U.S. patent application number 16/175760 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-28 for configurable seating assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is American National Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph Charles BONNER, Chad Shane MILLER.
Application Number | 20190059598 16/175760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52690318 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190059598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MILLER; Chad Shane ; et
al. |
February 28, 2019 |
CONFIGURABLE SEATING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A configurable seating assembly includes a plurality of
rectangular pad assemblies disposed within a durable cover
assembly. The cover includes a generally triangular or tapered
upper chamber forming a back support portion above a generally
rectangular lower chamber forming a body support portion. A wedge
assembly, manufactured from a foam material, is removably
positioned in the upper chamber, and the pads, manufactured from a
foam material, are positioned in the compartments of a separator
assembly within the lower chamber thereby providing a seating
apparatus. A front panel at the forward end of the lower chamber
provides an opening into the cover assembly allowing insertion and
removal of the wedge and pads. The pads may be removed from the
cover and arranged on the floor providing pads for sleeping. The
front panel is releasably secured to the cover by cooperating
removable connectors.
Inventors: |
MILLER; Chad Shane; (Corona,
CA) ; BONNER; Joseph Charles; (Irvine, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American National Manufacturing, Inc. |
Corona |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52690318 |
Appl. No.: |
16/175760 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15728364 |
Oct 9, 2017 |
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16175760 |
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14492991 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
9814319 |
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15728364 |
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61880680 |
Sep 20, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/062 20130101;
A47C 1/146 20130101; A47C 13/00 20130101; A47C 4/52 20130101; A47C
31/007 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 13/00 20060101
A47C013/00; A47C 4/52 20060101 A47C004/52; A47C 1/14 20060101
A47C001/14; A47C 31/00 20060101 A47C031/00; A47G 9/06 20060101
A47G009/06 |
Claims
1. A convertible seating assembly, comprising: a pad assembly; and
a cover assembly, comprising: a first top panel; a bottom panel
opposite the first top panel; a back panel joining the first top
and bottom panels; a left panel joining the first top, bottom, and
back panels; a right panel opposite the left panel joining the
first top, bottom, and back panels; a first front panel extending
from the first top panel; and wherein the panels form a lower
chamber for receiving the first pad assembly.
2. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one interior bottom panel extending between the left panel
and the right panel; wherein the lower chamber comprises at least
two open compartments separated by the at least one interior bottom
panel; and a pad assembly received within each of open
compartments.
3. The convertible seating assembly of claim 2, further comprising:
a back support portion at the first top panel forming an upper
chamber; and a wedge assembly received within the upper chamber for
supporting the back of a user.
4. The convertible seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the wedge
assembly comprises: a wedge body, comprising: a bottom face
extending laterally between a left face and a right face, and
rearward toward a rear face; the rear face extending upward
generally perpendicular from the bottom face between the left and
right faces, terminating at a top face; the top face extending
forward from the rear face generally parallel to the bottom face
between the left and right faces, terminating at a front face; the
front face extending upward from the bottom face at an acute angle
to the bottom face, between the left face and the right face,
upward to the top face; and wherein, when viewed from the left
face, the body tapers from a relatively wide lower portion to a
relatively narrow upper portion.
5. The convertible seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the upper
chamber comprises: a second top panel opposite the first top panel;
a second front panel opposite the back panel; a left panel joining
the second top panel, first top panel, second front panel, and back
panel; a right panel joining the second top panel, first top panel,
second front panel, and back panel; wherein the second front panel
extends upward and rearwardly from the first top panel to the
second top panel.
6. The convertible seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the
interior bottom panel extends from a left edge connected to the
left panel at a first seam, and a right edge connected to the right
panel at a second seam.
7. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
front panel extends forward from the top panel to a bottom edge,
and laterally between a left edge and a right edge.
8. The convertible seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising
a cooperating removable connector disposed along the first front
panel left, bottom, and right edge for securing the first front
panel to the left panel, bottom panel, and right panel,
respectively.
9. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, wherein: the left
panel, bottom panel, and right panel are formed from a first
monolithic piece of material; and the back panel, first top panel,
and first front panel comprise a second monolithic piece of
material.
10. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the pad
assembly comprises: a mat; and a cover assembly enveloping the mat,
the cover assembly comprising: an upper cover; and a lower cover
secured to the upper cover.
