U.S. patent application number 12/798673 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-13 for temperature controlling seat cover.
Invention is credited to Chung B. Kim, Meinoh Kim, Meinyoung Kim.
Application Number | 20110248532 12/798673 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44760386 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110248532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Chung B. ; et
al. |
October 13, 2011 |
Temperature controlling seat cover
Abstract
A temperature controlling seat cover with a first flexible mesh
fabric layer, an open cell flexible foam layer, a second flexible
mesh fabric layer and a flexible binding strip. The open cell foam
layer resides between the first mesh layer and the second mesh
layer. The binding strip is sewn along the perimeter of the fabric
layers. The resulting fabric and foam assembly forms a leg, buttock
and back supporting mat whose perimeter is contoured to fit onto a
standard baby seat. The mesh and foam construction allows for the
passage of surrounding air to travel through the seat cover and to
reach the back and leg portions of a person sitting in a seat that
is covered by the seat cover. The seat cover is easily attachable
or removable from a standard seat. A preferred embodiment includes
a pocket containing a cooling or warming device.
Inventors: |
Kim; Chung B.; (Fairfield,
CA) ; Kim; Meinoh; (Fairfield, CA) ; Kim;
Meinyoung; (Fairfield, CA) |
Family ID: |
44760386 |
Appl. No.: |
12/798673 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/180.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 1/00 20130101; B60N
2/56 20130101; B60N 2/60 20130101; B60N 2/2881 20130101; A47C 7/748
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/180.11 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/74 20060101
A47C007/74 |
Claims
1. temperature controlling seat cover comprising: a first flexible
mesh fabric layer, an open cell flexible foam layer, a second
flexible mesh fabric layer; a flexible binding strip; said open
cell foam layer residing between said first mesh layer and said
second mesh layer; said binding strip sewn along the perimeter of
said fabric layers; and said resulting fabric and foam assembly
forming a leg, buttock and back supporting mat whose perimeter is
contoured to fit onto standard baby seat devices; said mesh and
foam construction allowing the passage of surrounding air to travel
through said seat cover and to reach the back and leg portions of a
person sitting in a seat that is covered by said seat cover; said
seat cover being easily attachable or removable from a standard
seat.
2. A temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 1
further comprising a pocket sewn into the surface of said second
flexible mesh fabric layer; said pocket capable of removably
retaining a standard cooling or warming device; said standard
warming or cooling device encased within flexible moisture
absorbing material.
3. A temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 1
further comprising an attachable head rest portion fabricated in a
similar way to said seat cover; said head rest portion
approximately rectangular in shape; said rectangular shape
including a strip of standard hook type fastener fixedly attached
to the short side of said rectangle and a hook type fastener strip
fixedly attached to the long side of said rectangle; said hook type
fasteners capable of removably attaching to a loop type fastener
that is centrally located on the uppermost portion of said seat
cover; said rectangular head rest being fastened either on the
short side or the long side to said seat cover depending on the
width of the head rest portion of said baby seat device.
4. A temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 1
wherein said perimeter contour includes U shaped slots that
accommodate child restraining straps found on standard baby and
infant car seat devices.
5. A temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 1
further comprising a flexible strap that is fixedly attached to the
top portion of said seat cover, said strap having a hook type
fastener fixedly attached to its distal end; said hook type
fastener capable of being removably attached to an adhesively
backed loop type fastening strip that is fixedly attached to the
rear wall of a standard baby seat.
6. A temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 1
wherein a batting layer is substituted for said open cell foam
layer.
7. A temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 3
wherein said rectangular head rest can be other shapes including
elliptical and a rectangle having inwardly contoured sides as long
as the said head rest shape includes a pair of longer sides and a
pair of shorter sides.
8. a Temperature controlling seat cover as claimed in claim 1
wherein said seat cover can be manufactured in a variety of sizes
to fit baby seats that fit in standard vehicles, baby strollers,
baby carriers, jogging strollers, infant seats, or seats meant to
be used by adults.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates generally to the field of seat covers
and more specifically to a temperature controlling seat cover.
[0005] Seat covers are a well known means to protect vehicle seats
or baby car seat devices that removably attach to a standard
vehicle seat. Existing seat covers are primarily sold to protect
the original seat covering material or to provide a newer look to
an old, and potentially soiled existing vehicle seat.
