An airbag includes a bag portion including two sheet members which are attached to each other. The bag portion provided with the sheet members which are attached to each other includes a peripheral rim portion having a plurality of bent side portions, the bent side portions which each is bent by filling with air inside the bag portion, the bent side portions, the bent side portions which each is formed with a groove-shaped constriction at a surface of the bag portion which is configured to inflate by filling with air.

A convertible seat including: a support frame; and

a user support having a support surface on one side defining a rounded periphery, the user support being movable from a first configuration supported by the support frame with the rounded periphery presented upwardly, to a second configuration supported by the support frame such that a seat or seat base is presented upwardly, the seat or seat base being substantially flat or at least less rounded than the rounded periphery, with the support surface being stowed substantially below the seat or seat base in the second configuration. The seat allows the attainment in a single unit both the healthy balance/core-strengthening of a fitness chair and a conventional chair.

A method of manufacturing suspension seating includes providing a blank to be used in a suspension member. The blank has a non-visible marker. The method also includes illuminating the non-visible marker with an excitation source. The non-visible marker becomes detectable when illuminated by the excitation source. The method further includes sensing the non-visible marker with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the non-visible marker when illuminated by the excitation source. The method also includes determining, by a controller, a characteristic of the blank using the non-visible marker. The controller is in communication with the sensor and configured to receive information related to the non-visible marker from the sensor. The method further includes adjusting the blank to achieve the desired characteristic.

A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix, wherein the lattice matrix includes a first portion defined by a first pattern of interconnected links which defines a first set of cells, and a second portion defined by a second pattern of interconnected links which defines a second set of cells. The first portion of the lattice matrix includes a density profile that is different than a density profile of the second portion of the lattice matrix. An air bladder is disposed within a core portion of the lattice matrix and includes a non-porous outer casing surrounding an interior cavity. The outer casing of the air bladder and the lattice matrix are integrated components comprised of a common material to define a monolithic structure created using an additive manufacturing process.

A convertible seat including: a support frame; and a user support having a support surface on one side defining a rounded periphery, the user support being movable from a first configuration supported by the support frame with the rounded periphery presented upwardly, to a second configuration supported by the support frame such that a seat or seat base is presented upwardly, the seat or seat base being substantially flat or at least less rounded than the rounded periphery, with the support surface being stowed substantially below the seat or seat base in the second configuration. The seat allows the attainment in a single unit both the healthy balance/core-strengthening of a fitness chair and a conventional chair.

The invention relates to a method for using a cushion, in particular for a chair, said cushion having a first cushion element (6) that can be moved with an associated degree of freedom. In said method, a sensor (98a, 98b, 98c, 98d) integrated into the cushion is used to sense the position or the change in position relative to at least one first cushion element (6), with respect to at least one degree of freedom associated with said element. The sensor (98a, 38b, 98c, 98d) is coupled to an interface (93) for the wireless output of measured values. The sensor (98a, 98b, 98c, 98d) senses measured values and sends at least some of the measured values over the interface (93) to a device (70, 80) outside the cushion, said device (70, 80) receiving and evaluating the measured values and emitting an output signal.

A seat assembly is provided having a seat bottom and at least one bladder mounted to the seat bottom adjacent a forward surface and filled with a compressible material. The bladder is moveable between a storage position and at least one leg-support position. A valve is in fluid communication with the at least one bladder. A vacuum pump in fluid communication with the valve. The compressible material is compressed under vacuum pressure generated by the pump when the valve is closed in the storage position. The compressible material is expanded when the valve is open to move the at least one bladder to the leg-support position.

A methane conversion device comprises a reaction chamber; a sensor for detecting the presence of methane; blowing means for directing external gasses Into the reaction chamber when the sensor detects the presence of methane above a predetermined threshold; conversion means that are configured to oxidise methane; and positioning means for positioning the device on an animal.

A pneumatically adjustable bladder system (90) for use in a cushioned seat bottom (24) has one or two rear foam filled bladders (62, 64) for location under the ischial tuberosities of a seated occupant of the seat bottom, and one or more expansion chambers (14, 16) or front foam filled bladders (66, 68) for location under the thighs of the seated occupant. There are air passageways (70, 72, 74, 92) interconnecting the bladders with each other or with an expansion chamber. The system is air tight and the bladders are compressible under the weight of the seated occupant and are expandable when the weight is removed. The compression of a bladder causes air therewith in to be displaced through the air passageways to the expansion chambers or to the other bladders, which then expand. The compression of a bladder under the ischial tuberosities of the seated occupant and the expansion of the expansion chambers or of the other bladders under the thighs of the seated occupant cause the seated occupant to experience a correct level of immersion into the cushioned seat bottom which is desired for effective postural support and prevention of lower back pain.

Pressure modulating soft actuator array devices and related systems and methods. One example of the present systems comprises: a device having a body that defines a plurality of cavities; a pressure source configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of cavities; a plurality of sensors configured to capture data indicative of pressure within the plurality of cavities; and one or more controllers configured to actuate the pressure source to move fluid toward and/or away from one or more of the plurality of cavities in response to data captured by the plurality of sensors; wherein the device is configured to be disposed between a user and a surface on which the user is seated upon.