U.S. patent application number 11/941778 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for turkey seat with memory foam.
Invention is credited to Andrew Hoban, Edward Larson.
Application Number | 20080122267 11/941778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39462909 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080122267 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Larson; Edward ; et
al. |
May 29, 2008 |
TURKEY SEAT WITH MEMORY FOAM
Abstract
A cushion of a portable seat is formed from multiple layers
including at least one memory foam layer. In one implementation,
the portable seat is constructed as a turkey seat incorporated into
hunting vest design. The seat cushion (100) includes an uppermost
layer (102) positioned proximate to the user, a lowermost layer
(106) that will be disposed proximate to the ground, a stadium
bench or the like and an intermediate layer (104). The uppermost
layer (102) may be formed from a memory foam material, the
intermediate layer (104) may be formed from an open cell foam
material and the lower most layer (106) may be formed from closed
cell foam. This construction allows for desired memory foam
conformance while providing significant cushioning for
substantially any user under substantially any condition and yields
a product of suitable weight for portable applications.
Inventors: |
Larson; Edward; (Sidney,
NE) ; Hoban; Andrew; (Dalton, NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSH, FISCHMANN & BREYFOGLE LLP
3151 SOUTH VAUGHN WAY, SUITE 411
AURORA
CO
80014
US
|
Family ID: |
39462909 |
Appl. No.: |
11/941778 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60866158 |
Nov 16, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/4 ;
297/337 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/021 20130101;
A47C 4/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/4 ;
297/337 |
International
Class: |
A47C 4/28 20060101
A47C004/28; A47C 7/18 20060101 A47C007/18 |
Claims
1. A portable seat, comprising: a cushion; and a structure for
facilitating carrying of the cushion by a user; wherein said
cushion is formed from a memory foam material.
2. A portable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cushion
includes a first layer of said memory foam material and a second
layer of cushioning material.
3. A portable seat as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second
layer comprises a non-memory foam material.
4. A portable seat as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cushion
comprises a first layer of said memory foam material, a second
layer of first non-memory foam material and a third layer of second
non-memory foam material different than said first non-memory foam
material.
5. A portable seat as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first
non-memory foam material is an open cell foam material and said
second non-memory foam material as a closed cell foam material.
6. A portable seat as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second
layer is interposed between said first layer and said third
layer.
7. A portable seat as set forth in claim 6, wherein said memory
foam material is disposed in an external user contact portion of
said cushion.
8. A portable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein said structure
comprises a garment assembly and an attachment assembly for
attaching said cushion to said garment assembly.
9. A portable seat as set forth in claim 8, wherein said attachment
assembly allows for movement of said cushion between a stowed
position and a deployed position.
10. A portable seat, comprising: a cushion; a backrest; and a
structure for allowing relative movement of the seat in relation to
the backrest between a stowed position, wherein the seat is
positioned against a backrest, and a deployed position, wherein the
seat extends at a seating angle relative to the backrest.
11. A portable seat as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cushion
is formed from a memory foam material.
12. A portable seat as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cushion
includes a first layer of said memory foam material and a second
layer of cushioning material.
13. A portable seat as set forth in claim 12, wherein said second
layer comprises a non-memory foam material.
14. A portable seat as set forth in claim 12, wherein said cushion
comprises a first layer of said memory foam material, a second
layer of first non-memory foam material and a third layer of second
non-memory foam material different than said first non-memory foam
material.
15. A portable seat as set forth in claim 14, wherein said first
non-memory foam material is an open cell foam material and said
second non-memory foam material as a closed cell foam material.
16. A portable seat as set forth in claim 14, wherein said second
layer is interposed between said first layer and said third
layer.
17. A portable seat as set forth in claim 10, wherein said backrest
is integrated into a garment assembly.
18. A portable seat, comprising: a vest including shoulder straps
for extending over the shoulders of a user; a seat cushion
including memory foam; and a structure for movably interconnecting
the seat to the vest such that the seat is movable between a stowed
position, wherein the seat is disposed against a back portion of
the vest, and a deployed position, wherein the seat extends at a
seating angle relative to a said back portion of the vest.
