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CUSHIONS


UPHOLSTERY






WHAT WE DO, AND HOW WE DO IT

Using science we strive to develop advanced cushioning products for heavy
equipment and trucks that significantly increases the occupational health and
safety outcomes for truck drivers and heavy equipment operators.


THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SEATING 



WEIGHT REDISTRIBUTION:

Our goal is to improve operator “health and safety outcomes” starting with
improving seating comfort and then move on to reducing vibration and shock
loads. To achieve these goals we have conducted over 500 individual tests to
identify the cushioning materials and designs to achieve these goals.

As a result of this extensive testing program we have achieved and significant
improvement in seating comfort through weight redistribution. We cannot
eliminate the weight of a body on a cushion we can however re-distribute that
weight more equally over the entire seated area. When a person sits on a
standard molded foam seat cushion the downward force of the weight results in
“pushback” force on the body. This “pushback” pressure can be high enough that
it will restrict blood flow to the affected areas of the body. This restriction
can starve the muscles and tissues in those areas of essential oxygen. The
result is discomfort and possible pain.

Through our extensive body mapping testing we have identified a new fabric that
redistributes the operator weight over a wider area. This body mapping is a
valuable tool  in helping us better understand the pressure exerted on the
Ischial Tuberosity bones commonly known as sit bones. This is the area where the
blood flow can be reduced or blocked. The result has been a significant
reduction of these high pressure points.


SIT BONES

Ischial Tuberosity Function

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This fabric is commonly known as 3D Spacer fabric as is composed of a top and
bottom layer interconnected by a center layer of fibers. The unique feature of
this product is that it’s construction can be engineered to achieve specific
outcomes. Not all Spacer fabrics are equal and it is the engineering input that
sets a few apart from the common general use spacer fabric products.


3D SPACER FABRIC

Engineering changes are acheived by varying the diameter, density, angle between
top and bottom surfaces and thickness.

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ENGINEERED


ENGINEERING OF SPACER FABRIC IS ACHEIVED BY:

 * Varying the diameter of the connecting "layer"
 * Varying the density of the "spacer layer"
 * Varying the angle of the spacer layer direction between the top and bottom
   layers
 * Varying the overall thickness
 * Bonding varying constructions together

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With the advanced AOSH cushion a person should be able to maintain and adequate
flow of blood to the affected area reducing or eliminating the possibility of
any discomfort or pain. These results are based on a double layer of engineered
spacer fabric used as either an add-on personal use cushion or a redesigned
upholstery set. However we have also been surprised to learn that we have
produced improvements with just 1 layer of fabric. While these improvements are
less than our double layers they still offer a worthwhile benefit, making our
standard upholstery sets an industry first.

We are making progress in identifying suitable  materials that when incorporated
into the seat cushion should reduce the shock and low frequency vibrations
transmitted through the seat cushioning further increasing the operator comfort.
As we are in the final stages of completing our “comfort testing” we will
address the shock and low frequency issues and begin the work on designing our
prototype cushioning.

“ODOR SHIELD” ANTIMICROBIAL FABRIC TREATMENT*:

There have been many complaints over the years regarding odors being present in
the cabs of heavy equipment, Most are attributed this to a previous operator and
their “lack of hygiene”. The real cause is the presence of bacterial activity
usually within the seat fabric that has been the result of spilled liquids or
dropped food by previous operators. In our advanced seat fabrics we will be
treating them with a recognized antimicrobial treatment from a global industry
leader. This treatment will provide at least a 3 year period of effectiveness in
destroying bacteria. The antimicrobial treatment is permanently attached to the
fabric fibers and is not affected by abrasion or laundering and is approval by
the EPA and FDA in the USA. An added benefit of this treatment is that it
provides an improved level of water repellency making the fabric easier to keep
clean.

* Effective September 2020

FABRIC BREATHABILITY:

Our seating fabrics are produced by a leading mill in the USA that has a proven
record of producing fabrics with a high resistance to wear while still providing
a high level of seating comfort. Air can easily pass through the fabric. This
eliminates hot spots increasing the operator's comfort and helping to control
moisture.




FUTURE PROJECTS



LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATIONS:

It has been clearly proven that the cumulative effect of these low frequency
vibrations between 0.5 HZ and 100HZ present a health issue for heavy equipment
operators. We have conducted over 300 individual tests including low frequency
vibrations plus the data collected from road tests on a wide range of cushioning
materials. These range from standard OEM products through to several styles of
new advanced materials. The results have shown us that through the use of some
of these advanced products we can achieve a reduction of over 35% in the
transmissions of these harmful vibrations through the seat to the operator. When
viewed over longer periods of time this level of reduction is significant and
should been seen as improving operator health and safety outcomes.

SHOCK LOADS:

Studies have shown that certain specific mining operations can generate shock
values that travel through the equipment to the seat and subsequently to the
operator. One in particular is “High Impact Shovel Loading Operations” or
“HISLO” which occurs during the loading of large mine trucks. While this study
currently focuses on the large above ground mining equipment we feel the same
situation also applies in underground mining operations while smaller trucks are
being loaded. Through a series of shock tests we have found that by improved
controlling of certain features found in some suspension seats we can achieve
reductions of the transmission of intermittent shock loads by over 45%. When
viewed over a shift or normal workweek these cumulative results become very
significant. The modifications do not alter the original structures within the
seat nor do they compromise the safety standards that govern these seats.

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CONTACT INFO:

USA: 2721 HARVEY STREET, HUDSON, WI USA 54016
CANADA: 150-6165 HWY 17, DELTA, BC V4K 5B8


USA: 360-945-1690  |  CANADA: 604-943-3887
SALES@AOSHSYSTEMS.COM