[0006] Some inventors, such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,883,701 and 4,891,454, have designed disposable baby seat liners
that are meant to be disposable to help preserve the unsoiled
condition of the original baby seat.
[0007] The inventor of U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,057 discloses a baby car
seat that allows air flow to the back of the seats occupant,
however, the cover is a permanent part of the seat and can not be
removed for cleaning. U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,309 discloses a seat
cover that has pockets that can retain standard cooling or warming
devices, however, the inventor does not take into account that
standard cooling devices tend to create moisture on their surfaces
when they are in use in a warm environment.
[0008] Therefore there is a deficiency in the prior technology in
that the prior art does not disclose a replaceable and removable
car seat cover that allows air to easily flow to the back, head and
legs of the seats occupant. Additionally, the prior art does not
disclose a seat cover that can be easily adjusted to accommodate
seats with wider or narrower head rest areas. Finally, although the
prior art does allows for a seat cover to accept a standard cooling
or warming device, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,309, it does not take
into consideration the moisture created on the surface of a cooling
device when placed in a warm environment such as a warm car
seat.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary object of the invention is to provide a seat
cover that enhances the user's comfort by helping to provide a
cooling effect or heating effect.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a seat cover
that is designed to fit on a variety of sizes and shapes of
seats.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
there is disclosed a temperature controlling seat cover comprising:
a first flexible mesh fabric layer, a polyester open celled foam or
batting layer, a second flexible mesh fabric layer, a flexible
binding strip, said batting layer residing between said first mesh
layer and said second mesh layer, said binding strip sewn along the
perimeter of said fabric layers, and said resulting fabric and foam
assembly forming a leg, buttock and back supporting mat whose
perimeter is contoured to fit onto standard baby seat devices and
other seat devices, said mesh and open cell foam of batting
construction allowing the passage of surrounding air to travel
through said seat cover and to reach the back and leg portions of a
person sitting in a seat that is covered by said seat cover, said
seat cover being easily attachable or removable from a standard
seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in place on a
baby car seat.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side section view of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial front plan view of the head rest portion
of the invention in the horizontal position.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a partial front plan view of the head rest portion
of the invention in the vertical position.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front plan view of an alternate embodiment of
the invention for smaller infant seats.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of the alternate embodiment of
the invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a partial section view of showing the construction
of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the head rest portion
of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a partial front plan view of an alternate head
rest portion of the invention
[0025] FIG. 12 is a partial front plan view of a second alternate
headrest portion of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the
invention 100, 150 as it is placed on the seat and back rest
surface of a standard baby seat 2 that are commonly used to help
support babies while sitting in a vehicle. The car seat 2 includes
straps 4 that are used to hold the baby in place in case of an
accident. The leg and back portion of the invention 100 includes a
sewn crease line 14 that helps the leg portion 10 remain in the
bent position with respect to the back portion 16. The perimeter of
the main portion 100 and head rest portion 150 are shaped to fit
into a standard baby seat 2 and to accommodate the straps 4 that
are associated with such seats 2.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a side section view of the invention 100, 150
that bisects the entire invention 100, 150. The invention 100, 150
is formed of layers that include a top surface layer 10, 16, 32. An
open cell foam, or open cell batting layer 26, 28, 30 and a lower
surface layer 12, 18, 34. The open cell foam 26, 28, 30 is made of
low density polyfoam, however a polyester batting material can be
substituted in place of foam. In the preferred embodiment, the
lower surface of layer 18 has a pocket 20 sewn to it that can
removably retain a standard cooling or heating device 24. The
device 24 is designed to be stored in the freezer area of a
standard refrigerator to create a cooling effect when installed in
pocket 20. Or, device 24 can be heated in a standard microwave oven
and then placed in pocket 20 to create a heating effect. My
experiments have shown that the difference in temperature between
the ambient temperature and the cooled temperature of the device 24
creates moisture in the form of condensation on the surface of the
device 24. Therefore, I have found it important to enclose the
device 24 within a layer of moisture absorbent material 22. A hook
type fastener 36 is sewn onto the top surface 16 of portion 100. A
