FR2638965A1 - Support cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support cushion. This cushion comprises a seat zone 27 and a back rest zone 28 having faces 11, 12 intended to be directed, respectively, towards a subject in a defined position and towards means forming a seat 13; between these faces 11, 12 flexible walls 2, 3 which are impermeable to gases delimit at least one depressurisable chamber 5 in which are accommodated substantially incompressible filling means 14 which can be in the flexible state or the rigid state depending on whether the depressurisable chamber 5 is at atmospheric pressure or depressurised; this cushion additionally comprises, opposite the faces 12 intended to be directed towards the subject relative to the depressurisable chamber, elastic padding means 41, 52, for example pneumatic means, situated at least in the zones corresponding, respectively, to the spine and to the thighs of a subject occupying the said defined position.

Description

 The present invention relates to a compression cushion, of the type comprising a seating area and a backrest area, having faces intended to be turned respectively towards a subject in a determined position and towards means forming a seat and, between said faces, flexible walls impermeable to gases, delimiting at least one depressurisable chamber, substantially incompressible filling means, of determined thickness, housed in said depressurisable chamber and capable of being in the flexible state when said depressurisable chamber is at ambient pressure and in the rigid state when said depressurizable chamber is under vacuum, and means forming an access valve to said depressurizable chamber.

 Such compression cushions are known in themselves, and have the advantage of allowing close adaptation to any desired shape. for example by direct molding on the subject and possible correction. when the depressurisable chamber is at ambient pressure, and to be stiffened in the conformation obtained by vacuum drawing in this chamber in order to retain the subject.

However, in their currently known embodiments. such compression cushions have a drawback in that their good adaptation to the desired conformation is closely linked to the skill of the operator shaping them before drawing the vacuum in the depressurization chamber. However, a defect in the shape of the cushion can lead to the appearance, in certain areas of contact between this cushion and the user. localized overpressures leading to pain, or simply painful support pressures in sensitive areas that should instead be relieved of any support pressure.
Disadvantage is particularly important if one takes into account that a compression cushion is almost always intended to be used for a long period by a helpless person, or even to transport an injured person; in such an application, moreover, a defective conformation of the compression cushion can have serious consequences, for example in the event of a fracture.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks, by allowing an operator of average skill, and even under difficult conditions of use such as for example at the site of an accident, to conform the compression cushion of so that the bearing pressures of the subject's body thereon are best distributed, that is to say generally uniformly, possibly with localized reduction of these pressures in nerve areas.

 To this end, the compression cushion according to the invention, of the type indicated in the preamble, is characterized in that it comprises in said seating area and in said backrest area, opposite to said faces intended to be turned towards the subject relative to said depressurizable chamber, elastic padding means located at least in areas corresponding respectively to the spine and the thighs of a subject occupying said position.

 These elastic padding means, which can be of any known type and preferably of pneumatic type, offer the advantage of an equal distribution of pressures, make it possible to shape the cushion according to the invention by the succession of operations consisting in place on the seat means, while the depressurizable chamber is at ambient pressure, to sit the subject in the desired determined position on the cushion, so that the contact pressures between the subject and the cushion are distributed in a substantially uniform manner, possibly with certain desired exceptions, as will appear below, and to then put the depressurizable chamber in depression to freeze the cushion of content ion in the conformation obtained while having the assurance that the distribution of pressures which has obtained will be kept.

 To discharge certain areas of the body, which are initially painful or may become painful after prolonged use of the compression cushion, it can be ensured that during the forming of the cushion, these zones are practically not stressed by providing at the level from these areas savings in the elastic padding means; this certainly results in an increase in pressures due to the weight of the body in areas surrounding these localized areas, but this increase is small enough not to result in pain.

 Thus, for example, the elastic padding means may include a saving at least at the level of the sacrum, or even at the nasal portion of the sacrum and of the fifth lumbar vertebra, in the area of the cushion according to the invention corresponding to the spine, whereas they can present a savings located at the level of the sacro-coccygiène region, as well as two savings located at the level of the ischions, in the seat area of the cushion.

 The seat and back areas can also have flaps extending them locally, and comprising like the seat or back area to which they are connected, flexible gas-impermeable walls. delimiting at least one depressurisable chamber, substantially incompressible filling means, of determined thickness, housed in said depressurisable chamber and capable of being in the flexible state when said depressurisable chamber is at ambient pressure and in the rigid state when said depressurizable chamber is under vacuum, and means forming an access valve to said depressurizable chamber, so that the compression cushion according to the invention can appear as a real shell surrounding any desired area of the subject's body. , said flexible gas-impermeable walls, said depressurisable chambers and said filling means extend continuously from the seat or back area, respectively, to the or each respective corresponding flap, the means forming an access valve to the various chambers depressurisable which can also be common, so effectively ensuring the overall rigidity of the compression cushion.

