U.S. patent application number 11/893843 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for child seat/holder.
Invention is credited to Carol Lorentz.
Application Number | 20080040854 11/893843 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39099961 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080040854 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lorentz; Carol |
February 21, 2008 |
Child seat/holder
Abstract
Disclosed is a seat/holder or support device including a base
mattress or padded surface in combination with a ring-like border,
whereby the seat/holder may be used to comfortably support an
infant, child or adult, including those having a physical
disability.
Inventors: |
Lorentz; Carol; (Rochester,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD J. GREENWALD P.C.
349 W. COMMERCIAL STREET SUITE 3075
EAST ROCHESTER
NY
14445-2408
US
|
Family ID: |
39099961 |
Appl. No.: |
11/893843 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60822818 |
Aug 18, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/417 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/063 20130101;
A47D 15/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/417 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/06 20060101
A47D013/06 |
Claims
1. A seat/holder, comprising: a padded planar surface having a
generally circular shape; and a ring-like border, operatively
attached to the planar surface, said ring-like border extending
upward from the planar surface around the periphery thereof,
wherein a human may lie or sit in contact with the planar surface,
while the head and/or one or more appendages may also rest on or
over a portion of the border and provide support therefor.
2. The seat/holder of claim 1, further comprising a cover material
covering said padded planar surface.
3. The seat/holder of claim 2, wherein said covering further serves
as a means for operatively attaching said padded planar surface to
said ring-like border (e.g., the covering includes a fastener such
as snaps, zipper, etc. that connect the planar surface to the
ring-like border).
4. The seat/holder of claim 2, wherein the covering material is
selected from the group consisting of: Man-made and synthetic
materials including vinyl, polycord, polyamide, recycled fibers
(fleece, etc.), polyester, Nylon, knit and woven materials,
acetates, Lycra, Spandex; Naturally occurring materials including
cotton, wool, hemp, silk, and alternatives and combinations
thereof.
5. The seat/holder of claim 1, wherein at least one of said padded
planar surface and said ring-like border include padding in the
form of a foam filling, either solid such as viscous or
viscoelastic or a liquid foam.
6. The seat/holder of claim 1, wherein at least one of said padded
planar surface and said ring-like border include padding in the
form of a closed-cell foam.
7. The seat/holder of claim 1, wherein at least one of said padded
planar surface and said ring-like border include padding in the
form of a memory foam, such as viscous or viscoselastic.
8. The seat/holder of claim 1, further comprising a harness
associated therewith or one or more carrying straps, including when
it size is modified larger than about 28 inches in diameter (or
largest dimension) to permit the seat/holder to be carried.
9. The seat/holder of claim 8, wherein the strap is suitable for
attaching the seat to a user's shoulder for transport.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application 60/822,818 filed Aug. 18, 2006. The entire
content of this patent application is hereby incorporated by
reference into this specification.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application is directed to an improved child
seat/holder, and more particularly to a portable, ring-shaped
device suitable for use with children and others that may have
difficulty with mobility, support, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Children and others that exhibit disabilities frequently
remain in homes or other personalized care situations where it is
necessary for a parent or aide to provide a safe and secure
location for the child to rest or relax. In such situations, there
is a need for a "child seat/holder" or other portable device that
provides not only a padded surface on which to rest, but also
provides a padded border that encloses the child and his/her toys
and the like. The present invention is directed to such a device
and further includes features that enable one to easily use, store
and transport the device.
[0004] Disclosed in embodiments herein is a seat/holder,
comprising: a padded planar surface having a generally circular
shape; and a ring-like border, operatively attached to the planar
surface, said ring-like border extending upward from the planar
surface around the periphery thereof, wherein a human may lie or
sit in contact with the planar surface, while the head and/or one
or more appendages may also rest on or over a portion of the border
and provide support therefor, also for activities such as but not
limited to exercising, sleeping, and playing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrations of embodiments of the
child seat/holder in use;
[0006] FIGS. 2A-2E represent various orthographic views of an
embodiment of the seat/holder in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0007] FIGS. 3A-3B are alternative illustrations of a cross-section
of the seat/holder in accordance with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an illustration of one type of harness that can be
attached to the seat/holder or its storage or carry bag or duffle
for transport, and also be adjusted to accommodate the
transporter's height and width.
[0009] The various embodiments described herein are not intended to
limit the invention to those embodiments described. On the
contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] As more particularly set forth below, the disclosed system
provides a surface upon which a user (human) can rest all or a
portion of his/her body. As previously noted, the seat/holder is
particularly adapted to use with infants and children, including
infants and children with disabilities. The seat/holder 20, as
depicted generally in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is designed to safely
support a child 26 on a generally horizontal surface. The
seat/holder preferably includes padding beneath and around the
edges thereof so as to provide a supportive and safe "environment"
where the child 26 may relax, rest, sleep, sit, exercise or play
comfortably.
[0011] Referring next to the various orthographic drawings of FIGS.
2A-2E, in one embodiment the seat/holder includes a mattress or
similar padded planar surface 30 having a generally circular shape.