loop type fastener 38 is sewn onto the underside of head rest
portion 150 so that head rest 150 can be removably attached to main
portion 100. The head rest portion 150 is constructed in a similar
way as the main body portion 100. The upper 10, 16, 32 and lower
12, 18, 34 layers are made of a mesh material that allow air to
easily pass through the entire assembly 100, 150 thereby allowing
cool ambient air to provide a cooling effect for the baby that is
sitting in the baby seat 2. In the preferred embodiment the upper
and lower layers are made of a mesh that is in itself a composite
of layers as shown in FIG. 9. The mesh 32 is comprised of an upper
layer 202, a middle layer 204 and a bottom layer 206 forming a
single combined layer 20, 16. The top layer 202 is made of a
polyester mesh that has regularly spaced apertures of approximately
fifty thousands of an inch forming at least a fifty percent total
air passage through the material 16, 20. The middle layer 204 is
comprised of a plurality of closely spaced vertically oriented
filaments which form a resilient panel and also let air flow freely
between the upper layer 202 and lower layer 206. Lower later 206 is
also an open weave material that includes apertures that allow free
flow of air. This type of material combination 202, 204, 206 is
manufactured by Anhui Triumph Co. Ltd located in Anhui, China. The
overall effect of the upper mesh layer 32, the lower mesh layer 34
and the open cell foam or batting 26 creates a resilient yet fully
ventilated mat portions 100, 150 that allows air to pass freely to
the head, back and legs of the child sitting in the baby seat.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the front portion of assembly
100. Binding 8 is sewn around the perimeter of the assembly 100
thereby helping to keep the entire assembly together. Sewn bend
line 14 also helps keep the layers together. Dotted lines 17, 19
show an alternative perimeter contour that helps the assembly 100
accommodate straps found on some baby seats. Inwardly facing
contours 37, 39 as well as Inverted U shaped contour 11 also are
designed to accommodate safety straps that are found on most baby
car seats. Hook type fastener 36 can be clearly seen and helps
retain head rest 150 as described above.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the rear portion of assembly
100. Pocket 20 can be clearly seen. A standard cooling or heating
device can be slid into the opening 21 of pocket 20.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a partial front plan view of back portion 100
and head rest portion 150 with the head rest 150 in a horizontal
orientation and being held to the back portion 100 by loop fasting
portion 39. This orientation is ideal for larger baby seats such as
those found in strollers or juvenile car seats.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a partial front plan view of back portion 100
and head rest portion 150 with the head rest portion 150 being held
in the vertical position by loop fastening portion 38. This
configuration works best for smaller baby car seats and for seats
that have raised side bumpers that protect the sides of a baby's
head.
[0033] FIG. 11 shows an alternate plan view of a headrest 250 that
is elliptical in shape and held in place on main portion 100 by
loop fastening portion 238. It should be noted that the headrest
can be made in a variety of shapes as long as resulting shape has a
pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides. For example, FIG.
12 shows a second alternate embodiment of the headrest 350,
oriented in a vertical position, which is held in place to the main
body 100 by loop fastener portion 338. In this case, the headrest
350 includes inwardly contoured sides, however, it still includes a
pair of long sides and a pair of short sides.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a front plan view of an alternate embodiment of
the invention 300. This embodiment is constructed in the same
layered fashion as the preferred embodiment 100, 150. It includes a
sewn bend line 302 which delineates the leg portion 306 from the
back and head portion 304. The embodiment 300 is shorter than the
preferred embodiment 100, 150. The short embodiment is
approximately twenty one inches tall 308 and is meant for infants
up to one year old. The preferred embodiment 100, 150 is
approximately twenty eight inches tall when the head rest 150 is in
the vertical position.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of of the alternate embodiment
300 which shows the pocket 310 that can accept a heating or cooling
device. The overall contours of the embodiment 300 are designed to
accommodate the location of restraining straps commonly found in
infant car seats.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows a rear view of head rest portion 150. A strap
160 is fixedly attached on one end 164 and has a loop type
fastening device 162 sewn on to the opposite end as shown in the
dotted line version 160A of the strap 160. The strap 160 can be
bent over the top and rear of a standard baby seat and loop
fastening portion 162 can be attached to a mating hook fastening
portion, not shown, that is attached by standard adhesive means to
the rear portion of a standard baby seat.
[0037] It should be noted that the invention 100, 150 and its
alternate embodiment 300 can be used in other baby seat devices
such as strollers, jogging strollers, stand alone baby seats, baby
carriers and height chairs. Additionally, the layered design
described in the invention 100, 150 can also be used in seat covers
that are intended for adult use.
[0038] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *