Patent Publication Number: US-2007110495-A1

Title: Conformable pod for a manual implement

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to improvements in user contact surfaces and related shape-conforming or biomorphic pods and grips for use with manually grasped implements and the like, such as a cooking vessel, hair brush, paint brush, sports racquet or bat, scissors or other hand tool, musical instrument, or virtually any other type of manually grasped device having a handle or related structure for manual grasping or engagement as by means of the hand or fingertips, or alternatively for contact and/or manipulation by a portion of the human body.  
      More specifically, this invention relates to an improved bioconforming or biomorphic pod for mounting onto an appropriate implement surface, and a related method of pod production, wherein the conformable pod incorporates a viscous and tacky gel material adapted for custom-fit shape deformation in response to a minimal applied inertia or pressure, and for substantially pressureless retention of the deformed shape until the pod is released by the user. When released, the pod exhibits a memory characteristic for subsequent relatively slow return to an initial nondeformed shape.  
      Manual implements generally incorporate a handle or related structure having a size and shape for appropriate manual grasping and manipulation of the implement during normal intended use. In one common form, the handle structure comprises an elongated rigid element having one end securely connected to the implement, such as a cooking pot or pan, a hair brush, a tool head, etc. In another common form, the manual implement is normally grasped directly about the body thereof, such as in the case of writing and other marking instruments, baseball and softball bats, etc. Other manual implements are adapted for fingertip manipulation and thereby include one or more keypads for fingertip depression, e.g., keyboards, musical instruments such as a clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and the like. Still other manual implements incorporate handle-like structures of alternative or complex shapes, such as circular structures adapted for finger or fingertip insertion to manipulation the implement, e.g., scissors and shears, and the like. In this regard, a variety of improved grips and the like have been developed in recent years for use with such manual implements, primarily to provide a relatively soft and resilient grip structure for enhanced user comfort and/or improved control of the manual implement during normal use thereof.  
      In the past, grip structures for relatively large manual implements such as sports equipment, hand tools, cookware, and hair brushes and the like have generally been limited to relatively soft and resilient rubber or rubber-like elastomer sleeves or sleeve-like wraps mounted onto the implement handle. While such grip structures beneficially provide a degree of cushioning for improved user comfort, the relative deformation of such grip structures during normal use is inherently limited. In particular, such cushioned grip structures are generally incapable of significant shape deformation, and thus have generally not provided a high degree of shape deformation needed to assume a customized ergonomical shape conforming closely to the anatomical contours of an individual user&#39;s hand and/or fingers. Such customized ergonomic shape is beneficially conducive to substantially optimized user comfort with substantially minimized user fatigue, by providing anatomical pressure relief while enhancing manual dexterity and improving manual control of the related device or implement.  
      In relatively small manual implements such as writing instruments and the like, cushioned grip structures have been similarly provided in the form of resilient elastomer sleeves and the like. In some designs, an outer resilient sleeve encloses an internal cavity which is filled with a flowable substance such as a deformable putty or relatively viscous liquid adapted to displace and thereby achieve substantial shape deformation when the grip structure is manually grasped. With such deformable grip structures, the outer resilient sleeve can exhibit a relatively high stiffness in comparison with the deformable putty or flowable substance contained within the internal cavity, whereby a significant minimum applied pressure for grip deformation is defined by the structure of the outer sleeve and not by the flowable material contained within said outer sleeve. In this regard, the structural thickness and thus the stiffness of the outer sleeve is often increased with a view toward preventing or minimizing inadvertent sleeve puncture and resultant undesirable escape of the flowable material from the internal cavity. Increased sleeve stiffness is, of course, contrary to a desire to provide a significantly reduced and substantially minimized pressure threshold for initiating deformation of the deformable grip. Moreover, such grip structures having a flowable material encased within a resilient outer sleeve are difficult to manufacture and assemble.  