 Generally, in the foregoing as in the following, the expression "determined thickness" means either a uniform thickness or a different thickness depending on the zones of the cushion but the value of which however generally respects a determined spectrum of distribution according to these areas.

 Preferably, in particular with a view to long-term use, the seating area also has a peripheral notch directly above the pubic region, which makes it possible for example to probe the subject and. in the case of a male subject, to avoid testicular compressions while allowing an effective maintenance of the subject against a sliding forward by the areas of the cushion adjacent to this notch, marrying as for them to the the better the subject.

 Naturally, any arrangement capable of increasing the comfort offered by the cushion according to the invention without, however, appreciably modifying the conformation of the faces thereof facing the subject and the method of distributing the pressures can be provided; for example, on its faces intended to be turned towards the subject, the compression cushion according to the invention may comprise flexible means for distributing the contact pressures with the subject, which are generally substantially incompressible and of determined thickness but locally compressible , and / or an external coating of a material permeable to gases, flexible and substantially incompressible, of thickness also determined.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, relating to a non-limiting mode of implementation, as well as from the appended drawings which form an integral part of this description.

 - Figure I shows a plan view of a cushion - compression according to the present invention, developed flat and as it appears for example before use, while the depressurizable chamber is at ambient pressure.

 - Figure 2 shows a view of this cushion in section through a median longitudinal plane identified in Il-Il in Figure 1.

 - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of this cushion in a position of use, while it is stiffened by vacuum in the depressurisable chamber.

 FIG. 4 shows a view of the cushion in its conformation illustrated in FIG. 3, in section through a plane corresponding to the section plane identified in Il-Il in FIG. 1.

 - Figures 5 and 6 illustrate, in half-sectional views along planes marked respectively in V-V and VI-VI in Figure 1, a more elaborate mode of reaiisation of a compression cushion according to the present invention.

 Although the cushion illustrated in these figures includes all of the preferred arrangements indicated above, and a complete set of stiffenable flaps such as the seat zones and the back zones to form a total compression cushion, it is understood that some of the illustrated arrangements, which will now be described, could be omitted depending on the intended application of the cushion, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 We will first refer to Figures I to 4, where there is illustrated a cushion I according to the invention formed by the superposition of two walls 2, 3 flexible and gas tight, which walls 2 and 3 are mutually secured to their periphery, along a contour 4 which will be described later, by any appropriate means capable of also ensuring gas tightness at this level, so that these two walls 2 and 3 delimit between them a sealed chamber 5 capable of being depression in relation to the ambient pressure, or to be brought to ambient pressure by the use of one or more valves 6; the faces of the walls 2 and 3 facing inwardly of the depressurisable chamber 5 have been designated by 9 and 10 respectively and respectively by 11 and 12 the faces of these two walls 2 and 3 facing outward of this chamber 5; when the cushion is in use, the face 11 of the wall 2 is intended to be turned towards means 113 forming a seat, as shown in FIG. 4, while the face 12 of the wall 3 is intended to be turned towards a subject subject in a determined position sitting or lying-sitting, legs extended or swinging, and to serve as support thereof directly, in the case of this embodiment of the invention, or indirectly in the case of an embodiment of the invention which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in which the walls 2 and 3, their faces 9 to 12 and the chamber 5 are found identically and under the same references .

 The walls 2 and 3 are preferably slightly elastically extensible and can be produced for example from PVC, polyurethane or latex.

 As FIGS. 5 and 6 show better, and as it is also true in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the two walls 2 and 3 are connected to each other, and through the chamber 5, by flexible partitions 13 systematically distributed which retain inside the chamber 5 a granular material 14 integrally filling the latter, so as to avoid the migration of this granular material 14 inside the chamber 5 and to ensure a determined mutual spacing , substantially uniform or not, of the two walls 2 and 3; however, the partitions 13 are perforated so as to be permeable to gases and thus allow depressurization of the chamber 5 and of the granular material 14 by vacuum evacuation via the valve 6, in order to allow the stiffening of the material. granular 14 as it is known per se and as described for example by international patent application NO 8700115 of April 8, 1987; according to an implementation variant not illustrated, the permeable partitions 13 could be dissociated from the walls 2 and 3 and form, for example, a juxtaposition of strands linked together, freely inserted in the chamber 5 and enclosing the granular material 14 without opposing depressurization.