11. The convertible seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the upper
cover is manufactured from a barrier material having antimicrobial
properties.
12. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
top panel, the left panel, the right panel, and the bottom panel
are formed from a monolithic piece of material.
13. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
front panel, the first top panel, the back panel, and the bottom
panel are formed from a monolithic piece of material.
14. The convertible seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
front panel, the first top panel, the left panel, the right panel,
the back panel, and the bottom panel are formed from a monolithic
piece of material.
15. A convertible seating assembly, comprising: a first pad
assembly and a second pad assembly; a cover assembly, comprising: a
first top panel; a bottom panel opposite the first top panel; a
back panel joining the first top and bottom panels; a left panel
joining the first top, bottom, and back panels; a right panel
opposite the left panel joining the first top, bottom, and back
panels; wherein the panels form a lower chamber for receiving the
first pad assembly; and a first front panel extending forward from
the first top panel to a bottom edge, and laterally between a left
edge and a right edge; at least one interior bottom panel extending
between the left panel and the right panel separating the lower
chamber into at least a first and a second compartment for
receiving the first and second pad assembly, respectively; a back
support portion at the top panel forming an upper chamber; a wedge
assembly received within the upper chamber, the wedge assembly
comprising: a bottom face extending laterally between a left face
and a right face, and rearward toward a rear face; the rear face
extending upward generally perpendicular from the bottom face
between the left and right faces, terminating at a top face; the
top face extending forward from the rear face generally parallel to
the bottom face between the left and right faces, terminating at a
front face; the front face extending upward from the bottom face at
an acute angle to the bottom face, between the left face and the
right face, upward to the top face; and wherein, when viewed from
the left face, the body tapers from a relatively wide lower portion
to a relatively narrow upper portion.
16. The convertible seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the pad
assembly comprises: a mat; and a cover assembly enveloping the mat,
the cover assembly comprising: an upper cover, comprising: a top
wall; a front wall depending from the top wall; a back wall
opposite the front wall depending from the top wall; a left wall
depending from the top wall and connected to the front and back
wall; and a right wall opposite the left wall connected to the
front and back wall depending from the top wall; a lower cover,
comprising: a bottom wall; a front wall extending upward from the
bottom wall; a back wall opposite the front wall extending upward
from the bottom wall; a left wall extending upward from the bottom
wall and connected to the front and back wall; and a right wall
opposite the left wall connected to the front and back wall
extending upward from the bottom wall.
17. The convertible seating assembly of claim 16, further
comprising a pocket at the upper cover of each of the first pad
assembly and the second pad assembly.
18. The convertible seating assembly of claim 15, further
comprising a pocket at the top surface of each of the bottom panel
and the interior bottom panel.
19. A convertible seating assembly, comprising: a first pad
assembly and a second pad assembly; a cover assembly, comprising: a
first top panel; a bottom panel opposite the first top panel; a
back panel joining the first top and bottom panels; a left panel
joining the first top, bottom, and back panels; a right panel
opposite the left panel joining the first top, bottom, and back
panels; wherein the panels form a lower chamber for receiving the
first pad assembly; and a first front panel extending forward from
the first top panel to a bottom edge, and laterally between a left
edge and a right edge; at least one interior bottom panel extending
between the left panel and the right panel separating the lower
chamber into at least a first and a second compartment for
receiving the first and second pad assembly, respectively; a back
support portion at the top panel forming an upper chamber; a wedge
assembly received within the upper chamber, the wedge assembly
comprising: a bottom face extending laterally between a left face
and a right face, and rearward toward a rear face; the rear face
extending upward generally perpendicular from the bottom face
between the left and right faces, terminating at a top face; the
top face extending forward from the rear face generally parallel to
the bottom face between the left and right faces, terminating at a
front face; the front face extending upward from the bottom face at
an acute angle to the bottom face, between the left face and the
right face, upward to the top face; wherein, when viewed from the
left face, the body tapers from a relatively wide lower portion to
a relatively narrow upper portion; an opening in the first top
panel beneath the upper chamber for accessing the upper
chamber.
20. The convertible seating assembly of claim 19, further
comprising: a cooperating removable connector disposed along the
first front panel left, bottom, and right edge for securing the
first front panel to the left panel, bottom panel, and right panel,
respectively; and a cooperating removable connector for closing the
opening in the first top panel beneath the upper chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/492,991, filed Sep. 22, 2014, entitled
CONFIGURABLE SEATING ASSEMBLY, which claims priority from
Provisional Application No. 61/880,680, filed Sep. 20, 2013,
entitled CONFIGURABLE SEATING ASSEMBLY, which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosed subject matter relates generally to
body support apparatus, and more particularly to a configurable
seating assembly.
[0003] Child care and school environments use a variety of body
support apparatuses designed to accommodate the activity level of
the child at any given time, namely sitting and resting. Sitting
requires stools or chairs that only serve to support the child when
sitting. Resting requires mats that only serve to support the child
when laying down, resting, or sleeping. In addition to serving
limited functions, chairs, stools, and cots are bulky and do not
stack very well. Storing the chairs, stools, and mats presents a
safety hazard because children are prone to climb the items when
they are stacked, and as a result, the items are prone to toppling
upon them. Moreover, stored, single use support apparatuses take up
space in the child care environment thereby reducing space for
other activities and items.
SUMMARY
[0004] A convertible seating assembly includes a cover assembly
with a lower body support chamber having two or more removable pad
assemblies therein. The cover assembly includes a front panel that
opens allowing a user to insert and remove the pad assemblies from
compartments therein. The compartments are separated by fabric
panels for separating the pad assemblies when they are in the cover
assembly.
[0005] Each pad assembly includes a mat surrounded by a cover. The
cover may be one piece, or comprise an upper cover half and a lower
cover half. The upper cover is a barrier material, and the lower
cover is a barrier material having antimicrobial properties.
[0006] The two or more pad assemblies can be removed from the
seating assembly when it is not being used as such, and the pad
assemblies can be arranged together on the floor, or separated and
used individually, allowing a user to rest thereon. The pad
assemblies may be stored within the cover assembly when they are
not used on the floor for resting.
[0007] An alternative embodiment seating assembly includes a back
support portion along the top edge. The back support portion
includes an upper chamber having an opening into the body support
chamber. A resilient tapered or wedge assembly is inserted into the
upper chamber and the opening is secured with a cooperating
removable connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and
illustrate various objects and features thereof.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a configurable seating
assembly embodying principles of the disclosed subject matter.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the configurable seating
assembly.
[0011] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a reconfigurable mat
assembly.
[0012] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a pad assembly.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the rear of the
configurable seating assembly.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of a pad
assembly.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of the pad
assembly.
[0016] FIG. 7a is an exploded view of the pad assembly.
[0017] FIG. 7b is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment pad
assembly.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view of the front of the
separator assembly.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
seating assembly embodying principles of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of a wedge
assembly.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from below of the wedge
assembly.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view from below of the alternative
embodiment seating assembly.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective sectional view from below of the
access to the upper chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] As required, detailed aspects of the disclosed subject
matter are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that
the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosed subject
matter, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how
to variously employ the disclosed technology in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure
[0025] Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience in reference only and will not be
limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right, and left refer
to the disclosed subject matter as orientated in the view being
referred to. The words, inwardly and outwardly refer to directions
toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the
aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and
rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel,
if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words
specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar
meaning.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an embodiment of a configurable
seating assembly 102 is shown. The assembly 102 may be used as a
playing surface, or as a support surface, such as a bench, seat, or
table. The configurable seating assembly 102 generally includes a
cover assembly 104 and two or more pad assemblies 302. When the
configurable seating assembly 102 is assembled as a seating
apparatus 186 (FIG. 2) a person, such as a child, may sit on the
assembly 102 supported from below by the pad assemblies 302 within
the cover assembly 104. When the pad assemblies 302 are removed
from the cover assembly 104, the pad assemblies can be separated
and spaced apart on a floor providing individual pads (FIG. 3b) for
users to rest or sit on. Alternatively, two or more pad assemblies
302 can be arranged in an edge to edge abutting arrangement to form
a reconfigurable mat assembly 304 (FIG. 3a) allowing a person to
rest or sit on the mat assembly 304. The configurability of the
assembly 102 allows it to serve at least two functions, one as a
seating device, and two as a resting device, thereby allowing a
user to avoid a need for a separate seating and resting device and
minimizing the use of space within an environment.
[0027] The cover assembly 104 is manufactured from a durable
flexible material, including vinyl, and vinyl laminate, and forms a
lower chamber for receiving the pad assemblies 302 thereby defining
a body support portion 108. Alternatively, the cover assembly 104
is manufactured from Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
(CPSIA) compliant materials. The cover assembly 104 includes a
generally rectangular bottom panel 126 extending laterally between
a bottom edge 154 of a left panel 152 and a bottom edge 170 of a
right panel 168, and rearward from a front edge 128 toward a back
panel 150 at a rear edge 130. The back panel 150 is generally
rectangular and extends laterally between a back edge 156 of the
left panel 152 and a back edge 172 of the right panel 168, and
upward from the rear edge 130 toward a rear edge 118 of a first top
panel 114. The first top panel 114 is generally rectangular and is
disposed higher, and generally parallel to, the bottom panel 126
forming a seating surface. The first top panel 114 extends
laterally between a first top edge 158 of the left panel 152 and a
first top edge 174 of the right panel 168, and rearwardly from a
front edge 116 to a rear edge 118, whereby the rear edge 118
terminates at the back panel 150. A first front panel 136 is
generally rectangular and extends laterally between a left edge 140
adjacent a first front edge 162 of the left panel and a right edge
142 adjacent a first front edge 178 of the right panel 168, and
downwardly from the first top panel 114 front edge 116. The bottom
edge 138 disposed adjacent the bottom panel 126 front edge 128. The
first front panel 136 is movably connected to the first top panel
114 at the front edge 116, and the bottom edge 138, left edge 140,
and right edge 142 are connected to the bottom panel 126, left
panel 152, and right panel 168, respectively, by a cooperating
removable connector thereby providing an opening 112 for inserting
the pad assemblies 302 into the lower chamber 110.
[0028] The individual panels above are assembled to form the cover
assembly 104. In another embodiment, the left panel 152, bottom
panel 126, and right panel 168 comprise a first monolithic piece of
material, and the back panel 150, top panel 114, and first front
panel 136 comprise a second monolithic piece of material, wherein
the first and second monolithic pieces are jointed to form the
cover assembly 104.
[0029] In an embodiment, the cooperating removable connector
comprises a hookless fastener such as a zipper, whereby the first
side chain 408 is disposed along the left edge 140, bottom edge
138, and right edge 142, and a cooperating second side chain 410 is
disposed along the first front edge 162, front edge 128, and first
front edge 178. Movement of a slider 412 with a pull tab 414 in a
first direction along the first and second side chains 408, 410
engages the side chains 408, 410 securing the first front panel 136
to the cover assembly 104, and movement of the slider 412 in a
second direction releases the edges 138, 140, 142 from the cover
assembly 104.
[0030] In an embodiment, the zipper includes two sliders 412, a
first slider 412a that engages the side chains 408, 410 as it moves
from the intersection of the front edge 116, first front edge 162,
and left edge 140 toward the middle of the bottom edge 138, and a
second slider 412b that engages the side chains 408, 410 as it
moves from the intersection of the front edge 116, first front edge
178, and right edge 142 toward the middle of the bottom edge
138.
[0031] The cover assembly 104 provides a series of interior panels
defining a series of compartments for supporting the pad assemblies
302. In an embodiment the compartments are accessed from the front
of the cover assembly 105. A first compartment 202 is formed by the
first top panel 114 and an opposite first interior bottom panel
204. A second compartment 212, disposed below the first compartment
202, is formed by the first interior bottom panel 204 and an
opposite second interior bottom panel 214. A third compartment 222,
disposed below the second compartment 212, is formed by the second
interior bottom panel 214 and an opposite third interior bottom
panel 224. A fourth compartment 232, disposed below the third
compartment 222, is formed by the third interior bottom panel 224
and an opposite fourth interior bottom panel 234. A fifth
compartment 242, disposed below the fourth compartment 232, is
formed by the fourth interior bottom panel 234 and an opposite
fifth interior bottom panel 244. A sixth compartment 252, disposed
below the fifth compartment 242, is formed by the fifth interior
bottom panel 244 and the opposite bottom panel 126. The a back
panel 150 forms the rear portion of each compartment. In an
embodiment, the first front panel 136, the first top panel 114,
back panel 150, and bottom panel 126 are manufactured from a single
piece of material cut along an outer edge, with the intervening
compartments formed therebetween. Pad assemblies 302 are received
within the compartments thereby separating the pad assemblies 302
so they are not touching, and aligning the pad assemblies 302 so
they remain together, one on top of the other, within the cover
assembly 104. A pocket 256 with a transparent window is attached to
the top surface of each panel 204, 214, 224, 234, 244, and 126
allowing for the retention of identifying information, such a name
or number associated with the particular pad assembly 302 stored
within the associated compartment.
