Portable Cooling Pad for Seat

Abstract

A cooling pad includes a bottom section, a top section, and a middle section which together form a contoured surface to support a person's back. The contoured surface includes concave and convex sections, providing ventilated pockets which allow air to flow to a person's back. Inside the middle section there are intake holes, located on either side of the cooling pad, and exhaust holes, positioned atop and below the middle section. The intake holes allow air to be brought in from outside, while the exhaust holes direct air to cool a person's back. Fan and power systems are stored inside the middle section. The fan blows air through the exhaust holes. The system as a whole is designed to utilize negative pressure to bring fresh air in from the intakes, replacing the air the fan pushes through the exhaust holes. The resulting airflow prevents back sweat from occurring.

Description

[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/548,935 filed on Oct. 19, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cushions to be used in, for example: vehicle seats or office chairs. More specifically, the apparatus is a breathable cooling cushion that circulates air onto the user's back, while providing support for the lower back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention mainly targets vehicle operators, for example taxi and bus drivers who must sit in the same seat for extended periods of time, or office workers whose professions require a long period of sitting, although the present invention may be used by anyone. When sitting for a long duration of time, sweat precipitation usually builds up due to the insulating nature of the seat, causing discomfort for the person sitting. Also, due to design limitations of chairs, the chair usually does not offer enough lower back support for the sitter causing back strains. Increased comfort for the sitter often means increased productivity.

[0004] Current air conditioning technologies often use energy inefficiently. The present invention provides a means of cooling for a user under situations where air conditioning is not necessary. For example, the vehicle operators can use the present invention instead of car air conditioning in warm weathers; this helps reduce fuel consumption and helps prevent back skin problems due to sweat perspiration.

[0005] There are many people, especially elderly people, that have back problems. There are many orthopedic cushions available on the market to support the patient's back; however, because of the insulating nature of the cushion, under elevated temperatures, the user often experiences the same problem of back precipitation. When using current cushions for a long period of time, the users get hot and sweat on their back.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an add-on seat rest with cooling capability, usable with any seat. It is a further object of the present invention to prevent back sweat when a person remains seated for a long period of time. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a comfortable back rest for a sitting person, enhancing the sitting experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an internal front perspective view showing the cooling housing of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing the cover of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an internal front view showing the cooling housing of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 7 is side view of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 8 is an internal top view of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the direction of air flow of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 10 is an internal top view showing the direction of air flow of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] The present invention is a cooling seat pad designed to cool a person's back while sitting. The present invention is not integral to an existing seat, nor does it modify the designs of seats it is used in conjunction with. The present invention comprises a cushioned lower back section 1, a cushioned upper back section 6, a middle cooling section 11, and a permeable seat pad cover 24, as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. The middle cooling section 11 is positioned between the cushioned lower back section 1 and cushioned upper back section 6. The cushioned lower back section 1 comprises a lower flat seat surface 2 and a lower contoured support surface 3. The cushioned upper back section 6 comprises an upper flat seat surface 7 and an upper contoured support surface 8. The middle cooling section 11 comprises a middle flat seat surface 12 and a middle contoured support surface 13. The combined flat seat surface is planar and is meant to rest against a seat, and is visible in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The combined contoured support surface is opposite the combined flat seat surface and is designed to support a person's back while still allowing for ventilation. The permeable seat pad cover 24 is a flexible breathable material that encases the rest of the cooling seat pad, including the lower back section 1, upper back section 6, and cooling section 11.

