Cushioning device

The present invention relates generally to a cushioning device that is adapted to retain a flowable medium to provide a cushioning effect. The cushioning device has a cushioning member having a deformable bladder member defining a medium chamber and a flowable medium, such as a fluid, retained in the chamber. The cushioning member is adapted to be mounted onto an article to thereby provide a cushioning effect for a user. The cushioning device can optionally have a support element to provide an additional cushioning effect. The present invention also relates to a cushioned article that has a finger-held or finger-manipulated article on which the cushioning device is mounted to provide a comfortable finger grip for a user. The cushioned article is so formed that it can fit within the user's finger grip and that the inflated bladder member can be deformed by the user's fingers or fingertips.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A cushioning device comprising:

a cushioning member comprising a deformable bladder member at least partially defining a fluid chamber therein and a flowable fluid enclosed in said fluid chamber in a fluid-tight manner, said bladder member and said flowable fluid each being capable of providing a cushioning effect in response to a deforming force; and

a support element formed separately from said bladder member and positioned with respect to said bladder member to modify the cushioning effect of at least one of said bladder member and said flowable fluid;

wherein one of said bladder member and said support element is adapted to mount said cushioning member at least partially around a finger-manipulable article;

whereby said deformable bladder member, said flowable fluid, and said support element are capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect for the fingers of the user.

2. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said support element comprises a resilient material.

3. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said support element comprises an insert member positioned inside said chamber and adapted to deform when said bladder member is subjected to a deforming force.

4. The cushioning device of claim 3, wherein said insert member is shaped to substantially fill said chamber.

5. The cushioning device of claim 3, wherein said insert member comprises an open-cell foam.

6. The cushioning device of claim 3, wherein said insert member comprises a thermoplastic material.

7. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said support element comprises an external member positioned outside said chamber.

8. The cushioning device of claim 7, wherein:

said cushioning member has a pad shape before being mounted onto the article to be held by the user and comprises first and second joining portions configured to be joined together for mounting said cushioning member on the article; and

said external member comprises a seal member formed by overlapping and connecting said joining portions.

9. The cushioning device of claim 7, wherein said external member is positioned to contact at least a portion of said bladder member and is less deformable than said cushioning member to minimize transverse movement of said bladder member.

10. The cushioning device of claim 9, wherein:

said external member comprises a barrel member defining at least one aperture through which said bladder member extends; and

said cushioning element is configured to fit within said barrel member so that said bladder member extends through said aperture.

11. The cushioning device of claim 7, wherein said external member is spaced away from said bladder member so that said external member provides an independent cushioning effect from that of said bladder member and said flowable fluid.

12. The cushioning device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said external member is contoured to conform to a portion of the user's hand.

13. The cushioning device of claim 7, wherein said external member is adapted to mount said cushioning member onto the article.

14. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said cushioning member wraps around at least a portion of the article and is thereby mounted thereon during the ordinary use of the article.

15. The cushioning device of claim 14, wherein said cushioning member is a tubular member for mounting onto an elongated article.

16. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said cushioning member comprises a plurality of bladder members spaced apart from each other.

17. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said chamber is divided into a plurality of honeycomb-shaped sub-chambers.

18. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said fluid in said chamber has a pressure of about the same as ambient pressure.

19. The cushioning device of claim 1, wherein said fluid is a gas.

20. A cushioned article comprising a finger-held article and a cushioning device being mounted on said finger-held article, said cushioning device comprising:

a deformable bladder member at least partially defining a chamber therein, said bladder member being sized to fit within a user's finger grip; and

a gaseous medium enclosed in said chamber in a gas-tight manner and in an amount so that said bladder member is deformable under the pressure applied by the user's fingers;

whereby said cushioning device can provide a comfortable grip on said finger-held article for the user's fingers.

21. The cushioned article of claim 20, further comprising a support element positioned with respect to said bladder member and providing a cushioning effect different from that of said bladder member and said medium.

22. The cushioned article of claim 20, wherein said finger-held article is selected from the group consisting of: writing implements, shavers, razors, toothbrushes, eating utensils, precision instruments, and scissors.

23. A cushioning device comprising:

a cushioning member comprising a deformable bladder member at least partially defining a fluid chamber therein and a flowable fluid enclosed in said fluid chamber in a fluid-tight manner, said bladder member and said flowable fluid each being capable of providing a cushioning effect in response to a deforming force; and

an external member positioned outside said fluid chamber to modify the cushioning effect of at least one of said bladder member and said flowable fluid;

wherein:

one of said bladder member and said support element is adapted to mount said cushioning member to an article to be held by a user;

said cushioning member has a pad shape before being mounted onto the article to be held by the user and comprises first and second joining portions configured to be joined together for mounting said cushioning member on the article; and

said external member comprises a seal member formed by overlapping and connecting said joining portions;

whereby said deformable bladder member, said flowable fluid, and said support element are capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect for the user.