19. A portable seat as set forth in claim 18, wherein said cushion
includes a first layer of said memory foam material and a second
layer of cushioning material.
20. A method for using a portable seat, comprising the steps of:
providing a portable seat including a cushion having a first layer
formed from a memory foam material and a second layer of non-memory
foam cushioning material; disposing said portable seat so that said
second layer is adjacent to a seating surface; and sitting on said
first layer.
21. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said portable seat
is connected to a garment assembly and said step of disposing
comprises moving said portable seat in relation to said garment
assembly from a stowed position to a deployed position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/866,158, entitled, "TURKEY SEAT WITH
MEMORY FOAM," filed on Nov. 16, 2006, the contents of which are
incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable seats,
such as turkey seats or stadium seats, and, in particular, to
portable seats that employ a memory foam cushion for improved
comfort and performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable seats are used in a variety of environments, such
as hunting and in stadiums. Typically, the portable seats include a
seat panel and a backrest. The seat panel may be connected to the
backrest by means of a strap or other support such that, when the
user is seated on the seat, he can lean against the backrest to get
some degree of back support.
[0004] This case of a turkey seat is illustrative. Turkey seats are
used by hunters, for example, in connection with hunting wild
birds. In this context, the hunter may be required to wait a
substantial period of time for a good hunting opportunity. Of
course, it is desirable to be able to remain comfortably seated
while waiting. Moreover, if the hunter is comfortable, movement may
be reduced, increasing the chances that the hunter will avoid
detection and enhancing the chances for success.
[0005] When a hunting opportunity arises, it is desirable to use
the turkey seat so as to remain steady for a shot. In particular, a
solid back support assists in this regard. It is also desirable
that the turkey seat be quickly and quietly deployable, again, so
as to avoid detection at critical junctures.
[0006] Because portable seats are often used in environments such
as in connection with hunting, as discussed above, or at a stadium,
it is desirable that the seats be compact and lightweight. In
particular, in contexts as described above, the user is often
carrying a variety of additional gear at the same time as he is
carrying the portable seat, and all of these materials may be
carried a substantial distance. For example, portable seats may be
formed with a collapsible aluminum frame. In such cases, the seat
and backrest may be formed from nylon panels attached to the
frame.
[0007] In at least one case, a turkey seat has been incorporated
into a hunting vest. In this case, the seat is formed from a
substantially unpadded flip-out nylon panel. During transport, the
nylon panel can be folded up against the back of the vest and
secured in place. When it is desired to use the seat, the panel
flips out and can be secured to a back portion of the vest by way
of nylon straps. In this manner, the back portion of the vest
serves as an effective backrest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a portable seat
including memory foam padding, at least in the seat portion of the
product. As is known, memory foam is made from polyurethane treated
to, increase its viscosity level and density. Such memory foam can
come in a variety of densities. Higher density memory foam is
sensitive to body heat and molds itself to the shape of a warm body
in a few minutes. Lower density memory foam is pressure sensitive
and molds more quickly to the shape of a body. In either case, an
important property of the memory foam is that it molds to the shape
of a body pressed against it, such that the pressure is distributed
more evenly over the foam surface, thereby potentially allowing for
greater comfort.
[0009] Because memory foam is denser than other foams and,
therefore, heavier, its uses have been limited. For example, memory
foam, or visco-elastic memory foam, has been used in certain
medical applications, such as wheelchair seat cushions. In
addition, memory foam has been used in certain mattresses, pillows
and mattress pads. Memory foam has generally not been viewed as a
suitable material for portable products to be carried by a
user.
[0010] The present inventor has recognized that, despite its
density and weight, memory foam yields significant advantages in
the context of portable seats. In particular, by utilizing memory
foam only in a small area, such as the cushion portion of a
portable seat, the overall weight of the device can be kept within
acceptable limits. The issue of weight can further be addressed by
careful selection of the density, thickness and other dimensions of
the cushion. On the other hand, memory foam provides superior
comfort and thermal insulation yielding substantial advantages. For
example, in the case of the turkey seat, this results in improved
comfort, which, in turn, allows the hunter to remain motionless for
longer periods of time so as to better avoid detection. In
addition, the memory foam, because it molds to the contours of the
user, provides rock-solid stability when the hunter takes a
shot.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
cushion of a portable seat is formed from multiple layers including
at least one memory foam layer. As noted above, memory foam has
desirable characteristics for portable seat applications but can
also be relatively heavy. In addition, for certain users and under
certain conditions, e.g., when the portable seat is used on a hot
stadium bench or otherwise in hot conditions, the memory foam can
become quite thin or substantially "bottom out" in certain areas.
Accordingly, it has been recognized that a multiple layer
construction may be desirable so as to accommodate a variety of
users and use conditions. For example, the cushion may include a
memory foam layer and at least one additional non-memory foam
layer. In one implementation, a three-layer design is used
including a memory foam layer, an open cell foam layer and a closed
cell foam layer. The memory foam layer is disposed at a top portion
of the cushion for more direct contact with the user, the closed
cell is disposed at a bottom portion of the cushion, and the open
cell foam is disposed in between. In this manner, the memory foam
provides good user conformance and load spreading, the open cell
foam material provides good cushioning for a range of users, and
the closed cell material is durable and ensures significant
cushioning for substantially any user under substantially any
conditions.
[0012] In a preferred implementation, the memory foam turkey seat
can be incorporated into a hunting vest design. The memory foam
cushion is movable between a stowed position against the back of
the vest and a deployed position where the memory foam cushion
extends from the vest at an angle suitable for use as a seat. The
cushion panel can be connected to the vest by means of nylon straps
and the like, such that the back of the vest functions as a
backrest when the hunter is seated on the cushion. It will be
appreciated that, in this manner, any additional weight of the seat
due to the memory foam construction is of little concern as the
weight is supported by the vest, which, in effect, functions as a
backpack. Accordingly, the advantages of memory foam as noted above
are realized without a problematic penalty due to the density of
the memory foam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of the garment assembly with a
deployable seat in a stowed position in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the garment assembly of FIG. 1 during
deployment of its seat;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the garment assembly of FIG. 1 with the
seat in a deployed position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat of the garment assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the garment assembly of FIG.
1 being worn by a user with the seat in a stowed position;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the garment assembly of FIG.
5 illustrating deployment of the seat;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the garment assembly of FIG.
5 illustrating the user sitting on the seat;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the garment assembly of FIG.
1; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the seat of the garment
assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following description, the invention is set forth in
the context of a hunting vest with a deployable seat cushion. The
deployable seat cushion is formed from multiple layers of material
including a memory foam layer. While this is believed to be a
particularly advantageous implementation of the invention, it will
be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this
implementation. The hunting vest garment and seat deployment
mechanisms will first be described in the following description.
Thereafter, the memory seat cushion structure is described in
greater detail.
[0024] One embodiment of a garment assembly is illustrated in FIGS.
1-4 and is identified by reference numeral 10. A perspective view
of the assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 8, which further illustrates
the seat deployment process. The garment assembly 10 includes a
garment 14 and a deployable seat 22. The garment 14 may be of any
appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. For instance,
the garment 14 may be in the form of a jacket, vest, life jacket,
shirt, coat, parka, backpack, or sporting event seat. In the
illustrated embodiment, the garment 14 is in the form of a
vest.
[0025] The deployable seat 22 includes a top or upper surface 26, a
bottom or lower surface 30, a pair of side or side surfaces 34, a
front or front surface 38, and a rear or rear surface 42. The seat
22 may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration, and
may incorporate any appropriate supporting material or combination
of supporting materials. Moreover, any desirable properties may be
incorporated/utilized by any of the surfaces 26, 30, 34, 38, 42
(e.g., the bottom or lower surface 30 of the seat 22 may be
waterproof; the entire exterior of the seat 22 may be waterproof;
exterior surfaces may be formed from camouflage, black, bright
orange and/or other colors as desired for hunting or other
applications).
