A reduced outflow valve in fluid communication with an inflatable apparatus comprising a tubular body defining an inner bore and a plunger slidingly engaged in the bore. Inflation of the inflatable apparatus urges the plunger to a first position configured to allow rapid ingress of air into the cushion to inflate the cushion and deflation of the inflatable apparatus urges the plunger to a second position wherein the plunger is configured as a baffle to dampen or slow air egress during release of air.

A drop-in seat deck for furniture assemblies. Various embodiments reduce the complexity and bulk of the seating frame, and also reduce the labor associated with assembly. Unlike the conventional spring suspensions, which apply constant spring loaded forces on the frame rails to maintain the springs in tension, the spring load force of the disclosed drop-in seat deck is provided by solely by the structure of the drop-in seat deck. Thus, the frame can be designed to support only the weight of the seated person is transferred to the rails of the seating frame, without consideration for pre-loading the seat deck. In various embodiments, dimensional changes to the seat deck occur under load. In some embodiments, these changes are accommodated by enabling a free end of the seat deck to slide on a support surface; in other embodiments, the changes are accommodated by flexures that are integral to the seat deck.

A chair assembly includes a base assembly, a seat assembly having a pair of side edges and a fore-to-aft extending longitudinal centerline, a back assembly movable between upright and reclined positions, and an arm assembly including an arm base extending from a first location between the side edges to a second location laterally outward of one of the side edges, wherein the arm base extends at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal centerline and at an upward angle from the first location toward the second location, a support assembly supported by and extending upwardly from the arm base, and an armrest supported by the support assembly that is adjustable to support the armrest between a plurality of selected vertical positions, wherein the arm assembly and back assembly move at a different rate from one another as the back assembly is moved between the upright and reclined positions.

A portable elevating seat for assisting a person into and out of a seating includes a central telescoping unit with a seating member mounted thereon. Preferably, the seat further includes a pneumatic pump and at least one pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the central telescoping unit for providing a flow of air into and out of the central telescoping unit. The seat includes a power source being in electronic communication with the pneumatic pump. The seat further includes a control unit in electronic communication with the pneumatic pump and the power source for actuating the seat between a raised and a lowered position. As the pneumatic pump is actuated by the control unit, air flows into the central telescoping unit, thus extending the central telescoping unit and lifting the seating member to a desired height.

A portable elevating seat for assisting a person into and out of a seating includes a central telescoping unit with a seating member mounted thereon. Preferably, the seat further includes a pneumatic pump and at least one pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the central telescoping unit for providing a flow of air into and out of the central telescoping unit. The seat includes a power source being in electronic communication with the pneumatic pump. The seat further includes a control unit in electronic communication with the pneumatic pump and the power source for actuating the seat between a raised and a lowered position. As the pneumatic pump is actuated by the control unit, air flows into the central telescoping unit, thus extending the central telescoping unit and lifting the seating member to a desired height.

A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel interior strings of individually pocketed coil springs. The interior strings of springs may extend from head-to-foot or side-to-side of the product. The pocketed spring assembly further comprises at least one perimeter string of springs. Each of the springs of each perimeter string of springs has rectangular convolutions to provide edge support to the product.

A support surface including a cutout on a bottom surface of the support surface. The cutout, which can include a plurality of cutouts, provides a controlled structural collapse of the support surface by varying a stiffness in a cross-section. That is, the area in which the cutouts are positioned collapses more easily than the surrounding area of the support structure, thus making the area with the cutouts perceived as being softer. The cutouts can reduce the peak pressures on the portion of the user's body (for example, the user's ischial tuberosities) that is positioned over the cutouts. The support surface can also include a low-friction interface extending across a top surface of the support surface.

A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

A chair back assembly includes a back shell member including laterally extending top, bottom and side portions cooperating to define an open space therebetween, where a portion of the back shell member is located in a lumbar region, a cover having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the cover covers at least a portion of the open space, and a back frame assembly operably supporting the back shell member and movable between upright and reclined positions, wherein the back frame assembly causes the back shell to flex in a fore-to-aft direction as the back frame assembly is moved between the upright and reclined positions independent of an external force being exerted on the back shell member, and where the lumbar portion of the back shell member remains spaced from the back frame as the back frame is moved between the upright and reclined positions.

A chair back assembly includes a back shell member including laterally extending top, bottom and side portions cooperating to define an open space therebetween, where a portion of the back shell member is located in a lumbar region, a cover having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the cover covers at least a portion of the open space, and a back frame assembly operably supporting the back shell member and movable between upright and reclined positions, wherein the back frame assembly causes the back shell to flex in a fore-to-aft direction as the back frame assembly is moved between the upright and reclined positions independent of an external force being exerted on the back shell member, and where the lumbar portion of the back shell member remains spaced from the back frame as the back frame is moved between the upright and reclined positions.