[0032] The panels 204, 214, 224, 234, 244 are manufactured from a
durable flexible material, including fabric, vinyl, and vinyl
laminates. In an embodiment, the aforementioned panels include an
additional layer of material on their upper surface. The contact
points between the left and right edges of the panels, and left and
right panels 152, 168 form seams 254 that are secured together by
suitable means, including bonding, sewing, or radio frequency or
sonic sealing.
[0033] Pad assemblies 302 are received within the compartments
thereby separating the pad assemblies 302 so they are not touching,
and aligning the pad assemblies 302 so they remain together, one on
top of the other, within the cover assembly 104.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5-7b, pad assemblies 302a, 302b, 302c,
302d, 302e, and 302f are shown. Each pad assembly 302 includes a
mat 304 within a pad cover assembly 352. The mat 304 is generally
rectangular panel having a rectangular cross-section manufactured
from a resilient material including foam, densified polyester
fiber, or non-fire retardant foam. The pad cover assembly 352 may
be manufactured from a single piece of material that envelopes the
mat 304, or may include two or more pieces of material secured
together to envelope the mat 304. In an embodiment, the pad cover
assembly 352 includes an upper cover 354 secured to a lower cover
366.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 7a, an embodiment of the pad assembly 302
is shown and described where the upper cover 354 includes a top
wall 356, with a front wall 358, an opposite back wall, left wall,
and right wall 364 depending therefrom. The lower cover 366
includes a bottom wall 368, with a front wall 370, back wall 372,
left wall 374, and right wall 376 extending upward therefrom. The
aforementioned features of each the upper cover 354 and lower cover
366 can be manufactured as separate components secured together at
seams, or can be formed as a single component from a seamless piece
of material. The front walls 358 and 370 are secured together at a
first seam 378, the upper cover 354 back wall and back wall 372 are
secured together at a second seam, the upper cover 354 left wall
and left wall 374 are secured together at a third seam, and the
right walls 364 and 376 are secured together at a fourth seam 384.
The upper cover 354 is manufactured from a barrier material,
including an antimicrobial material, including HERCULITE brand
material manufactured by Herculite Products, Inc. of Emigsville,
Pa., USA, a vinyl CPSIA complaint barrier material, including
Aquatex brand material by Pil Membranes, Ltd., United Kingdom, and
a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free material, including Baby Soft brand
material by Chemtick Coated Fabrics, Inc. of Jericho, N.Y., USA.
The lower cover 366 is manufactured from a barrier material, such
as SAFE GUARD BARRIER SYSTEMS material manufactured by Vintex, Inc.
of Ontario, Canada.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 7b, an alternative embodiment of the pad
assembly 302 is shown and described where the upper cover 354
includes a top wall 356, with a front wall 358, an opposite back
wall, left wall, and right wall 364 depending therefrom. The lower
cover 366 comprises solely a bottom wall 368. The front walls 358
is secured to the front edge of the bottom wall 368 at a first
seam, the back wall is secured to the back edge of the bottom wall
368 at a second seam, the left wall is secured to the left edge of
the bottom wall 368 at a third seam, and the right wall 364 is
secured to the right edge of the bottom wall 368 at a fourth
seam.
[0037] A pocket 400 with a transparent window is attached to the
top surface of each pad assembly 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, and
302f allowing for the retention of identifying information, such a
name or number associated with the particular compartment the pad
assembly is stored in. For example, pad assembly 302a may be stored
in the first compartment 202. The first compartment 202 is bound at
the top by the first top panel 114, and at the bottom by the first
bottom panel 204. The first bottom panel 204 includes a pocket 256.