[0026] A pair of lower strap assemblies or hinging strap assemblies
48 interconnect the garment 14 and the seat 22, and may facilitate
the deployment of the seat 22 in a manner that will be discussed in
more detail below. Each lower strap assembly 48 may include a
buckle 52 (FIGS. 5-7) to facilitate detachably interconnecting the
garment 14 and seat 22. Any appropriate number of lower strap
assemblies 48 may be used, each lower strap assembly 48 may be
fixed at any appropriate location on each of the garment 14 and
seat 22 and in any appropriate manner, multiple lower strap
assemblies 48 may be disposed in any appropriate arrangement, and
each lower strap assembly 48 may use one or more straps of any
appropriate type (e.g., elastic; non-elastic). In the illustrated
embodiment, each lower strap assembly 48 is fixed to the seat 22 at
or near its rear 42. It may be possible to alleviate the lower
strap assemblies 48 altogether, although again the use of the lower
strap assemblies 48 may facilitate the deployment of the seat
22.
[0027] The garment assembly 10 further includes a pair of upper
strap sections 56 that each interconnect with the garment 14 and
that each at least interface or interact with the seat 22. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper strap sections 56 are actually
part of a single strap that extends through the interior of the
seat 22 via a side-to-side aperture 44 (FIG. 4) that is
incorporated by the seat 22 (e.g., an intermediate section of this
single strap extends through the seat 22 and joins with each of the
upper strap sections 56). The upper strap sections 56 could also be
separate structures and separately attached or fixed to the seat 22
in any appropriate manner and at any appropriate location. In any
case, an end of each upper strap section 56 is fixed or mounted to
the garment 14 in any appropriate manner. In the illustrated
embodiment, a buckle 60 is provided for each upper strap section 56
to detachably interconnect the garment 14 with the seat 22 at two
additional locations. The upper strap sections 56 and the lower
strap assemblies 48 thereby support the seat 22 in its stowed
position of FIG. 1. Although the seat 22 may be detachably
interconnected with the garment 14 so as to be totally separable
from the garment 14 as thus far described, it should be appreciated
that at least one interconnection may remain between the seat 22
and the garment 14 at all times (not shown).
[0028] Each upper strap section 56 also interfaces with the seat 22
at a pair of laterally spaced locations, or along each of the two
sides 34 of the seat 22 as noted. In the illustrated embodiment
where the upper strap sections 56 are part of a common strap, the
upper strap sections 56 are not actually fixed to the seat 22 as
noted. However and once again, it should be appreciated that the
upper strap sections 56 could indeed be separate structures, with
one portion (e.g., one end) of each such upper strap section 56
being appropriately fixed to the garment 14 and with another
portion (e.g., the opposite end) of each such upper strap section
56 being appropriately fixed to the seat 22 in any appropriate
manner.
[0029] The upper strap sections 56 of the garment assembly 10
facilitate deployment of the seat 22, and notably without having to
disconnect the seat 22 from the garment 14 of the garment assembly
10 in any manner. In this regard, the upper strap sections 56 are
each able to extend or stretch (i.e., increase in length) some time
during deployment of the seat 22. More specifically, each upper
strap section 56 extends or stretches (i.e., increases in length)
during the initial portion of the deployment of the seat 22, and
thereafter may contract (i.e., decreases in length) during a
subsequent portion of the deployment of the seat 22. Preferably,
each upper strap section 56 is formed from an appropriate elastic
or other appropriate resilient material, such that each upper strap
section 56 may extend or stretch when exposed to an appropriate
force, and thereafter uses stored internal energy or the like to
contract or retract to at least some degree upon experiencing at
least a certain reduction of this force (including via a pure
elastic deformation, where each upper strap section 56 would move
back to its undeformed state once a load is totally removed).
[0030] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate three representative positions for the
seat 22. FIG. 1 illustrates a stowed position for the seat 22,
where the bottom or lower surface 30 of the seat 22 faces the
backside of the garment 14 and where the top or upper surface 26 of
the seat 22 faces away from the backside of the garment 14. The
upper strap sections 56 may "pull" the seat 22 against the garment
14 at this time (e.g., to resiliently bias the seat 22 against the
garment 14, particularly when being worn by a user), although such
is not required (e.g., the upper strap sections 56 may be in
tension or stretched with the seat 22 in its stowed position). FIG.