[0019] Illustrated in FIG. 1, the cushioned lower back section 1 additionally comprises a base convex support 4 and a lower concave recess 5. The base convex support 4 forms a foundation for the lower back section 1 and present invention as a whole. The lower concave recess 5 is positioned atop the base convex support 4. The cushioned upper back section 6 additionally comprises a top convex support 9 and an upper concave recess 10, depicted in FIG. 1. Similar to the cushioned lower back section 1, the top convex support 9 and the upper concave recess 10 are positioned adjacent to each other, with the top convex support 9 being connected atop the upper concave recess 10. The cushioned lower back section 1 connects to the bottom part of the middle cooling section 11, with the lower concave recess 5 being joined to a lower end 14 of the middle cooling section 11. The cushioned upper back section 6 is likewise connected to the middle cooling section 11, with the upper concave recess 10 being joined to an upper end 15 of the middle cooling section 11, positioned opposite the lower concave recess 5. Overall, the combined contoured support surface provides an ergonomic design to accommodate a person's natural back curvature. The base convex support 4, the top convex support 9, and the middle cooling section 11, profiled in FIG. 7, form bumps that support a person's lower back or upper buttock, upper back, and waist, respectively. The lower concave recess 5 and the upper concave recess 10 create gaps between a person's back and the lower contoured support surface 3 and upper contoured support surface 8, respectively, allowing for effective air circulation.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the cushioned lower back section 1, the cushioned upper back section 6, and the middle cooling section 11 are made from environmentally friendly memory foam. In alternative embodiments, the three sections could be made from plastics, metals, or other materials as desired. In addition, a solid frame could potentially be included if a person finds the memory foam to be too soft for their personal taste. In addition, the specific contours of the combined contoured support surface can be adjusted to meet individual persons' needs, essentially providing a custom fit. In addition, straps could be attached to the three sections. These straps would wrap around the back of a seat, allowing a person to secure the present invention to a seat, rather than using it freestanding. If the straps are not included, a person can rest the present invention against a seat and use it as normal.

[0021] The middle cooling section 11 further comprises a cooling housing 16, a fan 21, a power source 22, and an auxiliary power connection 23, as pictured in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. The cooling housing 16 forms a cavity in the middle cooling section 11, allowing the cooling housing 16 to accommodate the fan 21 and the power source 22. The cooling housing 16 itself comprises a first side intake 17, a second side intake 18, an upper exhaust 19, and a lower exhaust 20. The first side intake 17 and second side intake 18 are located on opposite sides of the cooling housing 16, traversing through the middle cooling section 11 between the middle flat seat surface 12 and middle contoured support surface 13. This can be seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The upper exhaust 19 cuts into the cooling housing 16 from above, and is adjacent to the upper concave recess 10. The lower exhaust 20, positioned opposite the upper exhaust 19, cuts into the bottom of the cooling housing 16, adjacent to the lower concave recess 5. As seen in FIG. 7, the auxiliary power connection 23 is positioned on the side of the middle cooling section 11, adjacent to the first side intake 17 and between the middle flat seat surface 12 and middle contoured support surface 13. The power source 22 is positioned in the cooling housing 16 to the side of the fan 21, and is electrically connected to the fan 21. As a result, the fan 21 is powered by the power source 22. The positioning of the power source 22 is intended to minimize obstruction of air flow.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the cooling housing 16 is built as a plastic housing, though in other embodiments other materials can be employed. Inside the housing 16 there is preferably a single fan 21, as well as a single auxiliary power connection 23. The auxiliary connection 23 is preferably positioned on the side of the present invention closest to the center console, and thus cigarette lighter, of a car. Therefore, a driver's version would have the auxiliary power connection 23 next to the first side intake 17, while a passenger's version would have the auxiliary power connection 23 next to the second side intake 18. In the preferred embodiment, like illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the power source 22 includes a first battery 221 and a second battery 222, positioned on either side of the fan 21. The first battery 221 and second battery 222 are each a high capacity lithium polymer battery, and together act as the main power supply for the fan 21. The batteries are electrically connected to the auxiliary power input. When the auxiliary power connection 23 is connected to an external power source, such as a car's cigarette lighter, the batteries will be recharged by the auxiliary power connection 23.

