Suspension seat for use on wheelchair

摘要

A suspension seat comprises a structural layer and a stretchable top layer above the structural layer. The structural layer comprises a cut-out. The perimeter of the cut-out is defined by a plurality of discrete members. The discrete members allow the buttocks (i.e., the tissue surrounding the ischial sacrococcygeal aspects of the skeleton) of a wheelchair user to enter into the cut-out with gradual pressure minimizing high pressure concentrations at the edges of the cut-out. The stretchable top layer bears load via tension as the wheelchair user buttocks deflects into the cut-out.

主权项

1. A suspension seat, comprising:
a structural layer that is substantially stiff, substantially non-stretchable, and substantially non-compressible, so that the structural layer does not substantially sag when supporting a user, the structural layer comprising a cut-out that allows the buttocks of the user to enter into the cut-out with gradual pressure, thus minimizing high pressure concentrations at edges of the cut-out; a stretchable top layer above the structural layer for bearing load via tension as the user's buttocks enters into the cut-out and deflects into the cut-out, wherein the cut-out and top layer allow an inferior aspect of the buttocks to be at or below the height of the structural layer to permit the user to sit lower in the seat, thereby facilitating sitting stability, and a flexible bottom layer beneath the structural layer, the flexible bottom layer being substantially non-stretchable to provide support for the structural layer, the stretchable top layer and the user, when sitting on the suspension seat.