Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-13
2001-07-10
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3733)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
C297S452220, C005S489000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257237
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cushion structure for a nursing equipment such as a child seat and, more specifically, to a cushion structure for a nursing equipment capable of fully protecting the brain of an infant.
2. Description of the Background Art
Healthy and sound growth of infants and babies is a common wish of parents worldwide. The first to third years, especially the second year for a baby is a critical period when the baby comes to be aware of his or her self. Therefore, it is recognized that protection of the head (brain) of the infant of this age is of importance for sound and healthy growth of the infant.
The head (brain) may be protected by “proper nursing method” and “use of proper nursing equipment.” Here, “proper nursing method” means proper parental care of the infant as described in detail in, for example, IKUJI NO GENRI (Principle of Child Bearing), by Dr. Jushichiro Naito.
“Proper nursing equipment” refers to a nursing equipment having such a structure that is capable of sufficiently protecting the head (brain) of an infant, as already described. More specifically, the equipment must have a structure for protecting the brain of an infant sufficiently against external shock. Though various and many nursing equipments have been developed to this date, unfortunately, a nursing equipment having such a structure that can sufficiently protect the head (brain) of an infant cannot be found at present.
Cushion structures employed in a chair, a vehicular seat, sandals and the like are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laying-Open Nos. 56-101065, 60-95051, 63-93859 and 3-78405. The structures disclosed in these references, however, are all proposed for improved air ventilation.
Therefore, such structures cannot be used as a structure for protecting the head (brain) of an infant sufficiently against an external shock.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a proper nursing equipment for assisting healthy and sound growth of an infant and, more specifically, to provide a cushion structure of a nursing equipment which can sufficiently protect the head (brain) of the infant against external shock.
The above described objects of the present invention can be attained by a cushion structure or a nursing equipment in accordance with one aspect of the present invention which includes an air pool consisting of a prescribed space, and a shock absorbing region provided surrounding the air pool for absorbing shock by allowing leakage of air from the air pool when the air pool is deformed by the shock.
Preferably, the shock absorbing region includes an outlet hole communicated with the air pool. Preferably, the shock absorbing region includes a cut out communicated with the air pool. Preferably, the shock absorbing region is formed of a porous material surrounding the air pool.
Preferably, the shock absorbing region is formed of a layer of porous material provided surrounding the air pool.
Because of this structure, even when the head (brain) of an infant hits against the nursing equipment upon external shock, the shock can be received at first by the air pool. Further, as the air pool is deformed by the shock, the air in the air pool leaks to the shock absorbing region, and therefore the shock can be absorbed at a moment, not transmitted to the head (brain) of the infant.
The above described objects of the present invention are attained by the cushion structure for a nursing equipment in accordance with another aspect of the present invention which is a cushion structure for a nursing equipment supporting an infant from behind, including a first cushion layer, a second cushion layer positioned behind the first cushion layer, and a third cushion layer positioned behind the second cushion layer. The second cushion layer has an air pool consisting of a prescribed space.
As this structure is adopted, when the air pool provided in the second cushion layer is deformed by a shock, the air in the air pool leaks out to the first and third cushion layers, and hence the shock can be absorbed.
Further, density of a member constituting the second cushion layer is adopted to be smaller than the densities of members constituting the first and third cushion layers.
Preferably, the second cushion layer is made softer than the first and third cushion layers.
As this structure is adopted, the second cushion layer deforms to a greater extent than the first and third cushion layers against a shock, and therefore the shock can more effectively be absorbed at a moment, and the shock is not transmitted to the head (brain) of the infant.
Preferably, at least one of the first and third cushion layers has an outlet hole communicated with the air pool.
As this structure is adopted, the air in the air pool can leak out from the outlet hole provided in the first or third cushion layer. Therefore, the shock can be absorbed more effectively at a moment, and the shock is not transmitted to the head (brain) of the infant.
Preferably, the outlet hole is provided at a position apart from a central region of the air pool.
As this structure is adopted, when there is an external shock, the central portions of the first and third cushion layers sandwiching the air pool from both sides deform most. If the outlet hole is provided near the central portion of the air pool, the air in the air pool leaks abruptly, and hence the effect of gradual shock absorption cannot be attained.
When the outlet hole is provided at a position off from the center of the air pool as described above, it becomes possible to gradually let out the air in the air pool when there is a shock. As a result, it becomes possible to let out the air in the air pool upon any shock at a most efficient speed for absorbing the shock. Accordingly, the shock can be absorbed efficiently in a minimum time period.
Preferably, the first and third cushion layers have outlet holes communicated with the air pool, the outlet holes being provided at positions off from the central region of the air pool, and the positions of the first and third cushion layers are offset from each other.
As this structure is adopted, it becomes possible to let out the air in the air pool when there is a shock, at a speed most efficient for absorbing the shock, and therefore the shock can be absorbed more efficiently in a minimum time period.
Preferably, the cushion structure further has a fourth cushion layer softer than the first cushion layer, on that surface of the first cushion layer which faces the infant.
This structure is agreeable to the touch of the infant, providing comfortable environment for the infant.
Preferably, the structure has a fifth cushion layer on a back surface of the third cushion layer, and density of a member constituting the fifth cushion layer is set lower than the density of the member constituting the third cushion layer.
By this structure, it becomes possible to let the air out from the air pool through the outlet hole and further through the fifth cushion layer having low density. This enables more effective absorption of the shock.
Preferably, there are a plurality of the air pools and a plurality of the outlet holes, with the air pools and outlet holes provided at positions supporting the head of the infant.
Accordingly, it becomes possible to absorb any shock at a moment so that the shock is not transmitted to the head (brain) of the infant, and to surely protect the head (brain) of the infant. As a result, a proper nursing equipment for the infant is provided.
The above described objects of the present invention can be attained by the cushion structure for a nursing equipment in accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention which has first, second, third and fourth layers in this order from the side facing the infant, with the densities of members constituting the first, second, third and fourth layers being set such that the densities of the first and third layers are higher than those of the second and fourth layers. Preferably, the str
Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
Brown Michael A.
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
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