Patent Publication Number: US-11377344-B1

Title: Method of repairing a cushion, in particular, method of repairing a cushion using an insert

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method of repairing a cushion. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of repairing a cushion using an insert. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cushions, such as cushions used on couches and chairs exist. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method of repairing a seat cushion; and, in particular, to a method of repairing a flattened seat cushion having a fill which has been compressed over time, for example. 
     The method of repairing a seat cushion according to the invention further includes providing a cushion having a flattened fill, opening the cushion, removing the flattened fill, providing an inflatable insert, and inflating the inflatable insert to fill the cushion. The cushion may be opened by unzipping a zipper on the cushion, or by slitting the cushion to remove the flattened fill if the cushion has no zipper. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the inflatable insert has a valve. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes the inflatable insert has the shape of a polyhedron. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes the inflatable insert Has the shape of a wedge. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the inflatable insert has the shape of a cylinder. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the inflatable insert has the shape of a right cylinder. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the inflatable insert has the shape of a six-sided cylinder. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the flattened fill is partially removed. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the flattened fill is substantially completely removed and substantially no remainder of the flattened fill is left. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the inflatable insert fills the cushion to its original configuration when the inflatable insert is inflated. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the cushion Is a seat cushion. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the cushion is a backrest cushion. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the cushion is closed after the inflatable fill is inserted. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the cushion is closed using needle and thread. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the cushion is closed by hand using needle and thread. 
     The method of repairing a cushion according to the invention further includes that the cushion is closed by a sewing machine using needle and thread. 
     Relative terms such as left, right, up, and down are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a couch having a flattened cushion to be repaired according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a flattened cushion having a flattened fill to be repaired according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a flattened cushion being opened for repair according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a flattened insert for use during repair according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an inflated insert for use during repair according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cushion having an inflated insert during repair according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a sewing machine which may be used during repair according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a couch  10  may have a flattened cushion  20  with a front face  24  and a top face  28 . Cushion  20  may have been partially crushed given that repeated use caused a factory installed foam support inside cushion  20  to be crushed thanks to repeated use in a time period. That crushing will be described in greater detail below. A second cushion  30  may have retained its original shape and appearance, as shown, such as when second cushion  30  was subjected to less use during the time period in which cushion  20  was crushed. Couch  10  may have a backrest extending upwardly away from cushion  20  and cushion  30 , as shown. 
       FIG. 2  shows how in a step according to the invention a slit  40  is made in face  24  of cushion  20 . Slit  40  is made as cushion  20  has no zipper which may be opened. Top face  28  of cushion  20  may be bowed in, as shown. Slit  40  will have a bottom edge  42  and a top edge  44  defining an opening  48 . 
       FIG. 3  shows how top edge  44  is moved upwardly away in a direction of an arrow A from bottom edge  42  in order to enlarge opening  48  in face  24 . A flattened fill  50  may be seen through opening  48 . Flattened fill  50  may be made a foam fill or may be another material. Flattened fill  50  may be partially removed and leave a remainder  54  as best seen in  FIG. 3 ; Or, flattened fill  50  may be completely removed as shown in  FIG. 6 . An arrow  60  shows a direction of insertion of an insert  100  through opening  48  into flattened cushion  20 . 
       FIG. 4  shows insert  100  with a valve  110  for use in filling insert  100  with a gas, such as air. Insert  100  is shown in a flat uninflated state  114 . 
       FIG. 5  shows insert  100  in a filled state  140 . Filled state  140  may be achieved by sending a gas through valve  110  in order to fill insert  100 , as will be readily appreciated. 
     Insert  100  will be placed or inserted into cushion  20  being repaired, as shown in the direction of arrow  60  of  FIG. 3 . Insert  100  may be provided adjacent partially removed flatted fill  50 . As shown in  FIG. 6  insert  100  may be adjacent top face  28 . If cushion  20  is turned over, then the top face would be, in effect, a bottom face of cushion  20 . After insertion, insert  100  will be inflated to raise top face  28  a desired amount by using valve  110  in order to repair flattened cushion  20 . Insert  100  may be filled after insert  100  has been inserted into cushion  20  in direction  60 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 6 , repair of flattened cushion  20  may be completed by closing slit  40 . Closing may be by a user sewing bottom edge  42  and top edge  44  together by using a thread  160  and a needle  180 . That using of thread  160  and needle  180 , may be done manually, as shown. 
     Closing of slit  40  may likewise be achieved by using a sewing machine  200  having a sewing needle  204  and a thread  208  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.