24. A cushioning device comprising:

a cushioning member comprising a deformable bladder member at least partially defining a fluid chamber therein and a flowable fluid enclosed in said chamber in a fluid-tight manner, said bladder member and said flowable fluid each being capable of providing a cushioning effect in response to a deforming force; and

a barrel member positioned outside said fluid chamber to modify the cushioning effect of at least one of said bladder member and said flowable fluid;

wherein:

said barrel member defines at least one aperture through which said bladder member extends;

said cushioning element is configured to fit within said barrel member so that said bladder member extends through said aperture; and

one of said bladder member and said barrel member is adapted to mount said cushioning member to an article to be held by a user;

whereby said deformable bladder member, said flowable fluid, and said barrel member are capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect for the user.

25. A cushioned article comprising:

an article configured to receive a cushioning member; and

a cushioning member mounted on said article and comprising:

a deformable bladder member at least partially defining a fluid chamber therein and a flowable fluid enclosed in said fluid chamber in a fluid-tight manner, said bladder member and said flowable fluid each being capable of providing a cushioning effect in response to a deforming force; and

an external member positioned outside said fluid chamber, said external member being more rigid than the bladder member to stabilize said bladder member from shifting;

whereby said deformable bladder member, said flowable fluid, and said support element are capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect for the user.

26. A cushioning device comprising:

a cushioning member comprising a deformable bladder member at least partially defining a fluid chamber therein and a flowable fluid enclosed in said chamber in a fluid-tight manner, said bladder member and said flowable fluid each being capable of providing a cushioning effect in response to a deforming force; and

a rigid external member placed away from said bladder member so that said external member provides an independent cushioning effect from that of said bladder member and said flowable fluid;

wherein one of said bladder member and said support element is adapted to mount said cushioning member to an article to be held by a user;

whereby said deformable bladder member, said flowable fluid, and said support element are capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect for the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cushioning device that is adapted to provide a cushioning effect for a user. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cushioning device that comprises a medium chamber for retaining a flowable medium, such as a fluid, to thereby provide a cushioning effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cushioning devices are generally used on various article handles to provide a cushioning effect for the user. However, depending on the specific application of a cushioning device, the technical problems and users' needs vary. Accordingly, cushioning devices are constructed differently to address the particular problems and needs.

Each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,552 and 5,193,246, issued to Ing-Chung Huang, discloses a shock absorbing device for use with impact articles. Impact articles typically include sports rackets, bicycle or motorcycle handles, steering wheels, hammers, and the like which are to be held by a user's entire hand during use to withstand impact or shock transmitted to or generated by the articles. The shock absorbing devices disclosed in these patents are constructed to be held by a user's hand to provide a cushion between an impact article and the user's hand thereby preventing impact from being transmitted to the user's hand during the use of the impact articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,117, issued to Ben Huang, also discloses a shock absorbing device for use with impact articles. The shock absorbing device is in the form of a resilient compressible body overlying the handle and includes an inflatable tube. When the tube is inflated, it defines a raised profile along the body adjacent the tube. The entire shock absorbing device is constructed to be held by a user's hand during normal use.

Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,104, issued to Giampaolo, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,228, issued to Landsberger, each disclose a hand grip element. The hand grip element is intended to assist the manually impaired with retaining and using conventional implements including eating and cooking utensils, toothbrushes, writing implements, such as pens, and the like. When the hand grip element is inflated and thus expanded, it assumes an ergonomic shape and size compatible with a hand grip so that the manually impaired can easily hold the grip element with their hands.

Other cushioning devices are designed for placement on the gripping portion of finger-held or finger-manipulated articles to increase users' comfort during gripping of the articles. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,926,901 and 5,876,134, issued to Tseng et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,808, issued to Beebe, describe foam grips. The foam grip is tubular and adapted to fit over a finger-held or finger-manipulated article, such as a pen or a toothbrush, to provide a comfortable grip for the user's fingers.

Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,599, issued to McCall et al., discloses a grip for use with a writing implement. The grip encloses a substance that can deform to conform to the shape of a user's fingers in response to the pressure applied by the fingers. However, the deformable substance in the McCall grip retains the deformed shape for at least about five seconds following release of the grip by the user before returning substantially to the initial shape. Consequently, the McCall grip is incapable of quickly resume its initial shape to respond to changing deforming forces. Thus, although the McCall grip conforms to the user's grip, it does not provide much cushioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cushioning device that is adapted to retain a flowable medium, such as a fluid (e.g., gels, liquids, or gases), therein to provide a cushioning effect in response to a deforming force. The cushioning device has a deformable bladder member, which at least partially defines a medium chamber for retaining a flowable medium, such as a fluid, therein to provide a cushioning effect.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cushioning device can be mounted on a finger-held or finger-manipulated article to provide a comfortable finger grip for a user. According to the present invention, finger-held or finger-manipulated articles can include, but are not limited to, writing implements, shavers, razors, toothbrushes, eating utensils, precision instruments, scissors, and the like. The cushioning device is so formed that, when the chamber is filled, the bladder member can fit within the user's finger grip and be deformed by the user's fingers or fingertips. Moreover, the chamber is filled such that the cushioning device can resist deforming forces applied thereto. Thereby the cushioned article is capable of conforming to the user's grip, for ergonomic purposes, while also providing cushioning effect to the user's fingers or fingertips.

In accordance with a separate, different aspect of the present invention, the inventive cushioning device can optionally incorporate a support element to provide an additional or modified cushioning effect than afforded by the bladder member and/or the flowable medium. The support element can be in the form of a deformable insert member positioned in the chamber to support the bladder member from within. The insert member can be sized and shaped to fill a substantial portion of the entire chamber to support the bladder member independently from the flowable medium. When the cushioning device is subjected to a deforming force, the insert member can deform along with both the bladder member and the flowable medium yet provide support to thereby provide a cushioning effect in addition to that provided by the bladder member and the flowable medium. The insert member can be formed of a less deformable material and thus be capable of resisting the deformation of the bladder member to thereby stabilize the same.

The optional support element can alternatively or additionally be positioned outside the chamber and have a different deformability from that of the inflated bladder member. Accordingly, the support element can independently provide a different cushioning effect from that of the inflated bladder member when the cushioning device is subjected to a deforming force. The support element can be formed of a material less deformable than the inflated bladder member and can be positioned in contact with the bladder member. When the bladder member is subjected to a deforming force, the support element is capable of restraining the deformation of the bladder member and thereby stabilizing the same. As a result, the cushioning device is capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect generated by the deformable bladder member, the flowable medium, and the support element, individually or combined.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the scope of the invention being set out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the present invention will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like elements, as follows:

FIG. 1 is plan view of a cushioning device formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-section of the cushioning device of FIG. 1 showing support elements; one of the support elements is removed in order to show the chamber and the flowable medium enclosed therein;

FIG. 3 is another transverse cross-section of the cushioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cushioning device of the present invention showing the cushioning device adapted to be mounted on a hand-held or finger-held article;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of another cushioning device adapted to be mounted on a hand-held or finger-held article;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a cushioned article formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of another cushioning device formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention with a support element;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but shows an alternative support element;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7 but shows an alternative support element;

FIG. 10 is perspective view of another cushioning device formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the support element of the cushioning device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bladder member of the cushioning device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of an alternative bladder member; and

FIG. 14 shows the manufacture process of the cushioning device of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary cushioning devices and cushioned articles embodying the principles of the present invention are shown throughout the drawings and will now be described in detail. In the following description of various embodiments of cushioning devices and cushioned articles, similar elements or components thereof are designated with reference numbers having the same last two digits; redundant description is omitted.

FIGS. 1 to 3 depict an exemplary cushioning device 100 comprising a cushioning member 102 formed according to the present invention. Cushioning member 102 can include a bladder member 104 which is capable of providing a cushioning effect upon application of a deforming force. For example, bladder member 104 can be formed of flexible and/or resilient material that is capable of deforming to thereby provide a cushioning effect independently of other elements of cushioning device 100. Deformable bladder member 104 can at least partially define a medium chamber 106 therein for retaining a flowable medium 108, such as a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas). Flowable medium 108 can also afford a desired cushioning effect independently of other elements of cushioning device 100. In one embodiment, bladder member 104 can be formed of a fluid-tight material to enclose fluid medium 108 therein. Such fluid-tight bladder member 104 is capable of interacting with flowable medium 108 to provide a combined cushioning effect.

As will be described in detail below as a separate and independent aspect of the present invention, a support element 110 can be employed in cushioning device 100. Support element 110 can be formed in various manners to afford an additional cushioning effect. Accordingly, cushioning device 100 of the present invention is capable of providing a comprehensive cushioning effect resulting from deformable bladder member 104, flowable medium 108, and/or support element 110, each capable of providing separate and independent cushioning effects.