      Exemplary grip structures having a flowable material encased within an outer resilient sleeve or the like are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,000,599 and 6,647,582 and 6,725,505; U.S. Publication Nos. US2003/0123917; US2003/0051316; US 2004/0233169; and US 2004/0248063; and in copending U.S. Ser. Nos. 09/484,127, filed Jan. 15, 2000 and Ser. No. 10/678,148, filed Oct. 2, 2003.  
      There exists, therefore, a need for further improvements in and to deformable pods and grips of the type used with manual implements and the like, particularly wherein a pod or grip structure can be initially deformed to a customized ergonomic shape upon application of an extremely light and substantially minimal pressure, and thereafter retain the deformed shape in substantial conformance with the unique anatomical contours of a specific user, substantially without requiring further or continued application of pressure, followed by relatively slow return upon release of the pod or grip structure substantially to its initial non-deformed shape. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the invention, a conformable or biomorphic pod and related method of production are provided, wherein the pod defines a soft structure adapted for mounting onto a user-contacted surface of a manual implement or the like, and for shape deformation in response to minimal pressure applied thereto, i.e., by contact with some portion of the body including but not limited to the fingers, fingertips, and hands, and for retaining a deformed configuration substantially in the absence of continued application of manual pressure. The pod includes a viscous and tacky gel material encased or contained within a closed chamber or cavity defined at least in part by a relatively thin and easily deformed outer skin providing minimal deformation resistance to pod deformation and shape conformance to a substantially customized ergonomic shape conforming with the anatomical contours of the individual user. In a preferred form, the encased gel material is a coagulated or partially coagulated gel such as a silicone-based gel material adapted for deformation in response to minimal applied manual pressure, and for substantially pressureless retention of the as-deformed shape, followed by shape retention for a time delay period following user release (at least about two seconds or more) before relatively slow return (at least about four seconds or more) to an initial nondeformed shape.  
      A fastener element such as a pressure sensitive adhesive film is carried by the pod for stick-on attachment to a selected surface of a manual implement or the like. In one alternative form, the fastener element may comprise an elongated rim or rib carried by the pod and shaped for assembly as by clamped retention or the like between opposed structures forming the manual implement or the like.  
      In the preferred form, the gel material comprises a coagulated or partially coagulated or catalized gel or equivalent colloidal material such as a silicone-based gel material adapted for deformation in response to minimal applied pressure. This gel material can be relatively tacky or sticky and thereby adheres to the chamber-defining interior surfaces provided by the overlying pod skin. In one form, the highly deformable pod skin cooperates with a rear-side substrate which may comprise a thicker, less deformable material, to define the gel-containing chamber or cavity. The fastener element may be formed on or as part of, or otherwise connected to the substrate.  
      In use, when the conformable pod is mounted onto a manual implement or the like at a position for user contact during normal implement use, the outer skin is exposed for shape deformation in response to a relatively light or minimal applied manual or tactile pressure or the like. Such shape deformation of the outer skin is accompanied by a corresponding or conforming displacement of the gel material contained within the pod cavity, wherein this gel material tends to retain the deformed shape upon continued contact by the user but without requiring any significant continued application of manual or tactile pressure or the like. Thereafter, following user release of the pod, the gel material exhibits a memory characteristic causing the pod to initially retain the deformed shape following user release for a time delay period of at least about two seconds, and then return relatively slowly over a period of at least about four seconds to its initial nondeformed shape.  
      The conformable pod may be constructed by initially forming the outer skin as by injection, tumble, compression, or blow molding, or the like. The pod skin, in an inverted orientation, defines an open-sided chamber which is then substantially filled with the gel material, followed by closing and sealing the pod chamber with the substrate.  
      In one preferred form and method, the skin may incorporate a textured pattern and/or multiple folds in a corrugated configuration at one or more locations or zones for further reducing the requisite tactile force or the like required to deform the pod skin thereby displacing the contained gel material within the enclosed chamber. In this construction, the patterned or folded skin accommodates close control over the timing and/or direction of skin and resultant overall pod displacement. In a modified form, the patterned or folded skin zone or zones may each include a region of reduced or variable skin wall thickness. In each configuration, following user release, the gel material encased by the skin returns slowly to an initial, substantially nondeformed shape.  