The mattress is operatively attached or is constrained within a
ring-like border 34, the ring-like border extending upward from the
planar surface around the periphery thereof, wherein a human child
may lie or sit in contact with the mattress, while the head and/or
one or more appendages may also rest on or over a portion of the
border and provide support therefor. As indicated in the figures,
the diameter of the circular mattress is approximately 24 inches,
while the border has a width, and height, of approximately 4
inches. It will, however, be appreciated that the respective
dimensions may be modified based upon the needs and abilities of
the user, as well as the users size, weight or physical
proportions.
[0012] In one embodiment, the child seat/holder 20 may be formed of
a foam material, or may include chambers or sections. In an
alternative embodiment, one or more sections may be adjusted for
firmness by altering the fill material, or possibly by making the
chamber or a section of the chamber suitable for filling with air
to adjust the thickness and/or the amount of support. The invention
also contemplates the use of set components, such as anti-bacterial
material. In such embodiments, the seat/holder could include a
continuous outer layer of vinyl, naugahyde (synthetic, leather-like
material) or similar impermeable, yet flexible coating to
facilitate the easy cleaning and disinfecting of the seat/holder
components. It is also contemplated that the seat/holder 20 may
include a cover material covering substantially all of said padded
planar surface (mattress) and the ring-like border. The cover can
be made, for example, of either vinyl or cloth and/or disposable
material as well, for sanitary and/or hygienic purposes, and
convenience (e.g., if changing versus washing covers). The cover
may also, in one embodiment provide for or serve as a storage
container for the seat/holder.
[0013] Although generally depicted as a single-piece unit,
seat/holder 20 may also have two separable components (mattress 30
and boundary 34, which are held in place relative to one another by
the covering, which further serves as a means for operatively
attaching the mattress to the ring-like border by attached
Velcro.TM. or other hook-loop or similar fastener, on bottom of
mattress 30 or on top planar surface 31. While there are various
materials that may prove suitable for use as the covering material,
the materials currently contemplated include man-made and synthetic
materials such as vinyl, polycord, polyamide, woven or knit fabric,
nylon, Lycra.TM. or similar spandex, acetate or combinations
thereof, recycled fibers (fleece, etc.), as well as naturally
occurring materials such as cotton, wool, hemp, silk, or
combinations thereof. In yet another alternative embodiment, the
seat/holder components may be separately constructed, with
permanent or removable coverings, and then separately attached to
one another via means such as buttons, snaps, zippers, hook and
loop fasteners such as Velcro.TM. or other fastening means.
Moreover, the ability to dis-assemble the components may enable
storage and transport of the seat/holder to further improve the
usefulness of the apparatus.
[0014] Referring next to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the figures illustrate a
cross-section of two alternative designs of the seat/holder 20. It
will be appreciated that while certain shapes and relative
proportions are illustrated, the seat/holder may be formed using
any number of shapes, including shapes that may vary about the
periphery of the seat/holder. In other words, the shape and size of
the border may vary along the periphery so as to provide different
types of angles or surfaces that may be used to support the
infant's and child's arms, legs, head, etc. A variable size/shape
border may also facilitate the use of the seat/holder by infants
and children of varying sizes and physical requirements, and to
accommodate the different size surfaces where the seat/holder can
be placed, including tables (round, oval, rectangular, square).
pediatric tables, nurse's station; other areas/spaces such as a
floor, beds (twin, queen, full), vehicle spaces such as the rear
deck of a minivan or automobile, etc.
[0015] In FIGS. 3A and 3B, at least one of the padded planar
(mattress) surfaces 30 and/or ring-like border 34 include padding
50 in the form of an air-filled compartment. Alternatively, the
padding may be in the form of a closed-cell foam, including a
memory foam such as viscous or viscoelastic which provides
full-body and spinal support of the infant or child. A liquid foam
can also be inserted in the outer border that hardens to a foam
(closed-cell, open-cell, etc.) that also supports as well, as an
alternative for cost effectiveness. The rigidity or flexibility can
be controlled as a function of the type of raw material or
composite used for the foam.
[0016] In yet a further alternative embodiment, as depicted in FIG.
2C, the seat 20 may include at least one looped strap(s) or
tether(s) 60 associated therewith to permit the seat to be carried
or suspended from a hook or hanger during storage, or two straps
may be added to a larger seat/holder (e.g., larger than 28 inch
diameter) for easier transport. The strap or harness may be
attached, for example, to base 34 as shown, where a harness is
depicted in FIG. 2C as attached to the seat/holder bottom for
transport, and adjustable for transporter's shoulder size and
width, or as size is modified. It is also contemplated that the
straps may be connected at other locations or in different ways,
possibly even to a storage or carry bag or duffle in which the
child seat/holder may be stored. Materials that can be used for
such a harness, include high density or ballistic nylon or
microfiber, as well as the various materials described herein or as
otherwise known for use in harnesses and other carrying and
transport bags and the like. Tabs can be attached to the mattress
for easy removal of mattress from the ring.
[0017] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives
thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different
systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
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