 By way of nonlimiting example, one can use a granular material 14 with a particle size of the order of I to 2 mm, with a minimum density of the order of 25 g / l to 30 g / l, a thickness of the order of 3 to 5 cm.

 In an alternative embodiment of the invention which has not been illustrated, the chamber 5 could be subdivided in a sealed manner into a plurality of chambers which are similar in all respects, capable of being brought to ambient pressure or under vacuum. through respective valves similar to valve 6.

 In the case of the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the face 12 of the wall 3, intended to be turned towards the user subject, is entirely covered with another flexible wall and substantially inextensible 15, itself covered with another flexible and substantially inextensible wall 16, which walls 15 and 16 are also secured by any means suitably chosen by a person skilled in the art, at the contour 4. with the two walls 2 and 3.

 The wall 15 is impermeable to a determined gel 17 which is substantially incompressible and capable of creeping, of a nature known in itself, which it permanently retains in a chamber or pocket 18 which it delimits with the upper face 12 of the wall 3 ; this chamber 18 is completely filled with gel 17 and its thickness, measured perpendicular to the face 12, is if necessary maintained overall at a determined value, uniform or different depending on the zones of the cushion, by flexible spacers 19 systematically distributed and advantageously formed of perforated partitions integral on the one hand with the wall 3 and on the other hand with the wall 15. The wall 15 is preferably slightly elastically extensible and for example made from one of the materials indicated above with respect to the walls 2 and 3. The gel creep capacity 17 makes it possible to absorb narrowly localized irregularities of small amplitude without pain such as warts, boils or the like. by ensuring at their level an equal distribution of the contact pressures between the cushion and the subject. By way of nonlimiting example, one can use a gel with a generally uniform thickness of the order of 1 to 2 cm, for example a silicone gel. The wall 16, preferably also slightly elastically extensible, is chosen so as to have as good permeability as possible to gases, and in particular to air, and can be made for example of fabric. , it thus delimits a chamber 20 open to the open air, filled with a material 21 permeable to air and substantially incompressible, which material can advantageously consist of a flexible granular material ides flexible spacers 22, themselves preferably permeable to gases and in particular to air, integral with the walls 15 and 16, interconnect the latter in systematically distributed locations, through the granular filling material 21, in order to ensure a mutual spacing of the walls 15 and 16 substantially constant, that is to say uniform or varying according to the zones of the cushion but determined, that is to say a determined thickness of the granular material filling area 21. By way of nonlimiting example, the granular material 21 can be chosen from the same range of particle sizes and densities as the granular material 14, in a substantially uniform thickness of the order of I to 2 cm in presence of a layer of gel 17, or of the order of 3 to 4 cm in the absence of gel 17.

 It is easily understood that the role of gel 17 and of granular filling material 21, or equivalent means capable of replacing them. is to increase the comfort of the cushion illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in comparison with that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, by offering, in contact with the user suet, a face 23 of the wall 16 rather than directly. the face 12 of the wall 3; however, due to the substantially incompressible nature of the gel 17 and of the granular material of remciissaae 21 and of the maintenance of this gel and of this granular filling material at a thickness determined at least overall, the face 23 of the wall 16 and the face 12 of the wall 3 have closely interdependent configurations and the gel 17 and the granular filling material 21 ensure a faithful transmission of the pressures between the faces 22 and 12.

 In a variant implementation of the invention intermediate between the variants illustrated respectively in FIGS. 1 to 4 and in FIGS. 5 and 6, one of the chambers 18 and 20, as well as its contents, could be omitted in a way easily conceivable by a person skilled in the art; one could also provide that in the absence of walls 15 and 16 integral by their peripheries with walls 2 and 3, as is the case of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, it is reported removably on the face 12 of the wall 3 an autonomous pocket delimiting a chamber at all points similar to the chamber 18 and as it filled with a gel at all points analogous to the gel 17 and / or autonomous means forming an external coating in a material permeable to gases, flexible and substantially incompressible, of determined thickness, playing the role of the chamber 20 and its filling with granular material 21.

 Also not shown, a removable cover, permeable to gases and in particular to air, could tightly wrap the cushion 1 as a whole.

 We will now describe in more detail the outline 4 common to walls 2 and 3 and, optionally, to walls 15 and 16 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

 For the description of the common outline 4 of the walls 2 and 3 and, optionally, 15 and 16, it will be assumed that the cushion 1 according to the invention lies flat, in the unfolded state, as shown in FIGS. I and 2.

 As shown more particularly in FIG. 1, this contour 4 is symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane 24 which is arranged vertically when the cushion according to invention I is in service as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, that is that is to say placed on seat means 113 comprising a substantially flat and horizontal seat face 25 and a back face 26 also approximately planar and defining with face 25 a dihedral angle (not referenced) generally close to 900 and slightly higher than 900; these examples of conformation and relative arrangement of the seat faces 25 and back 26 are only non-limiting examples.

 To constitute. in the cushion 1 of the zones 27 and 28 suitable for covering respectively the seat face 25 and the back face 26, the contour 4 delimits two approximately rectangular sections 29 and 30 mutually contiguous along a common rectilinear side 31 nearby immediate of which, in the plane 29, the walls 2 and 3 as well as the possible walls 15 and 16 comprise a same cutout 32 on the contour 33 from which the walls 2 and 3 and the possible walls 15 and 16 are secured in the same way as on contour 4 ;; the contour 33 has approximately the shape of an isosceles triangle symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane 24 and the base of which coincides with a central part on the side 31 and its dimensions are such that, when the cushion is in service, the cutout 32 constitutes in the seating area 27 a notch 34 located at the base of the sacro-coccygiène region of a user.

 Approximately perpendicular to the side 31, the contour 4 delimits the pan 29 by two approximately rectilinear sides 35 and 36 which thus connect the side 31 to a side 37, approximately rectilinear and approximately parallel to the side 31, of the pan 29; in a central zone on this side 37, overlapping the median longitudinal plane 24, the walls 2 and 3 as well as the possible walls 15 and 16 also have the same cutout 38 on the contour 39 of which they are mutually secured in identical fashion to their mutual securing on the outline 4, of which the outline 39 is also part as will emerge from the following description; the contour 39 has approximately the shape of a V symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane 24 and opening towards a central zone on the side 37, so as to divide the latter into two halves and to be defined in the seating zone 27 a peripheral notch 40 located directly above the pubic region of a user. The dimensions of the notch 40 are such that the directly adjacent cushion regions effectively hold the user at the thighs and perineum, between the anus and the scrotum, against sliding forward.

 On the whole of the pan 29 thus delimited by the sides 35 and 36, the areas of the sides 31 and 37 situated respectively on either side of the cutouts 32 and 38, and the contours 33 and 39 of these cutouts, the face 13 of the wall 2, that is to say the face thereof facing the seat face 25 in the seat area 27, is lined with elastic padding means 41 which, preferably, are pneumatic as it is illustrated although other choices are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the example illustrated, these elastic padding means 41 comprise a flexible wall, substantially inextensible, gas tight 42 doubling integrally the face 13 of the wall 2 at the level of the pan 29 and joined peripherally, in a gas-tight manner with this wall 2 along the sides 35 and 36, areas of the sides 31 and 37 situated respectively on either side of the cutouts 32 and 38, and along the contours 33 and 39, so as to define with the wall 2 a sealed chamber 43 accessible by a valve 44 so that one can introduce a pressurized gas such as air 45 therein, ensuring equal pressure distribution in particular when the granular material IL of the chamber 5 is shaped before placing the latter in depression, the wall 42 is for example made of coated fabric; naturally, the single chamber 43 illustrated could be replaced by a plurality of juxtaposed analogous chambers, for example defined by tubes communicating with each other so that they can be pressurized by means of a single burst, or isolated from one another in order to be capable of being pressurized by separate bursts; it could also be attached removably and interchangeably on the cushion.

 Thus, in the seat area 27, the cushion according to the invention rests on the seat face 25 of the seat forming means 113 not by the face II of the wall 2, but by a face 46, external to the chamber 43, from the wall L2 towards the interior of the chamber 43, this wall has a face L7 by which the walls 2 and 42 are joined mutually in two zones 7 and 8 located directly above the ischia of a user, as it has been shown diagrammatically at 48 in FIG. 6 in connection with zone 7; this joining can be carried out by any appropriate means, chosen by a person skilled in the art according to the nature of the walls 2 and 42, and is intended to constitute in the elastic padding means 41 two savings located respectively in zones 7 and 8 in order to avoid in these zones the application to the user, in the region of the ischia, of pressing pressures which are distributed around these localized zones 7 and 8.

Naturally, the notches 34 and 40 also correspond to savings in the elastic padding means 41, absent in these areas.

 The seat area 27 of the cushion I is in all respects comparable to the seat cushion which is the subject of French patent application N0 filed on the same day as the present application.

 Perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 24, the sides 35 and 36 of the pan 29 have a width corresponding substantially to that of the buttocks of a user, while along this median longitudinal plane 24. the sides 31 and 37 of the pan 29 are mutually spaced apart. a distance such that the side 37 is situated approximately at the mid-thigh of a user, supposedly seated so that his back rests on the backrest area 2S formed by the pan 30.