      In one alternative preferred form, the deformable outer skin of the conformable pod can be shaped to define a plurality of elongated ribs formed generally in parallel relation and spaced apart by intervening troughs or valley of substantial depth. This deformable outer skin cooperates with a rear-side pod substrate which may comprises a thicker and/or less deformable material to define a closed chamber cavity that is filled or substantially filled with the gel material. In one form, one or more fasteners such as mounting bolts are anchored as by co-molding within the rear-side pod substrate and protrude rearwardly therefrom for quick and easy connection with an article or implement such as a chair structure, e.g., a chair seat or chair seatback. In use, a person sitting in the chair contacts the distal surfaces of the elongated ribs, resulting in displacement of the gel material within and between the pod ribs.  
      In one further alternative configuration, modified fasteners such as mechanical fasteners can be connected to a relatively stiff support strip formed from a suitable material and inserted as by co-molding within the pod generally at an inboard side of the rear-side pod substrate, with a portion of the fasteners protruding from or otherwise externally exposed at the rear side of the pod for mounting onto the selected article or implement. Alternative fasteners, e.g., magnet-type fasteners can be carried at the rear side of the pod for mounting onto the selected article or implement. Alternative fastening methods can also be used, such as co-molding of the selected article or implement directly to the rear side of the pod.  
      Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:  
      s FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a conformable pod for use with a manual implement or the like, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmented longitudinal sectional view taken generally on the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view illustrating an initial process step for constructing the pod of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view showing a subsequent process step for constructing the pod;  
       FIG. 5  is a enlarged and fragmented sectional view depicting a further process step for constructing the pod;  
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view showing the conformable pod installed onto a user-contacted surface of a manual implement or the like;  
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view similar to  FIG. 6 , but illustrating pod deformation in response to a manual force or the like applied thereto;  
       FIG. 8  is a fragmented perspective view of a plurality of conformable pods constructed in accordance with the present invention, and connected end-to-end to define an elongated tape or the like adapted for installation onto a manual implement or the like;  
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view similar to  FIG. 6 , but depicting one alternative preferred form of the invention;  
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view similar to  FIGS. 6 and 9 , but showing another alternative preferred form of the invention;  
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view similar to  FIGS. 6, 9  and  1   0 , but illustrating a further alternative preferred form of the invention;  
       FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of a pair of scissors incorporating a conformable pod constructed in accordance with another alternative preferred form of the invention;  
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view, show in partial section, of the conformable pod for use in the scissors depicted in  FIG. 12 ;  
       FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view showing installation of the pod of  FIG. 13  onto a pair of scissors;  
       FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view similar to  FIG. 14 , but showing an alternative mounting arrangement for installing the conformable pod onto a pair of scissors or the like;  
       FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of a chair including a plurality of conformable pods mounted thereon;  
       FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the chair shown in  FIG. 16 , and illustrating the multiple conformable pods in exploded relation with a chair structure defining a chair seat and seatback;  
       FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view of one of the conformable pods shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 ;  
       FIG. 19  is an enlarged fragmented sectional view taken generally on the line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 ;  
       FIG. 20  is an enlarged and partially exploded perspective view showing one preferred fastener for use in the conformable pod of  FIGS. 16-19 ;  
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the fastener shown in  FIG. 20 ; and  
       FIG. 22  is an enlarged fragmented sectional view illustrating connection of the conformable pod of  FIGS. 16-19  with the chair structure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMOBIDMENTS  
      As shown in the exemplary drawings, an improved conformable or biomorphic pod referred to generally in  FIGS. 1-7  by the reference numeral  10  is provided for use with a manually grasped implement  12  ( FIGS. 6-7 ) or the like. The conformable pod  10  is designed for placement onto a user-contacted surface of the implement  12  where the pod flexibly and resiliently changes shape in response to a relatively small or lightweight applied pressure such as a manual or tactile fingertip pressure or other bodily contact during normal use of the implement  12 , so that the pod  10  deformably absorbs energy while conforming geometrically to the unique and customized anatomical contours and particular grasping technique of an individual user. The improved pod  10  of the present invention further is designed to retain the deformed shape upon continuity of manual grasping or bodily contact, but without requiring further application of manual pressure or the like thereto, in combination with memory characteristics for subsequent relatively slow return to an initial nondeformed shape upon manual pressure release. As a result, the conformable pod  10  of the present invention provides anatomical pressure relief resulting in enhanced user comfort and reduced user fatigue otherwise attributable, e.g., to repetitive motion or constant muscular exertion in the act of grasping the pod in the course of implement manipulation. Such anatomical pressure relief is beneficially accompanied by improved user dexterity and control of the implement  12 .  
      The conformable pod  10  of the present invention may be used with a wide range of implements and devices designed or intended for contacting the human skin, particularly such as manually grasped implements including but not limited to items such as a cooking vessel, hair brush, paint brush, scissors, sports racquet or bat, hand tool, musical instrument, or virtually any other type of manually grasped device having a handle or related structure for manual grasping or engagement as by means of the hand or fingertips. In this regard, it will be understood that use herein of the term manual implement will include devices that are grasped, held, manipulated, or otherwise contacted by some portion of a user&#39;s body in the course of normal operation and/or use. The conformable pod  10  may be constructed in a wide range of different sizes and shapes, or combination of multiple pods assembled for mounting as a group, onto the handle structure or fingertip keypad structure or other selected user-contacted surface of the related manual implement or the like. In this regard, the pod  10  may be sized and shaped for mounting onto a flat surface, a curvilinear surface, or other geometric surfaces. In addition, the pod  10  may be construction in a cylindrical, sleeve-shaped configuration sized for slide-fit onto an implement handle or the like.  
      In accordance with a primary aspect of the invention, the conformable pod  10  incorporates a viscous and tacky gel or equivalent colloidal material  14  adapted for resilient deformation when subjected to manual or other bodily pressure. This gel material  14  is contained within a substantially closed chamber  16  defined at least in part by an outer skin  18  formed from a material, and having a thickness selected for minimal deformation resistance to applied lightweight manual or tactile pressure. Accordingly, the easily deformable skin  18  does not provide significant resistance to pod deformation, thereby enabling the encased gel material  14  to deform in response to minimal applied pressure.  
      Once deformed, the gel material  14  exhibits sufficient shape memory capacity for relatively slow return to its initial nondeformed shape following a time delay of at least about two seconds after release of the applied pressure. Accordingly, after deformation, the gel material retains its deformed shape upon continued user contact, but in a pressureless manner substantially without requiring further input of manual force or pressure to retain the pod  10  in the deformed shape. Following the post-release time delay, the gel material returns slowly over a period of at least about four seconds or more substantially to the initial nondeformed shape. In addition, in the event of inadvertent or accidental puncture of the outer skin  18 , the gel material  14  exhibits sufficient material integrity to prevent leakage outflow of the gel material from the pod interior.  
      As viewed in one preferred form in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the conformable pod  10  generally comprises an underlying substrate  20  of generally planar configuration, and which may be relatively thick, stiff, and/or resistant to easy deformation in comparison with the outer skin  18 . This substrate  20  is formed in a selected size and shape, such as the illustrative generally rectangular shape. A peripheral margin of the substrate layer  20  is joined as by suitable bonding with a peripheral lower edge  22  of an upstanding perimeter side wall  24  formed as a portion of the overlying skin  18 . This upstanding side wall  24  extends upwardly from the substrate  20  and is joined at its upper end to a face wall  26 . The assembled skin  18  (defined by the perimeter side wall  24  and the face wall  26 ) and substrate  20  cooperatively define the enclosed cavity or chamber  16  filled with the deformable gel material  14 . A fastener element  28  such as a film of pressure sensitive adhesive of the like is carried at the underside of the substrate  20  for quick and easy affixation of the assembled pod  10  onto a selected implement  12  ( FIGS. 6-7 ).  FIG. 2  illustrates a peel-off liner  30  of paper-based material or the like for exposing the fastener film  28  immediately prior to mounting of the conformable pod  10  onto the selected implement.  