[0023] Though the first battery 221 and second battery 222 are preferably placed in the cavity of the cooling housing 16 for ease of access, in alternative embodiments they could also be recessed into the middle cooling section 11. The cooling housing 16 itself is preferably integrated into the middle cooling section 11, but in an alternative embodiment the cooling housing 16 could be removable from the middle cooling section 11. Other deviations from the preferred embodiment include using multiple fans 21, additional batteries, or different type of batteries. The batteries selected should be high efficiency, rechargeable, and capable of operating the fan 21 for a minimum of 8 hours. While the auxiliary power connection 23 preferably connects to a cigarette lighter, potentially it could be designed to interface with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or standard home outlet. An adapter could be provided to allow the preferred embodiment to be charged from a variety of sources, such as 12 volt supplies in the car or home. Instead of the preferred standard fan 21, bladeless fans can be used to replace the preferred standard fan 21, enhancing air flow as well as safety. In fact, any component capable of moving air can be used in place of the standard fan 21, although cost and complexity may become issues when pursuing alternative methods of air flow.

[0024] The permeable seat pad cover 24, as mentioned earlier, is made from a breathable material. The permeable seat pad cover 24 is designed to form a sleeve around the combined cushioned lower back section 1, cushioned upper back section 6, and middle cooling section 11, as in FIG. 3. The permeable seat pad cover 24 allows air to flow into the first side intake 17 and the second side intake 18, as well as out of the upper exhaust 19 and the lower exhaust 20. In addition to permitting air flow, the permeable seat pad cover 24 acts as a limited filter, inhibiting dust accumulation inside the cooling housing 16. The permeable seat pad cover 24 needs to include an input opening for the auxiliary power connection 23; this input opening allows a person to charge the present invention by means of the auxiliary power connection 23, without having to remove the permeable seat pad cover 24 to gain access to the auxiliary power connection 23.

[0025] The material used to manufacture the permeable seat pad cover 24 can be varied, as long as the material is breathable. Linen and viscose rayon are just two examples of materials which can be used to make the permeable seat pad cover 24. In other embodiments, additional components could be added to enhance the effectiveness of the permeable seat pad cover 24. One such possible addition is the use of air filters at the first side intake 17 and second side intake 18.

[0026] The present invention provides cooling by means of the fan 21, the first side intake 17, the second side intake 18, the upper exhaust 19, and the lower exhaust 20. The present invention is designed to utilize free flowing air, rather than air channels, to achieve the cooling. When the fan 21 is activated, it blows air, pushing the air through and out of the upper exhaust 19 and the lower exhaust 20. The air exits from the upper exhaust 19 and the lower exhaust 20, into the upper concave recess 10 and lower concave recess 5, respectively. As a result, the exhausted air blows onto a person's lower and upper back, providing air flow and helping to inhibit perspiration. As the air is pushed by the fan 21 out of the cooling housing 16 and through the upper exhaust 19 and lower exhaust 20, an area of low pressure is created in the cooling housing 16. In order to equalize the pressure, air is pulled in from the first side intake 17 and the second side intake 18 into the cooling housing 16. The direction of airflow is illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

[0027] In alternative embodiments, an upper fan and lower fan could simply be placed at the upper exhaust 19 and lower exhaust 20. In this example, the upper fan and the lower fan would blow directly towards a person's back, rather than splitting the air flow of a single fan 21 between the upper exhaust 19 and lower exhaust 20. The invention would still function similarly, with air being pushed through the upper exhaust 19 and lower exhaust 20, and fresh air being pulled in through the first side intake 17 and the second side intake 18.

[0028] Another possible configuration includes placing exhaust fans at the first side intake 17 and the second side intake 18. In this instance the exhaust fans push air out of the first side intake 17 and the second side intake 18, effectively turning them into exhaust points. Again, this will create a lower pressure area in the cooling housing 16, which will cause fresh air to be pulled in from the upper exhaust 19 and lower exhaust 20, which are essentially acting as intake points. As the air is pulled in through the upper exhaust 19 and the lower exhaust 20, a person will feel a breeze due to air moving from the upper concave recess 10 and the lower concave recess 5, into each exhaust.

[0029] With the use of additional fans 21, more configurations are possible; as long as the fan setup creates air flow across a user's back, the function of the invention is served. If more fans 21 are used it may be necessary to incorporate additional intake and exhaust points. Alternatively, the fans 21 can be stacked to provide double, or even triple fans 21.