 The latter is itself delimited, in the direction of a distance from the median longitudinal plane 4, by two approximately rectilinear sides 49 and 50, approximately perpendicular to the side 31 of junction with the pan 29 and mutually distant, perpendicular to the plane 24, by a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the back of a user; in the direction of a distance from the side 31, these sides 49 and 50 extend to an approxlmatlvement rectilinear side 51 of the pan 30, which is approximately parallel to the side 31 and distant from it so as to be located approximately between the armpit level and a user's neck level.

 Like the pan 29, the pan 30 has elastic padding means located 52 opposite the face 13 of the wall 12, and these elastic padding means 52 are pneumatic in nature in the nonlimiting example illustrated.

 For this purpose, along the side 51, of respective zones of the sides 49 and 50 adjacent to this side 51 and of an approximately rectilinear side 53 approximately parallel to the side 51 and situated at a level corresponding approximately to the intermediate level between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, to the wall 2 is tightly secured a flexible and waterproof wall 54, substantially inextensible and for example of coated fabric, which thus delimits with the face 13 of the wall 2 a sealed chamber 55 accessible by a valve 56 allowing to introduce a pressurized gas therein such as air 57.

 Thus constituted, the elastic padding means 52 extend laterally on either side of the median longitudinal plane 24, assumed to coincide with the position of the spine of a user, over the entire width of the backrest area 28 but present at level of the sacrum and of the fifth lumbar vertebra a savings 58 allowing, during the shaping of the granular material 14 filling the depressurizable chamber 5 while the latter is at ambient pressure, to avoid at this level the application of pressures support and thus give the backrest area 28, by depressurization of the chamber 5, a conformation suitable for subsequently avoiding stressing the sacral area of the user by the support pressures. Like the chamber 43, the chamber 55 could be defined by a plurality of juxtaposed tubes, and be removable and interchangeable.

Naturally, as well as the elastic padding means 41, the elastic padding means 52 could be constituted differently from what has been described above and for example comprise a cushioning of a fluid other than a gas, enclosed between flexible walls of an appropriate nature, or a layer of an elastically compressible cellular material, these examples being in no way limiting
Note that sections 29 and 3G of the compression cushion
I which has just been described could constitute this cushion alone, in a simplified version thereof, in which case the contour 4 would consist of the sides 35, 36, 37 with the notch 40, 49, 50 and 51.

 However, preferably, a compression cushion 1 according to the invention also has at least one of the flaps 59 to 63 which have been illustrated in the figures and which will now be described.

 At each of these flaps 59 to 63, the walls 2 and 3, the chamber 5, the internal partition 13 and the granular material 14 which they enclose, as well as any walls 15 and 16, with their respective internal partitions 19 and 22, the gel 17 and the granular material 21 which they retain respectively, preferably extend without discontinuity from the pan 29 or the pan 30 so that, in particular, the cushion according to the invention as a whole can be shaped at will while the chamber 5 is at atmospheric pressure, then be stiffened into the desired conformation by vacuum in this chamber 5; however, it would not be departing from the scope of the present invention to provide, at the level of the various flaps 59 to 63, chambers certainly similar in all respects to chamber 5 and containing, like it, a granular material retained by partitions permeable to gases. these chambers however being depressurizable independently thanks to respective valves.

 A flap 59 has in particular been illustrated connecting to the panel 30 along the side 51 so as to extend the backrest area 2S superiorly and to fit behind the neck of a user from the rear and laterally. her head.

For this purpose. more precisely, the flap 59 is delimited in the direction of a distance from the side 51 by an approximate side
ment rectilinear 64. approximately parallel to the side 51 while it is delimited in the direction of a distance from the longitudinal plane meean 2 'by two sides 65 and 66 approximately recti ignes, approxlmatlxement perpendicular to the sides 64 and 51; these sides 64, 65, 66 form an integral part of the contour 4, as well as two zones on the side 51 adjacent respectively to the sides 65 and 66, the flap 59 connecting to the pan 3a only in a median zone 151 on the side 51 so that, as has been shown diagrammatically by arrows 67 and 68 in FIG. 3, - it is possible to fold forward, with reference to a direction 69 going from back to front for a user of the cushion, the zones of this flap 59 furthest from the median longitudinal plane 24 to marry laterally the neck and, optionally, the head of the user.

 The flaps 60 and 61 are arranged laterally with respect to the pan 30 so that they can be placed in a position such that they laterally match the user's trunk, as shown in FIG. 3.

