In the Inter Partes Review of:
`
`
`
`
`
`Filed:
`
`Issued:
`
`Inventor(s): Pearce, Tony M.
`
`Assignee: Edizone, LLC
`
`Title:
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,026,527
`
`August 13, 1997
`
`February 22, 2000
`
`Gelatinous Cushions With
`Buckling Columns
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
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`Trial Number:
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`To Be Assigned
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`Panel:
`To Be Assigned
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`
`
`To: Mail Stop Inter Partes Review
`
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`
`Commissioners for Patents
`
`PO Box 1450
`
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`APPENDIX IN SUPPORT OF PETITION FOR INTER PARTES
`REVIEW OF U.S. PATENT NO. 6,026,527
`
`
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`

`

`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Appendix Sections
`
`Description of Document
`
`SPX-1001 .................................................................................................U.S. Patent No. 6,026,527
`
`SPX-1002 ........................................................................................... U.S. Patent No. 6,026,527 C2
`(Reexam Cert.)
`
`SPX-1003 .................................................................................................U.S. Patent No. 5,749,111
`
`SPX-1004-1............................................................................................... Amendment in Response
`to Final Rejection
`Serial No. 90/009,003
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`SPX-1004-2............................................................................................... Reasons for Allowability
`Serial No. 90/009,003
`Jan. 5, 2010
`
`SPX-1004-3............................................................................................................... Final Rejection
`Serial No. 90/007,656
`Reexamination of ‘111 Patent
`Aug. 15, 2006
`
`SPX-1005 ................................................................................... U.S. Patent No. 532,429 to Rogers
`
`SPX-1006 ............................................................................... U.S. Patent No. 5,197,206 to Shorten
`
`SPX-1007 .................................................................................. U.S. Patent No. 1,559,532 to Smith
`
`SPX-1008 .............................................................................. U.S. Patent No. 3,876,493 to Gilmore
`
`SPX-1009 ........................................................................... U.S. Patent No. 5,381,607 to Sussmann
`
`SPX-1010 ................................................................................... U.S. Patent No. 5,336,708 to Chen
`
`SPX-1011 ........................................................................................... Declaration of Dr. Rubinstein
`
`SPX-1012 ..................................................................................Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Rubinstein
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`SPX-1013-1.................................................................................................... Definition of “buckle”
`Merriam-Webster Dictionary
`p. 109 (1997)
`
`SPX-1013-2........................................................................ Definitions of “longitudinal” and “axis”
`Merriam-Webster Dictionary
`p. 437 and 67 (1997)
`
`SPX-1013-3......................................................................................................... Definition of “gel”
`Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers
`J.D. Ferry, p. 529-530
`J. Wiley Press, 3d Edition (1980)
`
`SPX-1014 ..................................................................... JAKKS and Edizone v. Imperial Toy Corp.
`Civil Action No. CV-05-3228 (S.D. Cal)
`Order, Jan. 26, 2006
`
`SPX-1015 ........................................................................................................... April 3, 2014 Letter
`Edizone Counsel
`Mr. Casey K. McGarvey
`
`SPX-1016 ........................................................................................... Edizone v. Spenco Complaint
`Civil Action No. 2:14-cv-249 (D. Utah)
`April 3, 2014
`
`