[0030] In addition to being provided as a separate accessory, the present invention could be integrated into seats and chair designs, to provide better cooling for a user. This would result in a more secure seat cushion, although it would also make repairs more difficult when compared to a removable design. Although the present invention is intended for use in cars, where drivers often remain seated for long periods of time, the present invention can be used in conjunction with any seat or chair. The present invention does not limit support for additional seat support features.

[0031] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A cooling seat pad comprises, a cushioned lower back section; a cushioned upper back section; a middle cooling section; a permeable seat pad cover; the cushioned lower back section comprises a base convex support and a lower concave recess; the cushioned upper back section comprises a top convex support and an upper concave recess; the middle cooling section comprises a lower end, an upper end, a cooling housing, at least one fan, and a power source; the cushioned lower back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section; and the cushioned upper back section being connected to the upper end of the middle cooling section.

2. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the cushioned lower back section, the cushioned upper back section, and the middle cooling section being enclosed by the permeable seat pad cover.

3. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the cushioned lower back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section opposite the base convex support.

4. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the cushioned upper back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section opposite the top convex support.

5. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the cushioned lower back support further comprises a lower flat seat surface and a lower contoured support surface; the cushioned upper back support further comprises an upper flat seat surface and an upper contoured support surface; the middle cooling section further comprises a middle flat seat surface and a middle contoured support surface; the lower concave recess being positioned on the lower contoured support surface; the upper concave recess being positioned on the upper contoured support surface; and the cooling housing being convex shaped along the middle contoured support surface, wherein the convex base support, convex cooling housing, and convex top support provide support for a person's back and the lower concave recess and upper concave recess provide ventilation for the person's back.

6. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the cooling housing being positioned between the lower end and the upper end; the cooling housing comprises a first side intake, a second side intake, an upper exhaust, and a lower exhaust; the first side intake being positioned opposite the second side intake; the first side intake and the second side intake being positioned laterally along the cooling housing; the upper exhaust traversing into the cooling housing adjacent to the upper concave recess; the lower exhaust traversing into the cooling housing adjacent to the lower concave recess; the upper exhaust and lower exhaust each being perpendicular to the first side intake and the second side intake; and the upper exhaust and the lower exhaust being parallel to each other.

7. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the at least one fan comprises a fan axis of rotation; the at least one fan being positioned in the cooling housing; the at least one fan being aligned with the upper exhaust and the lower exhaust; and the fan axis of rotation being perpendicular with the first side intake, the second side intake, the upper exhaust, and the lower exhaust.

8. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the power source comprises a first battery and a second battery; the first battery being positioned in the cooling housing between the first side intake and the at least one fan; the second battery being positioned in the cooling housing between the second side intake and the at least one fan; and the first battery and the second battery each being electrically connected to the at least one fan.

9. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the middle cooling section further comprises an auxiliary power connection; the auxiliary power connection being positioned on the cooling housing adjacent to the first side intake; and the auxiliary power connection being electrically connected to the power source.

10. A cooling seat pad comprises, a cushioned lower back section; a cushioned upper back section; a middle cooling section; a permeable seat pad cover; the cushioned lower back section comprises a base convex support, a lower concave recess, a lower flat seat surface and a lower contoured support surface; the cushioned upper back section comprises a top convex support, an upper concave recess, an upper flat seat surface and an upper contoured support surface; the middle cooling section comprises a lower end, an upper end, a cooling housing, at least one fan, a power source, a middle flat seat surface and a middle contoured support surface; the cushioned lower back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section; the cushioned upper back section being connected to the upper end of the middle cooling section; the cooling housing being positioned between the lower end and the upper end; the cooling housing comprises a first side intake, a second side intake, an upper exhaust, and a lower exhaust; the at least one fan being positioned in the cooling housing; and the at least one fan being aligned with the upper exhaust and the lower exhaust.

11. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the cushioned lower back section, the cushioned upper back section, and the middle cooling section being enclosed by the permeable seat pad cover; the cushioned lower back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section opposite the base convex support; and the cushioned upper back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section opposite the top convex support.

12. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the lower concave recess being positioned on the lower contoured support surface; the upper concave recess being positioned on the upper contoured support surface; and the cooling housing being convex shaped along the middle contoured support surface, wherein the convex base support, convex cooling housing, and convex top support provide support for a person's back and the lower concave recess and upper concave recess provide ventilation for the person's back.

13. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the first side intake being positioned opposite the second side intake; the first side intake and the second side intake being positioned laterally along the cooling housing; the upper exhaust traversing into the cooling housing adjacent to the upper concave recess; the lower exhaust traversing into the cooling housing adjacent to the lower concave recess; the upper exhaust and lower exhaust each being perpendicular to the first side intake and the second side intake; and the upper exhaust and the lower exhaust being parallel to each other.

14. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the at least one fan comprises a fan axis of rotation; and the fan axis of rotation being perpendicular with the first side intake, the second side intake, the upper exhaust, and the lower exhaust.

15. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the power source comprises a first battery and a second battery; the first battery being positioned in the cooling housing between the first side intake and the at least one fan; the second battery being positioned in the cooling housing between the second side intake and the at least one fan; and the first battery and the second battery each being electrically connected to the at least one fan.

16. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the middle cooling section further comprises an auxiliary power connection; the auxiliary power connection being positioned on the cooling housing adjacent to the first side intake; and the auxiliary power connection being electrically connected to the power source.

17. A cooling seat pad comprises, a cushioned lower back section; a cushioned upper back section; a middle cooling section; a permeable seat pad cover; the cushioned lower back section comprises a base convex support, a lower concave recess, a lower flat seat surface and a lower contoured support surface; the cushioned upper back section comprises a top convex support, an upper concave recess, an upper flat seat surface and an upper contoured support surface; the middle cooling section comprises a lower end, an upper end, a cooling housing, at least one fan, a power source, a middle flat seat surface and a middle contoured support surface; the cushioned lower back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section; the cushioned upper back section being connected to the upper end of the middle cooling section; the cooling housing being positioned between the lower end and the upper end; the cooling housing comprises a first side intake, a second side intake, an upper exhaust, and a lower exhaust; the at least one fan being positioned in the cooling housing; the at least one fan being aligned with the upper exhaust and the lower exhaust; the cushioned lower back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section opposite the base convex support; the cushioned upper back section being connected to the lower end of the middle cooling section opposite the top convex support; the at least one fan comprises a fan axis of rotation; and the fan axis of rotation being perpendicular with the first side intake, the second side intake, the upper exhaust, and the lower exhaust.

18. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 17 comprises, the cushioned lower back section, the cushioned upper back section, and the middle cooling section being enclosed by the permeable seat pad cover; the lower concave recess being positioned on the lower contoured support surface; the upper concave recess being positioned on the upper contoured support surface; and the cooling housing being convex shaped along the middle contoured support surface, wherein the convex base support, convex cooling housing, and convex top support provide support for a person's back and the lower concave recess and upper concave recess provide ventilation for the person's back.

19. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 17 comprises, the first side intake being positioned opposite the second side intake; the first side intake and the second side intake being positioned laterally along the cooling housing; the upper exhaust traversing into the cooling housing adjacent to the upper concave recess; the lower exhaust traversing into the cooling housing adjacent to the lower concave recess; the upper exhaust and lower exhaust each being perpendicular to the first side intake and the second side intake; and the upper exhaust and the lower exhaust being parallel to each other.

20. The cooling seat pad as claimed in claim 17 comprises, the power source comprises a first battery and a second battery; the first battery being positioned in the cooling housing between the first side intake and the at least one fan; the second battery being positioned in the cooling housing between the second side intake and the at least one fan; the first battery and the second battery each being electrically connected to the at least one fan; the middle cooling section further comprises an auxiliary power connection; the auxiliary power connection being positioned on the cooling housing adjacent to the first side intake; and the auxiliary power connection being electrically connected to the power source.