 To this end, these lateral flaps 60 and 61 are connected to the panel 30 along the sides 49 and 50 of the latter, respectively, and more precisely in zones 149 and 150 of these sides 49 and 50 directly adjacent to the side 51. In the direction of a distance respectively from the side 49 and from the side 50, that is to say also in the direction of a distance from the median longitudinal plane 24, these side flaps 65 and 61 are bounded by an approximately rectilinear side 75, 71 approximately parallel respectively to the side 49 and to the side Sa and distant from this side by a distance approximately equal to the distance mutually separating the sides 31 and 37 of the pan 29. refers to the flat position illustrated in Figures I and 2, the two flaps 60 and 61 have an approximately rectangular shape and are further delimited by a respective upper side 72, 73 approximately rect ne approximati vement perpendicular to the sides 49, 50, 70, 71 and located at an intermediate level between the respective levels of the sides 51 and fi4 of the flap 59 these upper sides 72 and 73 are connected respectively to the side 49 and to the side 50 of the panel 30 by a side 74, 75 approximately rectilinear. respectively extending the side 49 or the side 50, and thus it is placed on a part of the side 65 of the flap 59 or on a part of the side 66 of the latter. respectively, when the cushion 1 is placed flat as shown in Figures I and 2. These sides 74 and 75 of the flaps 60 and 61. as well as the sides 72 and 73, 70 and 71 of these latter are part of contour 4. which allows, given the position of the side 51 of the pan 30 relative to the armpits of a user, to fold in the direction of a relative distance the areas of the flaps 60 and 61 located near their sides upper 72 and 73, as shown schematically by arrows 76 and 77 in Figure 3, while the flaps 60 and 61 are themselves folded forward relative to the pan 30, so as to form under the armpits of the user of the armrests 78, 79 convex upwards, preferably on the armrests (not shown) of the seat means 113.

 The two flaps 6G and 61 are moreover delimited downwards by respective lower sides 80 and 81, approximately rectilinear and approximately parallel to the upper sides 72 and 73, which lower sides 80 and 81 are situated approximately in the extension of the side 31 when the cushion 1 is flat as shown in Figures I and 2; the sides 80 and 81 thus connect the sides 70 and 71, respectively, to the sides 49 and 50 and form an integral part of the contour 4, likewise, preferably, that an area of each of the sides 49 and 55 adjacent to these sides 85 and 81 as well as at side 31.

 So. the zones 149 and 155 of the sides 49 and 50 of the panel 30 by which the flaps 65 and 61 connect to the latter are limited to an intermediate level between the respective levels of the upper sides 72 and 73 and these lower sides 80 and 81 of these flaps 60 and 61 and, as shown schematically by arrows 82 and 83 in FIG. 3, it is possible to fold up a lower zone of the flaps 60 and 61 themselves folded forward relative to the zone of folder 28 to wrap the arms of a cushion user; in such a case, the upper zones of the two flaps 7a and 71. illustrated in the form of armrests 78 and 79 in FIG. 3, can also be shaped for this purpose, at will.

 Advantageously, schematically respectively at 84 and S5 in FIG. 1, there is provided between each of the flaps 60 and 61 and the pan Xr, removable mutual securing means located near the side 31 and the sides 85 and 81. for example in the form of fastening devices using loop fabric and hook fabric, of the diffuse type under the registered trademark VELCRO.

 Where appropriate, as shown diagrammatically at 86 in FIGS. 1 and 3, the flaps 60 and 61 may also be provided, along their sides 7G and 71, with at least one strap making it possible to connect them mutually, removably, in front of a user's abdomen; these means 86 are advantageously located at a level corresponding substantially to that of the connection of the flaps 60 and 61 with the flap 30, by the zones 149 and 150 of the sides 49 and 50 thereof adjacent to its side 51.

 Naturally, although the flaps 59 to 61 which have just been described do not include elastic padding means, such means, comparable to the means 41 and 52 previously described, could be provided without departing from the framework of the present invention.

 The flaps 62 and 63 are in turn provided in the forward extension of the pan 29 constituting the seat area 27 of the cushion I and are connected to the pan 29 respectively by one and the other of the halves of the side 37 located respectively on either side of the cutout 38. If we refer to the flat position illustrated in Figures I and 2, each has along the median longitudinal plane 24 a respective side 86, 87 then approximately rectilinear that it is delimited in the direction of a distance from the median longitudinal plane 24 by a respective side 88. 89 also approximately rectilinear, approximately parallel to the sides 86 and 87, and situated farther from the median longitudinal plane 2 than the sides 35 and 36 of pan 29, respectively; the two flaps 62 and 63 being identical, the edges 88 and 89 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane 24.