`

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`SPX-1001
`
`SPX-1001
`
`

`

`United States Patent [19J
`Pearce
`
`[54] GELATINOUS CUSHIONS WITH BUCKLING
`COLUMNS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Tony M. Pearce, Alpine, Utah
`
`[73] Assignee: EdiZone, LC, Pleasant Grove, Utah
`
`[ *] Notice:
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/968,750
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Aug. 13, 1997
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[ 63] Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/601,374, Feb. 14,
`1996, Pat. No. 5,749,111.
`Int. Cl? ............................ A47C 27/00; A47C 27/14
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ...................... 5/654; 5!909; 5/948; 428/137;
`428/138
`[58] Field of Search ............................ 5!655.5, 654, 653,
`5!740, 706, 420, 690, 953, 948, 909, 652.1,
`652, 724; 428/137, 138, 131
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1917 Kerivan.
`1,228,783
`2,491,557 12/1949 Goolsbee .................................... 5/348
`2,655,369 10/1953 Musilli ........................................ 267/1
`2,672,183
`3/1954 Forsyth ................................... 155/179
`2,814,053 11/1957 Sevik .......................................... 5/348
`3,407,406 10/1968 Werner et a!. .................................. 2/3
`3,459,179
`8/1969 Olesen ...................................... 128/60
`3,462,778
`8/1969 Whitney ...................................... 5/347
`3,518,786
`7/1970 Holtvoigt .................................... 46/24
`3,529,368
`9/1970 Canfield ..................................... 36/2.5
`3,552,044
`1!1971 Wiele .......................................... 36/71
`3,605,145
`9/1971 Graebe ........................................ 5/348
`3,748,669
`7/1973 Warner ........................................ 5/348
`3,748,779
`7/1973 Cherk eta!. .............................. 46/115
`3,801,420
`4/1974 Anderson .................................. 161!50
`3,893,198
`7/1975 Blair ............................................ 5!345
`3,968,530
`7/1976 Dyson ......................................... 5/338
`3,986,213 10/1976 Lynch ............................................ 3/36
`4,038,762
`8/1977 Swan, Jr ..................................... 36/89
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006026527 A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,026,527
`*Feb.22,2000
`
`4,083,127
`4,144,658
`4,163,297
`4,229,546
`4,243,754
`4,247,963
`4,252,910
`4,255,202
`4,256,304
`4,274,169
`4,279,044
`4,292,701
`4,335,476
`4,335,478
`4,369,284
`4,370,769
`4,422,194
`4,467,053
`4,472,847
`4,483,029
`4,485,505
`
`4/1978 Hanson ....................................... 36/93
`3/1979 Swan, Jr.
`. ................................. 36/117
`8/1979 Neumark ..................................... 5/446
`10/1980 Swan, Jr.
`. ................................. 521!55
`1!1981 Swan, Jr.
`. ................................. 521!55
`2/1981 Reddi .......................................... 5!450
`2/1981 Schaefer .................................. 521!145
`3/1981 Swan, Jr.
`. ............................... 106/122
`3/1981 Smith et a!.
`.............................. 273/60
`7/1981 Standiford ................................... 5!502
`7/1981 Douglas ...................................... 5!453
`10/1981 Woychick ................................... 5/422
`6/1982 Watkin ........................................ 5/464
`6/1982 Watkin ........................................ 5!740
`1!1983 Chen ....................................... 524/476
`2/1983 Herzig et a!. ............................... 5!452
`12/1983 Viesturs et a!. ............................. 5/451
`8/1984 Markle .................................... 521!128
`9/1984 Gammons eta!. ......................... 5!453
`11/1984 Paul ............................................ 5!453
`12/1984 Paul ............................................ 5!453
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 614 622 A1
`1106958
`2 150 431
`wo 91/04290
`wo 92/14387
`wo 96/39065
`wo 97/17001
`
`9/1994
`3/1968
`7/1985
`4/1991
`9/1992
`12/1996
`5/1997
`
`European Pat. Off ..
`United Kingdom .
`United Kingdom .
`WIPO.
`WIPO.
`WIPO.
`WIPO.
`
`Primary Examiner-Alexander Grosz
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel McCarthy; Brick Power
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cushioning element that has a number of substantially
`parallel elongate columns which buckle under an appropri(cid:173)
`ate load. The cushioning element may be formed from a soft,
`easily deformable elastic or visco-elastic cushioning media.
`As a force is exerted against the cushioning element gener(cid:173)
`ally parallel to a column, the cushioning media may
`compress, and eventually the walls of the column may
`buckle. This equalizes pressure across the contact area of the
`object being cushioned.
`
`38 Claims, 45 Drawing Sheets
`
`