According to another, separate aspect of the present invention, an air-filled cushioning device 100 can be provided a finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112, such as shown in FIG. 4, to thereby afford a comfortable grip for the user's fingers when grasping or manipulating finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112. Cushioning device 100 may only partially wrap around finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112. For instance, cushioning device 100 may form a C-shape in cross-section, such as shown in FIG. 5, and be mounted on article 112 in various manners as will be described in greater detail below. Alternatively, cushioning device 100 may wrap completely around finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112, such as illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 and 13, and be mounted on article 112 in various manners as will be described in greater detail below.

In the present invention, finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112 (referenced herein as only "finger-held" for the sake of simplicity and not for limiting purposes) can be configured for grasping and/or manipulation by a user's fingers during its ordinary use and typically receives pressure or force applied by a user's fingers or fingertips. Exemplary finger-held or finger-manipulated articles 112 include, but are not limited to, writing implements, shavers, razors, toothbrushes, eating utensils, precision instruments, scissors, and the like. According to the present invention, finger-held or finger-manipulated articles 112 are to be distinguished from "hand-held" articles 114 which are intended to be held by a user's hand (in contrast to only the fingers) under a normal use circumstance. Examples of hand-held articles 114 can include, but are not limited to, sports rackets, sports equipment handles (e.g., bicycle or motorcycle handles), steering wheels, tools (e.g., hammers), cooking utensils, and the like.

When used on a finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112, such as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, cushioning device 100 of the present invention is adapted to fit within a user's finger grip during any ordinary use of finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112 to provide a comfortable finger grip. Cushioning device 100 can be so sized that it can comfortably fit within a user's finger grip after bladder member 104 is inflated. When the user holds finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112 during its ordinary use, the inflated bladder member 104 is capable of deforming to conform to the user's fingers or fingertips and distributing the pressure applied thereon to eliminate pressure points that could otherwise be felt by the user. Thus, bladder member 104 can provide an ergonomic feel for the user's fingers or fingertips and/or thus reduce the user's finger fatigue from prolonged use of finger-held or finger-manipulated articles 112. The use of an air-filled cushioning device 100 provides a comfortable, supportive, yet cushioning grip area which does not bottom out and which readily conforms to the user's fingers.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary cushioned article 116 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Cushioned article 116 can include a finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112 and an air-filled cushioning device 100 mounted on such finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112 to provide a cushioning effect therefor. For example, finger-held or finger-manipulated article 112 can have a grip portion 118, on which cushioning device 100 is placed and/or mounted.

According to another, separate aspect of the present invention, cushioning device 100 can comprise a support element 110 which is capable of providing an additional cushioning effect other than that afforded by bladder member 104 and/or flowable medium 106. Support element 110 can accomplish this task by modifying and/or enhancing the cushioning effect of bladder member 104 and/or flowable medium 108, such as by supporting bladder member 104 and/or regulating the flow of medium 108. Additionally or alternatively, support element 110 can provide an independent cushioning effect different from that of inflated bladder member 104. As a result, the combination of deformable bladder member 104, flowable medium 108, and support element 110 can provide a comprehensive cushioning effect for a user compared with the cushioning effect provided by any element alone.

Support element 110 can interact with deformable bladder member 104 and/or flowable medium 108 in various manners. For example, support element 110 can be formed so that it can be in contact with inflated bladder member 104 during its deformation. Accordingly, when deformable bladder member 104 is subjected to a deforming force, support element 110 can assist bladder member 104 in withstanding the deforming force and vary the degree of deformation of the inflated bladder member 104. In one embodiment, support element 110 can be formed to be less deformable than inflated bladder member 104 so that it will deform to a lesser degree than the inflated bladder member 104 after being subjected to a deforming force. As a result, support element 110 can stabilize inflated bladder member 104 to thus minimize or prevent any inadvertent lateral or other relative movement between the inflated bladder member 104 and an underlying article. In another embodiment, support element 110, when positioned inside chamber 106, can function to regulate the movement of flowable medium 108 to thereby modify the cushioning effect thereof.

Additionally or alternatively, support element 110 can be constructed separately and independently from deformable bladder member 104 and/or flowable medium 108. For example, support element 110 can be formed to have a different degree of deformability from that of the inflated bladder member 104 to thereby provide a different and/or independent cushioning effect for a user. Thereby, support element 110 can provide a user with a cushioning effect that is different and independent from inflated bladder member 104.

As another, separate feature, support element 110 can be contoured in accorda