozzle  44 , an inward layer  46  and an outward layer  48 . The inward layer  46  may be attached to the front side  42  of the support structure  22 . The inward and outward layers  46 ,  48  define boundaries of an air cavity  50 . The air nozzle  44  is adapted to provide fluid communication between a designated air conduit  40  and the air cavity  50  for inflation and/or deflation. In one embodiment, the inward layer  46  includes a circumferentially continuous, outer perimeter, portion  52 , and the outward layer  48  includes a circumferentially continuous, outer perimeter portion  54 . The two perimeter portions  52 ,  54  are attached, or otherwise adhered, to form a continuous perimeter seam  56 . 
     Each inflatable massage unit  32 A,  34 A includes a plurality of stacked air cells (i.e., two illustrated for each as  58 ,  60 ) and an air nozzle  62 . The air cell  58  is an inward air cell, and the air cell  60  is an outward air cell. Although not specifically illustrated, additional air cells may be located between cells  58 ,  60 . Each massage unit  32 A,  34 A is generally constructed to inflate and deflate similar to that of an accordion, and is thus accordion like. It is contemplated and understood that one or more of the massage units  32 B-E, and/or one or more of the massage units  34 B-E may also be accordion-like. 
     Inward air cell  58  includes an inward wall  64  and an outward wall  66 . In one embodiment, the inward wall  64  is attached, or otherwise adhered, directly to the outward layer  48  of the inflatable support unit  30 . The inward and outward walls  64 ,  66  define boundaries of an air chamber  68 . The outward air cell  60  includes an inward wall  70  and an outward wall  72 . In one embodiment, the inward wall  70  of cell  60  is directly attached to the outward wall  66  of cell  58 . The inward and outward walls  70 ,  72  define boundaries of an air chamber  74 . 
     The inward walls  64 ,  70  and the respective outward walls  66 ,  72  include respective outer perimeter segments  76 ,  78 . When the massage units  32 A,  34 A are fully assembled the outer perimeter segments  76 ,  78  are attached, or adhered, forming a circumferentially continuous outer perimeter seam  80  of each cell  58 ,  60 . 
     The outward wall  66  of the inward massage cell  58 , and the inward wall  70  of the outward massage cell  60  include respective inner perimeter segments  82 ,  84  spaced radially inward from the respective outer perimeter segments  78 ,  76 . The inner perimeter segments  82 ,  84  (i.e., or inner perimeters) are each circumferentially continuous and define respective openings  86 ,  88  (see  FIG. 4 ) communicating through the respective outward and inward walls  66 ,  70 . When the massage units  32 A,  34 A are fully assembled, the openings  86 ,  88  are aligned, and the inner perimeter segments  82 ,  84  are attached, or adhered. The inner perimeter segments  82 ,  84 , together, define boundaries of an orifice  90  that facilitates the flow of air between the chambers  68 ,  74 . 
     The layers  46 ,  48 , and walls  64 ,  66 ,  70 ,  72  may be made of resiliently pliable plastic. In one embodiment, the seams  56 ,  80  may be sonic welded seams. 
     In operation of the pneumatic lounging system  24 , the inflatable support unit  30  may inflate and deflate independent of the massage units  32 A,  34 A. More specifically, there is no direct fluid communication between the air cavity  50  of the support unit  30  and the air chamber  68  of the inward cell  58  of either massage units  32 A,  34 A. 
     In one embodiment, the air nozzle  62  of either massage units  32 A,  34 A may provide fluid communication directly between a designated conduit  40  and the air chamber  68  of the inward cell  58 . During operation, the rate of inflation and/or deflation of the inward cell  58  may be different than the rate of inflation of the outward cell  60 . Inflation and deflation rates between chambers may be dictated upon the design sizing of the orifice  90 , wall construction, and pressure placed upon the outward wall  72  of the outward cell  60  by an occupant. 
     Advantages and benefits of the present disclosure include a combined inflatable unit having both support and massage capability that operate independently from one-another. Other advantages include improved packaging and the ability to install the units on an A-side of seat foam, without bother with the B-side of foam. That is, the inflatable support unit need not be placed on the B-side of seat foam. 
     While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.