2 illustrates a representative intermediate position of the seat
22, or a partially deployed position, while FIG. 3 illustrates a
representative deployed position of the seat 22 (i.e., other
deployed positions may exist). Generally, the seat 22 may be
characterized as being pivoted, flipped, or inverted to move from
the stowed position of FIG. 1 to the deployed position of FIG. 3
(e.g., the deployment of the seat 22 may be characterized as the
front 38 of the seat 22 pivoting at least generally about the rear
42 of the seat 22, as illustrated by the arrows A and B in FIGS. 2
and 3, respectively), and again this motion may be undertaken
without disconnecting the seat 22 from the garment 14 in any manner
which may be desirable for one or more applications (e.g.,
hunting).
[0031] With the seat 22 being in the stowed position of FIG. 1, the
front or front surface 38 of the seat 22 is moved at least
generally away from the garment 14 to initiate deployment of the
seat 22. Each upper strap section 56 extends or stretches to
accommodate movement of the seat 22 from the stowed position of
FIG. 1 to the intermediate position of FIG. 2. That is, the length
of each upper strap section 56 in FIG. 2 is greater than its
corresponding length in the stowed position of FIG. 1. Again, note
that the seat 22 remains interconnected with the garment 14 by the
upper strap sections 56 and the various lower strap assemblies
48.
[0032] In order to move the seat 22 from the stowed position of
FIG. 1 to the representative deployed position of FIG. 3, the front
38 of the seat 22 is also moved in a downward direction. Compare
the vertical position of the front 38 of the seat 22 in each of
FIGS. 1 and 2, again where FIG. 2 is an intermediate position of
the seat 22 during its deployment. Movement of the seat 22 from the
intermediate position of FIG. 2 to the deployed position of FIG. 3
entails directing the front 38 in a continued downward direction
and then back toward a position where the seat 22 is now disposed
underneath the garment 14 versus "behind" the garment 14 as in the
case of the stowed position of FIG. 1. The existence of the lower
strap assemblies 48, which again interconnect the seat 22 with the
garment 14, may facilitate the above-noted type of motion for
deployment of the seat 22 (e.g., a pivoting or pivotal-like motion
of the seat 22 at least generally about its rear 42).
[0033] In the FIG. 3 position, the upper strap sections 56 may be
of an intermediate length compared to the FIGS. 1 and 2
configurations. That is, the upper strap sections 56 may be in an
extended or stretched state in FIG. 3 compared to the FIG. 1
position (FIG. 1 being the stowed position), but are contracted or
retracted in FIG. 3 (deployed position) compared to the FIG. 2
position (intermediate position). That is, the upper strap sections
56 may and preferably are in tension in the deployed position of
FIG. 3, which desirably retains the top or upper surface 26 of the
seat 22 against the user. Stated another way, the upper strap
sections 56 preferably resiliently bias the seat 22 into contact
with a user of the garment assembly 10 with the seat 22 being in
the deployed position of FIG. 3.
[0034] The above-described motion of the seat 22 during its
deployment in effect inverts or flips the seat 22. Recall that in
the FIG. 1 position (the stowed position) the bottom or lower
surface 30 of the seat 22 faces the garment 14 (in a horizontal
dimension), while in the FIG. 3 position (a representative deployed
position) the bottom or lower surface 30 of the seat 22 faces away
from the garment 14 (in a vertical dimension). Moreover, the top or
upper surface 26 of the seat 22 faces away from the garment 14 of
the garment assembly 10 in the stowed position of FIG. 1 (facing in
a horizontal dimension), but faces the garment 14 in the deployed
position of FIG. 3 (facing upwardly in a vertical dimension). It
should be appreciated that the above-noted protocol may simply be
reversed to move the seat 22 from a deployed position (FIG. 3) back
to the stowed position of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate three representative positions for the
seat 22, with the garment assembly 10 being worn by a user, and
with the lower strap assemblies 48 being fixed at or near a lower
edge 18 of the garment 14 (although again the lower strap
assemblies 48 may be fixed or anchored at any appropriate location
of the garment 14 as noted above, and in fact may be alleviated
altogether). FIG. 5 is a stowed position for the seat 22, where the
bottom or lower surface 30 of the seat 22 faces the garment 14, and
where the top or upper surface 26 of the seat 22 faces away from
the garment 14 (in a rearward direction in relation to the
direction that the user is facing in FIG. 5). At this time, the
upper strap sections 56 may be in tension to "pull" the seat 22
against the back of the user, although again such is not required.