      While the illustrative drawings show the conformable pod  10  to have a generally rectangular shape, persons skilled in the art will understand that numerous alternative pad configurations such as circular, oval, toroidal, cylindrical or sleeve-shaped, etc., may used. Moreover, persons skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that other types of fastener elements may be employed, such as Velcro-type fastener components, ribs or rims protruding from the substrate  20 , and the like.  
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate one preferred process for forming the conformable pod  10  of the present invention. As viewed in  FIG. 3 , the overlying skin  18  may be formed as by an injection molding process or the like wherein flowable skin-forming material is injected under pressure as illustrated by arrow  32  into a mold cavity  34  defined between a pair of separable upper and lower male and female mold dies  36  and  38 . In such molding step, the skin  18  is formed to have a selected overall size and shape, in combination with a selected, relatively thin wall thickness chosen for easy deformation with little and virtually no resistance in response to applied manual pressure. In one preferred form of the invention, the skin material comprises a thermoplastic resin such as a silicone-based or polyurethane elastomer having soft structure (preferred durometer of less than about 40-50 Shore A hardness), and preferably a thin wall thickness of the order of about 0.030 inch. As viewed in  FIG. 3 , the thus-molded skin  18  may include an integrally molded sprue  40  which is cut therefrom prior to subsequent process steps. Alternative production processes such as tumble, compression, and blow molding will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.  
      The upper male mold die  36  is then separated from the lower female die  38  having the molded skin  18  supported therein. In this configuration, the molded skin  18  is supported in an inverted orientation for facilitated pour-in reception of the gel material  14 , as illustrated by arrow  42  in  FIG. 4 . The molded skin  18  is substantially filled with the gel material, which preferably comprises a coagulated or partially coagulated or catalized gel such as a highly viscous and tacky silicone or polyurethane gel material wherein the molecules are believed to be attached but not firmly held thereby permitting relative movement in response to applied manual pressure. Importantly, the tacky or sticky character of the gel material causes the gel to adhere or stick intimately with the inboard or underside surface of the inverted molded skin  18 , but substantially without fusing or conjoining of the gel material  14  with the skin  18 . With a molded skin  18  formed from a suitable silicon-based film material, it is believed that a molecular attraction between the skin  18  and the gel material  14 , short of molecular bonding, effectively resists sliding displacement between the skin  18  and the gel  14  for enhanced pod displacement during use.  
      Exemplary gel materials include Silgel  612 , available from Wacker Chemical Corporation, Adrian, Mich., and ER 8015 GE TSE3053, both available from GE Silicones, Wilton, Mass. Importantly, such gel materials exhibit a memory characteristic whereby the material deformably responds to relatively lightweight or minimal applied pressure, but thereafter, following a time delay of at least about two seconds after user release, the gel material returns relatively slowly (over a period of at least five seconds or more) to its initial nondeformed shape. The gel material has a preferred penetration range of about 100-1,000 cm/sec., and preferably a precured viscosity range of about 500 cP (centepoids) to about 1,500 cP.  
       FIG. 5  shows a subsequent process step wherein the substrate  20  is formed as by pouring (as illustrated by arrow  44 ) a selected elastomer such as a silicone-based or polyurethane material over the gel material  14 , to cooperatively form the enclosed chamber  16  having the gel material sealingly encased therein. For this step, a containment die  46  may be assembled with the lower mold die  38  to retain the thus-poured liquid substrate-forming resin until it cures sufficiently in adhered, substantially sealed engagement with the peripheral edge  22  of the skin  18 . Then, the thus-assembled cushioned pad  10  can be removed from the mold die  38  and suitably assembled with the fastener element  28 , as previously described ( FIG. 2 ). A shallow textured pattern  48  ( FIG. 1 ) may be defined on the outboard surface of the face wall  26  to facilitate pod removal from the mold die  38 , if desired.  