`

`6,026,527
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`................................ 36/44
`4,485,568 12/1984 Landi et a!.
`4,498,205
`2/1985 Hino ............................................ 5/449
`4,541,136
`9/1985 Graebe ........................................ 8/456
`4,572,174
`2/1986 Eilender eta!. ........................ 128/149
`4,588,229
`5/1986 Jay .......................................... 297/459
`4,618,213 10/1986 Chen .................................... 350/96.34
`4,628,557 12/1986 Murphy ....................................... 5/446
`4,660,238
`4/1987 Jay .............................................. 5/431
`4,686,724
`8/1987 Bedford ...................................... 5/468
`4,698,864 10/1987 Graebe ........................................ 5/441
`4,709,431 12/1987 Shaktman .................................... 5/481
`4,713,854 12/1987 Graebe ........................................ 5/481
`4,726,624
`2/1988 Jay .......................................... 297/459
`4,728,551
`3/1988 Jay ............................................ 428/76
`4,737,998
`4/1988 Johnson, Sr ................................. 5/422
`4,744,564
`5/1988 Yamada ................................... 273/232
`4,761,843
`8/1988 Jay .............................................. 5/431
`4,842,330
`6/1989 Jay .............................................. 297/4
`4,913,755
`4/1990 Grim ....................................... 156/145
`4,945,588
`8/1990 Cassidy et a!. ............................. 5/451
`4,952,190
`8/1990 Tarnoff et a!. .......................... 446/267
`4,952,439
`8/1990 Hanson ..................................... 428/72
`4,953,913
`9/1990 Graebe .................................... 297/459
`4,959,059
`9/1990 Eilender et a!. ........................ 604/358
`5,010,608
`4/1991 Barnett et a!. .............................. 5!453
`5,013,518
`5/1991 Gilroy et a!.
`............................... 5!453
`5,015,313
`5/1991 Drew et a!. ............................... 156/87
`5,018,790
`5/1991 Jay .......................................... 297/458
`5,020,176
`6/1991 Dotson ........................................ 5!453
`5,027,801
`7/1991 Grim ..................................... 128/80 H
`5,039,567
`8/1991 Landi et a!.
`............................ 428/116
`5,052,068 10/1991 Graebe ........................................ 5!455
`5,053,436 10/1991 Delgado .................................... 521!64
`5,058,291 10/1991 Hanson ..................................... 36/117
`5,074,620 12/1991 Jay eta!. ................................ 297/337
`5,079,786
`1!1992 Rojas .......................................... 5!450
`5,079,787
`1!1992 Pollman ...................................... 5!450
`5,093,138
`3/1992 Drew et a!. ............................... 426/68
`5,100,712
`3/1992 Drew eta!. ............................... 428/68
`5,103,518
`4/1992 Gilroy et a!.
`............................... 5!453
`5,111,544
`5/1992 Graebe ........................................ 5!470
`
`5,147,685
`5,149,173
`5,152,023
`5,163,196
`5,171,766
`5,180,619
`5,190,504
`5,191,752
`5,201,780
`5,203,607
`5,204,154
`5,211,446
`5,255,404
`5,262,468
`5,282,286
`5,289,878
`5,314,735
`5,330,249
`5,334,646
`5,334,696
`5,335,907
`5,336,708
`5,352,023
`5,360,653
`5,362,734
`5,369,828
`5,403,642
`5,421,874
`5,429,852
`5,444,881
`5,445,861
`5,456,072
`5,490,299
`5,496,610
`5,508,334
`5,549,743
`5,592,706
`5,617,595
`5,626,657
`5,633,286
`5,636,395
`5,689,845
`
`9/1992 Hanson ................................... 428/189
`9/1992 Jay eta!. ............................. 297/284.9
`10/1992 Graebe .. ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... 5/654
`11/1992 Graebe et a!. . ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... .... 5/654
`12/1992 Mariano et a!.
`........................ 523/218
`1!1993 Landi et a!.
`............................ 428/116
`3/1993 Scatterday ................................. 482/49
`3/1993 Murphy .................................... 54/44.5
`4/1993 Dinsmoor, III et a!.
`................... 5!455
`4/1993 Landi.
`4/1993 Drew et a!. ............................... 428/68
`5/1993 Jay eta!. ................................ 297/444
`10/1993 Dinsmoor, III et a!.
`................... 5/451
`11/1993 Chen ....................................... 524/476
`2/1994 MacLeish .................................... 5!654
`3/1994 Landi eta!. .............................. 168/14
`5/1994 Aiken ...................................... 428/116
`7/1994 Weber eta!. ........................... 297/214
`8/1994 Chen ....................................... 524/474
`8/1994 Olson et a!.
`............................ 528/322
`8/1994 Spector ..................................... 273/58
`8/1994 Chen ....................................... 524/474
`10/1994 Jay et a!.
`........................... 297/452.21
`11/1994 Ackley ...................................... 428/71
`11/1994 Schapel et a!. ........................... 528/58
`12/1994 Graebe .. ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... 5/654
`............................ 428/116
`4/1995 Landi et a!.
`6/1995 Pearce ..................................... 106/122
`7/1995 Quinn ........................................ 428/71
`................................ 5!653
`8/1995 Landi et a!.
`8/1995 Newton et a!. ......................... 428/116
`10/1995 Stern ........................................ 54/44.5
`. ... ... ... ... .... .. 5/654
`2/1996 Dinsmoor, III et a!.
`3/1996 Landi et a!.
`............................ 428/116
`4/1996 Chen ....................................... 524/474
`8/1996 Pearce ..................................... 106/122
`1!1997 Pearce ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... 5/654
`4/1997 Landi et a!.
`................................ 5/428
`5/1997 Pearce ..................................... 106/122
`5/1997 Chen .. ... .... ... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... 5/636
`6/1997 Serda .......................................... 5/691
`11/1997 Sobieralski et a!. ........................ 5!654
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`FIG. 1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`101
`
`FIG. 3
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`501
`
`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22, 2000
`Feb. 22,2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f 45
`Sheet 4 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`Feb. 22,2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 45
`Sheet 5 0f 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`805
`
`803
`
`801~
`
`803
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22, 2000
`Feb. 22, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 45
`Sheet 6 0f 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`
`
`
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`C!) -u_
`
`

`

`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`:---1105
`v~1106
`
`1102
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`1111
`
`FIG. 11
`
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`1203
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`FIG. 12
`
`i_ ~ 1207
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 9 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`~1305
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`1311
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`1310
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`
`FIG. 13
`
`1403
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`FIG. 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 10 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`FIG. 15
`
`1607
`1604
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`1606
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`~1601
`
`1612
`
`FIG. 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`Feb. 22,2000
`
`Sheet 11 of 45
`Sheet 11 0f 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`
`
`FIG. 17
`
`1803
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22,2000
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 12 0f 45
`Sheet 12 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`1901
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 13 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`FIG. 20
`
`2101
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`/
`
`FIG. 21
`
`

`

`ll.s. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2ooo
`
`Sheet 14
`
`of4s
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`6,026,52
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`
`FIG. 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 15 of 45
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`6,026,527
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 16 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 17 of 45
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`6,026,527
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 18 of 45
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`6,026,527
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`/2501a
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`2503
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 19 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`2501~
`
`2502
`
`2507
`
`25e
`I
`25f
`
`FIG. 25c
`
`2501b~
`
`2503
`
`2507
`
`2504
`
`FIG. 25d
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 20 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`2501~
`
`2501~
`
`2502
`
`2507
`
`2502
`
`2507
`
`FIG. 25e
`
`2506
`
`----__:,._2505
`
`FIG. 25f
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22,2000
`Feb. 22, 2000
`
`Sheet 21 0f 45
`Sheet 21 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 22 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`2701\
`
`0
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`0
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`27b
`I
`27c
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`2702
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`2705
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`2701~
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`2704
`
`2708
`
`2706
`
`FIG. 27a
`
`2703
`
`2706
`
`FIG. 27b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 23 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`2701
`
`2702
`
`2706
`
`/
`
`2708
`
`FIG. 27c
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`Feb. 22, 2000
`
`Sheet 24 of 45
`Sheet 24 0f 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`82
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`
`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 25 of 45
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`6,026,527
`
`C u‘
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 26 of 45
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`6,026,527
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 27 of 45
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 28 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3110~
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`FIG. 31c
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 29 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3210~
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 30 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`FIG. 33a
`
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`FIG. 33b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 31 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3328\
`
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`FIG. 33d
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 32 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3336~
`
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`
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`
`FIG. 33e
`
`FIG. 33f
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 33 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3332~
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 34 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3510~
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`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 35 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3612'\.
`
`CH -CH2
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`:(361!
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 36 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3212
`
`FIG. 37a
`
`FIG. 37b
`
`FIG. 37c
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 37 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3212
`3210~
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`
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`
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`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22,2000
`Feb. 22, 2000
`
`Sheet 38 0f 45
`Sheet 38 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`a...
`
`FIG.38a
`
`/
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 39 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3818~
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 40 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3216
`
`3216
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`
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`
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`FIG. 39f
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22,2000
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 41 0f 45
`Sheet 41 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 42 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`3216~
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22, 2000
`Feb.22,2000
`
`Sheet 44 0f 45
`Sheet 44 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`6,026,527
`
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 22,2000
`
`Sheet 45 of 45
`
`6,026,527
`
`4101~
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`

