US 6,273,810 · Granted 2001-08-14
The Smart Air Cell That Cools You While It Supports You
Imagine a pillow or car seat cushion filled with air that does two jobs at once: it inflates to support your body where you need it, and it has tiny holes that let air flow out to cool your skin. This patent describes how to build that clever two-in-one air cell so it doesn't leak while it's working.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers an inflatable air cell made from two layers of flexible material sealed around the edges, where one layer is completely waterproof and the other has intentional perforations or holes. What's protected here is the specific design where pressurized air from inside the cell can escape through the perforated layer to ventilate the surface while still maintaining enough pressure to support an occupant's weight. No one can copy this exact combination of sealed inflation plus controlled air venting without a license.
Why it matters
This patent solved a real problem in vehicle seats and high-end mattresses: comfort requires both support and breathability, but traditional air cushions either trap heat or lose pressure. By engineering the perforated layer to release just enough air for cooling while keeping the cell inflated, manufacturers could offer premium seating that adapts to body temperature and pressure points simultaneously. This kind of innovation became a selling point for luxury car and furniture brands competing on comfort.
Real-world use
When you sit in a high-end car seat with climate control or lie on a premium air mattress that feels cool and supportive, you're likely benefiting from this dual-function air cell technology.
Original USPTO abstract
An air cell support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an air cell constructed from facing sheets of flexible material that are sealed along their marginal edges. One of the sheets is impermeable and the other of the sheets is perforated to direct air from the air cell for ventilating an occupant support surface while providing a source of pressure for inflating the air cell.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 6,273,810
- Filing date
- 1999-09-10
- Grant date
- 2001-08-14
- Assignee
- Mccord Winn Textron Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- RHODES, JR. RICHARD D., MORAN SCOTT J., BURT STEPHEN
- CPC class
- A47C27/10
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