       FIG. 6  shows the conformable pod  10  of the present invention installed onto a selected manual implement  12 , with the pod face wall  26  defined by the thin outer skin  18  presented outwardly for appropriate manual or fingertip contact or the like during use of the implement.  FIG. 7  shows deformable response to an applied force such as a manual or tactile force depicted by arrow  50 , namely, downward deformation of the thin outer skin  18  with minimal resistance for transferring the applied manual force to the gel material  14  contained within the enclosed chamber. As the gel material  14  deforms, the molecules thereof shift about within the chamber  18 , and adhere to the inboard surfaces of the skin and substrate  18  and  20 , while absorbing the applied energy. At the same time, the outwardly presented geometry of the skin  18  deformably conforms to the anatomical shape of the person&#39;s hand or fingertips or the like in contact with therewith. The result is a highly comfortable, substantially custom-fitted interface between the person&#39;s hand or fingertips and the manual implement, thereby reducing friction, irritation, and user fatigue particularly such as fatigue and/or injury associated with and/or attributable to repetitive motion and/or continuity of applied manual force over an extended period of time.  
      In accordance with one important aspect of the invention, the gel material  14  retains the deformed shape in a substantially pressureless manner, i.e., substantially without requiring the user to exert a deformation force for the purpose of holding and retaining the pod  10  in the desired custom-fitted geometry. Instead, the user can operate and/or manipulate the implement  12  in a secure, stable, and comfortable manner, without requiring continued exertion of additional forces to hold the pod  10  in the desired deformed shape. The gel material  14  maintains the deformed shape for at least a short delay period following release of the applied pressure therefrom. That is, the gel material  14  tends to retain the deformed shape for at least about two seconds or more, following release of the applied pressure, and thereafter returns slowly over a period of about four seconds or more to the initial nondeformed shape.  
       FIG. 8  shows one alternative form of the invention, wherein a plurality of individually formed conformable pods  10  as previously shown and described herein may be assembled as by means of a common substrate  20  to form an enlarged or elongated deformable grip or the like for mounting onto a selected manual implement or the like. Such enlarged or elongated deformable grip may be defined by interconnecting a single row of multiple pods  10  formed end-to-end as shown to defined an elongated tape-like structure adapted for wrapped installation, e.g., about the handle of a manual implement, such as wrapping about the handle of a golf club, baseball or softball bat, or tennis racquet or the like. Alternatively, such tape-like structure may be constructed with multiple rows of interconnected pods  10  to form a wider structure adapted for wrapped or other suitable mounting onto a manual implement or the like.  
      Additional alternative preferred forms of the invention are depicted in  FIGS. 9-11 , wherein a modified conformable pod is constructed generally as shown and described previously herein, but wherein the overlying skin is modified for further enhanced flexibility, i.e., further reduced resistance to deformation in response to a relatively small or lightweight applied pressure.  FIG. 9  shows a modified face wall  126  of the conformable pod to incorporate an array of shallow corrugations  60  designed to decrease resistance to deformation in response to an applied force as illustrated by arrow  62 .  FIG. 10  shows a modified side wall  124  to incorporate an array of shallow corrugations  64  designed to decrease resistance to deformation in response to an applied manual force as illustrated by arrow  66 .  FIG. 11  depicts a variation of  FIG. 10 , wherein corrugations  164  formed in a modified side wall  224  are associated with a variable wall thickness, i.e., the thickness of the side wall  224  is relatively thicker and thus relatively stiffer near the point of attachment with the substrate  20 , whereas the thickness of the side wall  224  progressively decreases and thus becomes thinner and more flexible in a direction toward the associated face wall  226 . With this construction, the overall resistance of the skin layer to an applied force as illustrated by arrow  68  is reduced. Alternative skin configurations may be employed wherein a relatively thick skin layer may incorporate an array or arrays of shallow grooves in virtually any pattern (as by molding or scoring) to accommodate enhanced flexibility in response to an applied force.  