 If we refer to the flap 62, the sides 86 and 88 thereof thus connect two approximately rectilinear extensions 90 and 91 of a central zone 137 of the corresponding half of the side 37 to a side 22 approximately rectilinear, parallel at side 37; similarly, if we refer to the flap 63, the sides 87 and 89 thereof connect two approximately rectilinear extensions 93 and 94 of a central zone 237 of the corresponding half on the side 37 of the pan 29 to an approximately side straight 95, approximately parallel to side 37 and situated in the extension of side 92 of flap 62 if reference is made to the flat position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; the sides 86 to 89, 92 and 95 of the flaps 62 and 63, the respective extensions 90, 91, 93, 94 of the central zones 137, 237 of the corresponding halves respectively on the side 37, as well as this side 37 in zones other than the said central zones, are an integral part of contour 4; the zones 137 and 237 on the side 37 are located plumb with the femur of a user seated on the seating area 27 in a position such that their back is wedged against the backrest area 28.

Thus, in particular, as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to wrap each of the flaps 62 and 63 around a corresponding leg of the user while they are in the flexible state, before stiffening them by vacuum as indicated above with regard to the other flaps of the cushion; optionally, not shown, strapping means can be provided along the edges 86 to 89 of the flaps 62 and 63 to perfect their adaptation around the legs of the user; strapping means could also be provided also at the sides 72 and 73 and / or 80 and 81 of the side flaps 60 and 61 of the pan 30 in x ue of a use of the latter in wrapping the arms, the way
Indicated above.

 The length of the flaps 62 and 63 between the side 37 of the pan 29 and their sides 92 and 95 can be chosen as desired to correspond either to the length of the thigh of a user, in addition to the length of the pan 29. such so that the sides 92 and 95 are located slightly set back from the knees; this length can also correspond to the total length of the leg up to the foot, and even beyond the foot.

 Insofar as the two front flaps 62 and 63 of the pan 29 are intended to carry the weight of the thighs and possibly the legs of the user. in respective central zones 195 and 96 situated directly above these thighs and these legs and extending respectively from the side 3 of the pan 29 to the sides 92 and 95 of the flaps 62 and 63, these two flaps 62 and 63 preferably have, on the face 13 of the wall 2 intended to be turned towards the means 113 forming the seat, elastic padding means 97, 98 which can advantageously be of pneumatic nature like the elastic padding means 41 and 52 previously described; for this purpose, a flexible wall, gas-tight 99, 100, substantially inextensible and for example of coated fabric, is secured in a gas-tight manner with the face 13 of the wall 2 respectively around the area 195 and around the area 96 so as to delimit with the wall 2 a respective sealed chamber 101, 102, accessible by a respective valve 103, 104 for introducing a pressurized gas such as air; in the case of each of the flaps 62 and 63, the sealed chamber 101, 102 may be unique, or be formed of a juxtaposition of inflatable tubes; in addition, according to a variant not illustrated, the chambers 101 and 102 could communicate with the chamber 43 corresponding to the pan 29 so as to be put under overpressure simultaneously with the latter, by means of the same valve 44.

Naturally, the compression cushion according to the invention which has just been described is susceptible of numerous variants, accessible to a
A person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 In particular, although this cushion has been described in a embodiment more particularly suitable for medical use, it may have other applications and for example applications for the doubling of pilot seats for aircraft, boats or automobile; in such appllcatlons, the front flaps 62 and 63 are omitted and the upper flap 59 and the side flaps 60 and 61 extended in the direction of a distance from the median longitudinal plane 24 if reference is made to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, in order to be able to further wrap the shoulders and the ribs of the pilot and to distribute the pressures applied to the latter by safety belts or harnesses,

Claims (22)