Although the lower strap assemblies 48 are not necessarily
required, they may enhance the retention of the seat 22 in the
stowed position of FIG. 5.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a single hand to initiate the
deployment of the seat 22 by moving the front 38 of the seat 22
both away from the garment 14 of the garment assembly 10 and in a
downward direction, as illustrated by the arrow C. Both of the
user's hands could of course be used. This movement of the seat 22
is accommodated by stretching or extending each of the upper strap
sections 56 (i.e., the length of the upper strap sections 56 is
increased progressing from the stowed position of FIG. 5 to the
intermediate position of FIG. 6). The movement of the seat 22 from
the FIG. 5 position to the FIG. 6 position exposes the bottom or
lower surface 30 of the seat 22 (the bottom 30 now facing "up" in
FIG. 6 versus facing the back of the user in the stowed position of
FIG. 5), and further changes the orientation of both the top or
upper surface 26 of the seat 22 and its bottom or lower surface 30.
For instance, the top 26 of the seat 22 faces down in the
intermediate position of FIG. 6 (in a vertical dimension), versus
facing rear or away from the user in the stowed configuration of
FIG. 5 (in a horizontal dimension).
[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates a deployed position where the user is
sitting on the top or upper surface 26 of the seat 22. In order to
dispose the seat 22 in the deployed position of FIG. 7 from the
intermediate position of FIG. 6, the user manipulates the seat 22
to move the front 38 of the seat 22 at least generally in the
direction depicted by the arrow D in FIG. 7, typically while still
in a standing position. In the deployed position of FIG. 7, the
upper strap sections 56 are preferably of an intermediate length
compared to the configurations of FIGS. 5 and 6. That is,
preferably the upper strap sections 56 in FIG. 7 are longer
compared to the FIG. 5 configuration (the stowed position for the
seat 22), but are shorter compared to the FIG. 6 configuration (an
intermediate position in the deployment of the seat 22). As such,
the upper strap sections 56 will retract to at least a degree at
some point in time of the movement of the seat 22 from the
intermediate position of FIG. 6 to the deployed position of FIG. 7
(possibly when the deployed position of FIG. 7 is reached). In any
case, the upper strap sections 56 are preferably in tension or
stretched to a degree in the deployed position of FIG. 7 to "pull"
the seat 22 against the butt of the user, although such may not be
required in all instances.
[0038] The garment assembly 10 with its deployable seat 22 offers a
number of advantages. One is that the user does not have to
"unlock" or "unlatch" any buckles to move the seat 22 from the
stowed position (e.g., FIG. 5) to a deployed position (e.g., FIG.
7). Unlocking or unlatching buckles generates undesired noise for
hunting applications. Stated another way, all structural
connections between the seat 22 and the garment 14 of the garment
assembly 10 may be retained or maintained while moving the seat 22
between its stowed position and a deployed position. Moreover, the
user does not have to hold onto the seat 22 when moving from
standing position to a position where the user is sitting on the
seat 22, as the upper strap sections 56 may provide a force for
retaining the seat 22 against the user at this time. Yet another
advantage is that the user may leave the seat 22 in a deployed
position when moving from one location to another location. That
is, the user may stand up from the position illustrated in FIG. 7
and need not grab the seat 22 to do so--the upper strap sections 56
should retain the top or upper surface 26 of the seat 22 against
the butt of the user during the user's transition from the sitting
position of FIG. 7 to a standing position. Moreover, the seat 22
may be retained in a deployed position (i.e., the seat 22 need not
be moved back to the stowed position of FIG. 5) if the user is
moving only a short distance--the upper strap sections 56 again
should retain the top or upper surface 26 of the seat 22 against
the butt of the user. However, if the user is going to move any
significant distance, the foregoing deployment protocol may be
reversed to dispose the seat 22 back into the stowed position of
FIG. 5 (again, without having to disconnect the seat 22 from the
garment 14 of the garment assembly 10 in any manner).