A user may be assigned pad assembly 302a. Identifying information
associated with the user may be placed in pocket 400, and the same
identifying information may be placed in pocket 256. Thus the user
knows to retrieve pad assembly 302a, and to return pad assembly
302a to compartment 202 for storage.
[0038] When the configurable seating assembly 102 is used as a
seating apparatus 186, the face 132 of the bottom panel 126 is in
contact with the ground or floor, and the pad assemblies 302 are
secured within the compartments of the cover assembly 104 providing
structure and support for the seating assembly 102. The
compartments aid in retaining the position of the pad assemblies
302 when a user is sitting on top of the seating assembly 102. When
the assembly 102 is used as a mat assembly 304, the first front
panel 136 is unsecured from the cover assembly 104 and one or more
of the pad assemblies 302a, b, c, d, e, and f are removed from the
cover assembly 104 and arranged spaced from one another for
individual use, such as shown in FIG. 3b, or arranged adjacent to
each other, such as shown in FIG. 3a, allowing a person or child to
sit or rest thereon. The assembly 102 is returned to a seating
apparatus 186 by returning the pad assemblies 302 to the
compartments within the chamber 110 and securing the first front
panel 136 to the cover assembly 104.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 9-13 an alternative embodiment
configurable seating assembly 502 is shown. The alternative
embodiment configurable seating assembly 502 generally includes the
components of the configurable seating assembly 102 with the
addition of an upper chamber for receiving a wedge assembly 326
thereby defining a back support portion 504. The back support
portion 504 comprises a second top panel 520 that is generally
rectangular and disposed generally parallel to the bottom panel
126, and extends laterally between a second top edge 560 of the
left panel 152 and a second top edge 576 of the right panel 168,
and forward from a rear edge 524 located at the back panel 150
toward a front edge 522. A second front panel 534 is generally
rectangular and extends laterally between a second front edge 164
of the left panel 152 and a second front edge 180 of the right
panel 168, and upwardly and rearwardly from the first top panel 114
to the second top panel 520 front edge 522 forming a back rest
surface.
[0040] The wedge assembly 326 includes a wedge body 328 having a
bottom face 336 extending laterally between a left face 338 and a
right face 340, and rearward toward a rear face 332. The rear face
332 extends upward generally perpendicular from the bottom face 336
between the left and right faces 338, 340 terminating at a top face
334. The top face 334 is generally parallel to the bottom face 336
and extends laterally between the left and right faces 338, 340,
and forward to a front face 330. The front face 330 extends upward
from the bottom face 336 at an acute angle to the bottom face
between the left and right faces 338, 340, and extends rearward
toward the top face 334 thereby defining a generally elongated
wedge body 328. When viewed from either the left face 338 or the
right face 340, the wedge assembly 326 tapers from a relatively
wide lower portion to a relatively narrow upper portion.
[0041] When the alternative embodiment configurable seating
assembly 502 is used as a seating apparatus, the pad assemblies 302
are secured within the cover assembly 104, and the wedge assembly
326 is secured within the upper chamber. The upper chamber is
accessed by a panel 582. The panel 582 is generally rectangular,
and may be formed from the first top panel 114 or connected to a
rear edge of the first top panel 114. A panel 582 formed from the
first top panel 114 extends laterally between a left edge at the
left panel 152 and a right edge 588 at a right panel 168, and
rearwardly to a rear edge 584 at the back panel 150. In an
embodiment, the left edge 586, rear edge 584, and right edge 588
are connected to the left panel 152, back panel 150, and right
panel 168, respectively, by a cooperating removable connector, such
as a zipper 590, thereby providing an opening accessible from
within the cover assembly 104 for inserting the wedge assembly 326
into the upper chamber.
[0042] It will be appreciated that the components of the seating
assemblies 102 and 502 can be used for various other applications.
Moreover, the seating assemblies 102 and 502 can be fabricated in
various sizes and from a wide range of suitable materials, using
various manufacturing and fabrication techniques. In an embodiment,
the seating assemblies 102 and 502 include more or less than six
pad assemblies and corresponding compartments.
[0043] It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the
disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the
disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses
various other embodiments and aspects.
* * * * *