       FIGS. 12-16  depict a further alternative preferred form of the invention including one or more modified conformable pods  110 , wherein components corresponding structurally and/or functionally with those previously shown and described herein are identified by common reference numerals increased by  100 . As shown, the modified pods  110  are constructed in a substantially ring-shaped or closed loop geometry for mounting onto a manual implement or the like such as the illustrative pair of scissors  70 . In this regard,  FIG. 12  shows a pair of pods  110  mounted on the scissors  70  for lining the inner diameter margins of closed loop openings  72  and  74  provided in a pair of scissors handles  76  and  78  for finger grasping and manipulation of a pair of scissors blades  80  and  82 . The conformable pods  110  lining these openings  72 ,  74  thus provide soft deformable structures for used contact during normal scissors usage.  
       FIG. 13  shows the conformable pod  110  comprising a closed loop or ring-shaped outer skin  118  having a generally circular cross sectional shape to define an enclosed chamber  116  filled substantially with a flowable material such as a gel or gel-like material  114  preferably exhibiting the deformation and memory characteristics described previously herein with respect to  FIGS. 1-11 . The outer skin  118  is joined to a substrate rim or rib  120  shown protruding generally radially outwardly from the circumference or outer periphery of the ring-shaped skin  118 . This substrate  120  may be constructed from the same material as the skin  118 , but with increased thickness, or from an alternative stiffer and/or harder material to provide a sturdy structure adapted for quick and easy mounting of the pod  110  onto the associated scissors handles  76  or  78 .  
       FIG. 14  shows the scissors handle  78  to be constructed from a pair of initially split-apart handle segments  78   a  and  78   b  adapted for assembly as by snap-fit and adhesive mounting in face-to-face relation with the protruding substrate rim  120  securely clamped therebetween.  FIG. 15  shows a variation in this mounting arrangement wherein a snap ring  84  is additionally provided for seating and locking the substrate rim  120  securely between the interfitting handle segments  78   a  and  78   b . In either assembly technique, the deformable pod  110  defined by the gel material  114  contained within the hollow skin ring  118  is positioned at the inner periphery, or inner diametric edge, of the associated handle opening  72 ,  74  wherein it is contacted by the user and compliantly deforms as previously described herein to provide the desired customized ergonomic shape. The peripheral rim  120  thus also functions as a fastener element for use in mounting the pod  110  onto the selected implement, it being understood that the ring-shaped pod  110  can be installed onto other types of implements conducive to a closed loop pod geometry.  
       FIGS. 16-22  illustrate another alternative preferred form of the invention including one or more modified conformable pods  310  and  310 ′, wherein components corresponding structurally and/or functionally with those previously shown and described herein are identified by common reference numerals increased by  200 . As shown best in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the modified pods  310  and  310 ′ are provided for mounting onto the support structure of a selected article or implement such as a chair  300 . Three of the modified pods  310  are shown mounted onto a front or user-contacted side of a support structure  312  such as chair seatback, whereas the modified pod  310 ′ comprises a single and larger conformable pod shown mounted onto the top or user-contacted side of a support structure  312 ′ such as a chair seat.  
      More particularly, each of the seatback pods  310  comprises a plurality of elongated raised ribs  86  extending generally in parallel and spaced-apart relation, and separated by intervening recessed troughs or valleys  87 . These seatback pods  310  are each shown mounted onto the chair seatback  312  with the ribs  86  and troughs  87  oriented to extend generally transversely or horizontally across the chair seatback. Three of the seatback pods  312  are shown mounted onto the seatback  312  in vertically spaced relation to each other. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that each seatback pod  310  can be constructed with any convenient number of elongated ribs  86  with intervening recessed troughs  87 . In this regard, the seat pod  310 ′ has a similar construction and is shown in the illustrative drawings with a larger number of elongated raised ribs  86  with intervening recessed troughs or valleys extending generally transversely across the chair seat  312 ′.  