`

`1
`GELATINOUS CUSHIONS WITH BUCKLING
`COLUMNS
`
`6,026,527
`
`25
`
`This patent application is a continuation-in-part applica(cid:173)
`tion of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/601,374, filed on
`Feb. 14, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,111 and priority is
`claimed thereto for all of the material disclosed either
`explicitly or inherently therein.
`
`2
`issued in the name of Hanson on Aug. 29, 1990; U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,147,685 issued in the name of Hanson on Sep. 15,
`1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,291 issued in the name of Hanson
`on Oct. 22, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,404 issued in the name
`5 of Dinsmoor, III et al. on Oct. 26, 1993; U.S. Pat. No.
`5,201,780 issued in the name of Dinsmoor, III et al. on Apr.
`13, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,330 issued in the name of Jay
`on Jun. 27, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,624 issued in the
`name of Jay on Feb. 23, 1988, each of which is hereby
`I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`10 incorporated in its entirety for the material disclosed therein.
`2. Fluid Cushions: Some in the prior art have attempted to
`A Field of the Invention
`design a comfortable cushion using some type of a flowable
`This invention relates to the field of cushions. More
`fluid (such as liquid, air, gas, emulsion, lubricated objects or
`particularly, this invention relates to a cushion made of
`particles, etc.) within one or more fluid-tight bladders. When
`gelatinous elastomer, gelatinous visco-elastomer, or materi(cid:173)
`15 an object is placed on the fluid cushion, or when an object
`als with similar characteristics which has hollow columns
`resting on the cushion is re-positioned, the fluid flows within
`that compress to provide cushioning and which buckle to
`the bladder and the bladder correspondingly deforms to
`relieve pressure peaks.
`conform to the shape of the object being cushioned. This
`B. The Background Art
`results in a cushion which tends to equally distribute a
`In the prior art, there have been numerous attempts to
`20 cushioning pressure across the entire contact surface of the
`provide a cushion which achieves comfort by eliminating
`object being cushioned, and maximizes the percentage of the
`peak pressure areas and by evenly distributing the cushion(cid:173)
`surface area of the object which is under pressure.
`ing force over a broad surface area. The relevant prior art of
`Correspondingly, this also eliminates or reduces pressure
`which the inventor is aware is categorized and summarized
`peaks on the cushioned object.
`below.
`Prior art fluid cushions have a number of problems,
`1. Foam Cushions: Foam cushions typically include open
`however. First, when the object being cushioned is shifted or
`cell polyurethane foam because of its low cost and light
`repositioned on the fluid cushion, instability may result.
`weight. The open cells are, in effect, air bubbles within the
`Second, depending upon the type of fluid used, the cushion
`polyurethane which can be compressed and from which air
`may have a high thermal mass and a high rate of thermal
`can escape when a force, such as the weight of a cushioned
`30 transfer, resulting in a cushion which is cold to the touch and
`object, is placed on the foam. Alternatively, foam cushions
`which tends to draw heat out of the object being cushioned.
`may use closed cell foam, in which the cells contain air or
`This can result in discomfort when the object being cush(cid:173)
`another gas, but the cells are closed so that the air or gas
`ioned is a human being. Third, fluid cushions are typically
`cannot escape even when a compressive force is applied to
`very costly to manufacture. Fourth, due to the necessity of
`the foam. Closed cell cushions tend to resist deformation
`35 maintaining a fluid-tight bladder, fluid cushions may be
`more than similarly constructed open cell cushions. In
`unreliable due to the possibility of bladder puncture. Fifth,
`function, foam cushions behave much the same as a spring,
`if a fluid cushion is not of sufficient thickness, the object
`permitting the cushioned object to sink into the foam and to
`being cushioned may displace enough of the cushioning
`be supported by rebound pressure; the more the cushioned
`fluid to bottom out against a base on which the fluid bladder
`object sinks into the foam, the higher the rebound pressure.
`40 is resting, resulting in little or no cushioning effect. Sixth,
`When the cushioned object is removed, the foam has a
`fluid cushions have little shape memory, so they do not
`tendency to return to its original shape, a characteristic
`return to their original shape when the cushioned object is
`referred to as "shape memory."
`removed. Consequently, fluid cushions do not have an
`A significant problem with foam cushions is that protrud(cid:173)
`aesthetically pleasing appearance and are typically not con-
`ing portions of the object being cushioned are placed under
`45 sidered appropriate for furniture. Seventh, fluid cushions
`the highest pressure due to the foam's spring-like behavior,
`typically do not permit good air circulation between the
`resulting in pressure on the cushioned object not being
`cushioned object and the cushion, resulting in moisture
`equalized. "Pressure peaks," as defined herein, means areas
`building up between the cushioned object and the bladder
`of a cushioned object which are subject to the greatest
`(e.g., perspiration from a human body). And eighth, many
`amounts of pressure when placed upon a cushioning surface.
`50 (but not all) prior art fluid cushions tended to be very heavy.
`Closed cell foam cushions tend to create even worse pres(cid:173)
`However, fluid cushions which use the composite mixture
`sure peaks than open cell foam cushions due to their inability
`disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,421,874, 5,549,743 and 5,626,
`to permit gas to escape from their cells when the cushion is
`657, each of which issued in the name of Pearce, tend to be
`called on to support an object.
`lightweight.
`Examples of cushions that include foam are included in 55
`Examples of fluid cushions include the following: United
`the following documents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,854 issued in
`Kingdom Patent No. 1,261,475 which was published on Jan.
`the name of Graebe on Dec. 22, 1987; U.S. Pat. No.
`26, 1972; U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,828 issued in the name of
`4,709,431 issued in the name of Shaktman on Dec. 1, 1987;
`Graebe on Dec. 6, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,518 issued in
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,557 issued in the name of Murphy on
`the name of Gilroy et al. on Apr. 14, 1992; U.S. Pat. No.
`Dec. 16, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,053 issued in the name 60 4,945,588 issued in the name of Cassidy et al. on Aug. 7,
`of Markle on Aug. 21, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,786 issued
`1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,998 issued in the name of
`in the name of Holtvoigt on Jul. 7, 1970; and U.S. Pat. No.
`Johnson, Sr. on Apr. 19, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,505
`5,335,907 issued in the name of Spector on Aug. 9, 1994,
`issued in the name of Paul on Dec. 4, 1984; U.S. Pat. No.
`each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for the
`4,292,701 issued in the name of Woychick on Oct. 6, 1981;
`material disclosed therein.
`65 U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,778 issued in the name of Whitney on
`Aug. 26, 1969; U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,183 issued in the name
`The following patents include both foam and a gel or fluid
`(see discussion of gels below): U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,539
`of Forsyth on Mar. 16, 1954; U.S. Pat. No. 2,814,053 issued
`
`