[0039] As discussed above, the deployable seat may be formed from a
multiple layer cushion, including at least one memory foam layer.
FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of a seat cushion showing a
specific implementation in this regard. The illustrated seat
cushion 100 includes an uppermost layer 102 positioned proximate to
the user, a lowermost layer 106 that will be disposed proximate to
the ground, stadium bench or the like in use, and an intermediate
layer 104. Although not shown, the cushion may be enclosed in a
covering formed from suitable material such as nylon. The cover may
have a camouflage pattern, a bright orange color or be colored and
patterned in any other style desirable for the intended us. For
example, the covering may have one side that has a camouflage or
dark coloring and another side that has a bright orange or other
attention-getting coloring so that a hunter can flip the seat,
using the mechanisms described above, to select which side is
exposed.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the uppermost layer 102 is
formed from a memory foam material so as to conform to the contours
of the user and provide the desired cushioning/load spreading
properties. However, for certain users or under certain conditions,
such a memory foam material may become thin in some areas or
substantially "bottom out." Accordingly, in the illustrated
embodiment, the cushion 100 further includes an intermediate layer
104 formed from a cushioning non-memory foam material. It will be
appreciated that this material also allows for construction of a
lightweight cushion 100, as may be desired and provides some
thermal insulation of the uppermost layer 102 (which may have
temperature dependent characteristics) from the ground, a stadium
seat or the like. For example, the intermediate layer 104 may be
formed from a relatively soft open cell foam material.
[0041] The illustrated cushion 100 further includes a lowermost
layer 106 formed from, for example, a denser and more durable (in
relation to the intermediate layer 104) cushioning material. In the
illustrated embodiment, the lowermost layer 106 is formed from a
closed cell foam. It will be appreciated that this layer 106
further ensures the significant cushioning for substantially any
user under substantially any condition.
[0042] The cushion 100 is dimensioned so as to provide adequate
seat cushioning. For example, the cushion 100 may have a width of
between about 9''-18'' and a front to back depth of between about
6''-12''. Larger sizes may be used for increased comfort or to
accommodate larger users. Smaller sizes may be used for smaller
users (e.g., children) or to reduce overall weight. The thicknesses
of the layers 102, 104 and 106 are indicated by the arrows x, y and
z respectively. These thicknesses are selected together with the
cushioning properties of the various materials (e.g., durometer
values) to provide adequate cushioning for the desired application
or expected range of users and applications. In the illustrated
embodiment, the uppermost and intermediate layers 102 and 104 each
have an uncompressed thickness (x and y) of between about 1''-2'',
for example, 1.25''. The lowermost layer 106 has a thickness z of
between about 1/4''-1'', for example, 1/2''. However, it would be
appreciated that different layers and thicknesses may be utilized
in accordance with the present invention. The noted materials and
thicknesses have been found to provide good cushioning for a range
of users across a range of conditions while providing a cushion
weight that is not unduly heavy.
[0043] Although the invention has been described with respect to a
particular vest/deployable seat combination, it will be appreciated
that memory foam may be incorporated into other types of portable
seats, including hand carried stadium-style seats. In addition,
although the memory foam seat has been disclosed in context where
it is connected to a backrest by way of straps, it will be
appreciated that memory foam may be used in connection with
portable seats having a rigid frame, for example, formed from
aluminum. Also, significant advantages associated with the memory
foam construction may be achieved even without the use of a
backrest.
[0044] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and
knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present
invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further
intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention
and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in
such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required
by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present
invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to
include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
* * * * *