 1. Compression cushion, of the type comprising a seat area (27) and a backrest area (28), having faces (11, 12) intended to be turned respectively towards a subject in a determined position and towards means forming seat (13) and, between said faces (11, 12), flexible walls (2, 3) impermeable to gases, delimiting at least one depressurizable chamber, substantially incompressible filling means (14), of determined thickness, housed in said depressurizable chamber (5) and capable of being in the flexible state when said depressurizable chamber (5) is at ambient pressure and in the rigid state when said depressurizable chamber (5) is under vacuum, and means ( 6) forming an access valve to said depressurizable chamber (5),  characterized in that it comprises in said seat area (27) and cans said backrest area (vs), opposite to said face (12) intended to be turned towards the subject with respect to said depressurisable chamber ( 5), elastic padding means (41, 52) located at least in areas corresponding respectively to the spine and the thighs of a subject occupying said position.  2. Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that, in  said zone corresponding to the spine. the elastic padding means (52) comprise a saving (5S) at least at the level of the sacrum.  3. Cushion according to claim 2, characterized in that, in  said zone corresponding to the spine. the elastic padding means (52) comprise a saving (5S) at the level of the sacrum and the fifth x lumbar ertebre.  4. Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in said back area (28), the elastic padding means (52) extend laterally on either side of said corresponding area spine, substantially over the entire width of said backrest area (28).  5. Cushion according to any one of claims I to 4, characterized in that, in said seat area (27), the elastic padding means (41) have a savings (34) located directly above the sacro-coccygiène region.  6. Cushion according to any one of claims I to 5, characterized in that, in said seat area (27), the elastic padding means (41) have two spares (7, 8) located vertically ischiums.  7. Cushion according to any one of claims I to 6, characterized in that said back area (28) comprises at least one flap (59, 65, 61) comprising flexible walls (2, 3) impermeable to gases. delimiting at least one depressurisable chamber (5), substantially incompressible repacking means (14), of determined thickness, housed in said depressurisable chamber (5) and capable of being in the flexible state when said depressurisable chamber (5) is at ambient pressure and in the rigid state when said depressurizable chamber (5) is under vacuum, and means (6) forming an access valve to said depressurizable chamber (5).  8. Cushion according to claim -7, characterized in that said back area (28) has an upper flap (59) located in the extension of said back area (28) upwards.  9. Cushion according to claim 8, characterized in that said upper flap (59) is connected to the back area (28) in a central area (151) located opposite the spine, and independent of the back area (2S ) respectively on either side of said area.  10. Cushion according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said back area (28) comprises at least one lateral flap (60, 61) located in the lateral extension of said back area.  He. Cushion according to claim 10, characterized in that said lateral flap (60, 61) is connected to the backrest area (28) in an intermediate area (149, 150) located immediately below the armpits, and independent of the area of file (28) respectively on either side of said intermediate zone (149, 150).  12. Cushion according to any one of claims 10 and II, characterized in that it comprises two of said lateral flaps (60, 61), disposed respectively on either side of said backrest area (28), and means (86) for mutual strapping of said side flaps (60, 61).  13. Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said seating area (27) comprises at least one flap (62. 63) comprising flexible walls (2, 3) impermeable to gases, delimiting at least one depressurisable chamber (5), substantially incompressible filling means (14), of determined thickness, housed in said depressurisable chamber (5) and capable of being in the flexible state when said depressurisable chamber (5) is at ambient pressure and in the rigid state when said depressurizable chamber (5) is under vacuum, and means (6) forming an access valve to said depressurizable chamber (5).  14. Cushion according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said seating area (27) comprises at least one front flap (62, 63) located in its extension opposite the backrest area (2S).  15. Cushion according to any one of claims I to 14, characterized in that said seating area (27) has a peripheral notch (40) perpendicular to the pubic region.  16. Cushion according to claims 14 and 15 in combination, characterized in that said seating area has two front flaps (62, 63) located in its extension opposite the backrest area (28), respectively by and other of said notch (40).  17. Cushion according to any one of claims 14, 16 ,, characterized in that said front flap (62, 63) is connected to said seat area (27) in a central area (137, 237) located opposite of the femur and independent of said seating area (27) respectively on either side of said central area (137, 237).  18. Cushion according to any one of claims 14, L6, 17 characterized in that it comprises, opposite the face (12) of said anterior flap (62, 63) intended to be turned towards the subject with respect to to said depressurisable chamber (5), means (97, 98) for elastic padding located at least in an area (195, 96) corresponding to the plumb of a  ambe.  19. Cushion according to any one of claims 7 to 14 and 16 to 18. characterized in that said flexible walls (2, 3) impermeable to gases. said depressurisable chambers (5) and said filling means (14) extend without discontinuity from the seat or backrest area (27. 28). respectively. towards the or each corresponding flap (59 to 63) respectively.  20. Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that said elastic padding means (41, 52, 97, S) are pneumatic.  21. Cushion according to any one of claims I to 20, characterized in that it comprises, on said faces (12) intended to be turned towards the subject. flexible means (15, 17, 18, 19) for distributing the contact pressures with the subject, generally substantially incompressible and of determined thickness and locally compressible.  22. Cushion according to claim 21, characterized in that said distribution means (15, 17, 18, 19) comprise a flexible pocket (15, 18), filled with a substantially incompressible gel (17).  23. Cushion according to any one of claims I to 22, characterized in that it comprises, on said faces (12) intended to be turned towards the subject, an external coating (16, 20, 21, 22) of a material permeable to gases, flexible and substantially incompressible, of determined thickness.