`

`6,026,527
`
`10
`
`35
`
`3
`in the name of Sevcik on Nov. 26, 1957; U.S. Pat. No.
`2,491,557 issued in the name of Goolsbee on Dec. 20, 1949;
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,712 issued in the name of Drew et al. on
`Mar. 31, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,404 issued in the name
`of Dinsmoor, III et al. on Oct. 26, 1994; U.S. Pat. No.
`5,204,154 issued in the name of Drew et al. on Apr. 20,
`1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,780 issued in the name of
`Dinsmoor, III et al. on Apr. 13, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,
`685 issued in the name of Hanson on Sep. 15, 1992; U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,058,291 issued in the name of Hanson on Oct. 22,
`1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,176 issued in the name of Dotson
`on June 4, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,790 issued in the name
`of Jay on May 28, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,138 issued in
`the name of Drew et al. on Mar. 3, 1992; U.S. Pat. No.
`4,842,330 issued in the name of Jay on Jun. 27, 1989; U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,761,843 issued in the name of Jay on Aug. 9,
`1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,551 issued in the name of Jay on
`Mar. 1, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,624 issued in the name of
`Jay on Feb. 23, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,238 issued in the
`name of Jay on Apr. 28, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,229
`issued in the name of Jay on May 13, 1986; U.S. Pat. No.
`4,483,029 issued in the name of Paul on Nov. 20, 1984; U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,255,202 issued in the name of Swan, Jr. on Mar.
`10, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,963 issued in the name of
`Reddi on Feb. 3, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,754 issued in the
`name of Swan, Jr. on Jan. 6, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,546
`issued in the name of Swan, Jr. on Oct. 21, 1980; U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,144,658 issued in the name of Swan, Jr. on Mar. 20,
`1979; U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,127 issued in the name of Hanson
`on Apr. 11, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,762 issued in the name
`of Swan, Jr. on Aug. 2, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,213 issued
`in the name of Lynch on Oct. 19, 1976; and U.S. Pat. No.
`3,748,669 issued in the name of Warner on Jul. 31, 1973,
`each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety for the material disclosed therein.
`3. Gel Cushions: Another design which those in the prior
`art attempted to employ to create an effective cushion
`included the use of gelatinous materials