       FIGS. 18-21  depict further construction details for one of the seatback pods  310 , but it will be understood that the seat pod  310 ′ has a similar construction. More specifically, the illustrative seatback pod  310  includes an outer skin  318  constructed from a relatively thin and easily deformed material (as previously shown and described herein with respect to  FIGS. 1-15 ) to incorporate a desired front-side or user-contacted side shape, namely, the elongated raised ribs  86  separated by the intervening recessed troughs  87 . This outer skin  318  defines a front side of an internal chamber or cavity  316  ( FIG. 19 ) that is filled or substantially filled with the viscous gel material  314 , again as previously shown and described herein. A rear side of this chamber or cavity  316  is closed as by means of a rear-side substrate  320 .  
      In accordance with one primary aspect of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16-21 , modified fasteners  328  such as mounting bolts  88  are anchored within the conformable pod  310  and protrude rearwardly from the rear-side substrate  320  for quick and easy mounting of the pod  310  onto a selected article or implement such as the chair seatback  312  or the like.  FIG. 18  shows these mounting bolts  88  protruding rearwardly from the rear-side substrate  320  in a predetermined array or pattern for quick and easy slide-fit reception rearwardly through pre-formed bolt holes  89  ( FIG. 17 ) formed in the chair seatback  312 . A similar array of bolt holes  89  is also formed in the chair seat  312 ′ for appropriate mounting of the seat pod  310 ′. Suitable nuts such as wing nuts  90  or the like ( FIG. 22 ) are provided for removably mounting the bolts  88  onto the structure, i.e., onto the chair seatback  312 .  
      Each of the mounting bolts  88  has a head portion  91  securely anchored to the associated conformable pod. As viewed best in one preferred form in  FIGS. 20-21 , the bolt head portion  91  may comprise a threaded nut  92  captured within a disk-shaped head housing  93  formed from a suitable plastic material, with one end of a threaded bolt shank  94  captured within said nut  92 . With this construction, the threaded bolt shank  94  protrudes outwardly from one side of the disk-shaped head housing ( FIG. 21 ). This mounting bolt unit  88  is adapted for secure anchored installation of the head portion  91  as by co-molding within a relatively stiff support strip or plate  95  ( FIG. 19 ) disposed at a rear side of the pod. As shown, this support strip  95  may be co-molded within the pod, generally at an inboard side of the rear-side substrate  320  to provide a stiff and stable base for the mounting bolts  88 . In one preferred form, the support strip  95  comprises a layer of thicker and less deformable material in comparison with the outer skin  318 , suitable for co-molded embedment of the bolt head portions  91  therein. Alternatively, the support strip  95  may be formed from a rigid material, such as metal or plastic. As a further alternative, the support strip  95  may incorporate and comprise the rear-side substrate  320  of the conformable pod.  
      In use, when the conformable pods  310  or  310 ′ are mounted onto the appropriate article or implement such as the illustrative chair seatback  312  or chair seat  312 ′, the user contacts the raised or distal end portions of the elongated ribs  86  resulting in deformation of the gel material  314  contained therein. As shown best in  FIGS. 19 , the recessed troughs or valleys  87  separating the raised ribs  86  are at least slightly spaced from the rear-side substrate  320  and/or the support strip  95  so that the cavity-filling gel material  314  is present in a continuum communicating within the closed chamber  316  between adjacent ribs  86 . Thus, the gel material  314  responds to user-applied pressure to conformably and deformably respond so that the ribs  86  collectively compress to assume a custom anatomical configuration. When the user-applied pressure is released, the gel material  314  will slowly substantially to its original non-deformed shape, thereby returning the pod substantially to its original rib and trough configuration.  
      In further alternative form, different types of mechanical fasteners may be employed, such as magnet fasteners carried by the conformable pod at the rear side thereof for quick and easy attachment to the structure of a selected article or implement. A magnet can be carried at a rear side of the pod for attachment to a suitable structure which may include a mating magnet of opposite polarity. Or, in some configurations, the rear-side substrate of the conformable pod may be designed for direct attachment as by co-molding directly onto the structure of the selected article or substrate.  
      A variety of further modifications and improvements in and to the improved conformable pod of the present invention will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.