Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
SELF-STORABLE PORTABLE PADDING DEVICE/
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an article that provides comfort to a user.
In particular, the
present invention relates to a collapsible, self-storable, portable padding
device, which can
be used to increase seating comfort.
Background of the Invention
When attending various functions and events, and while travelling, people are
often required
to sit in uncomfortable seating conditions. For example, the seating options
at such
functions as sporting events, the theatre and concerts typically consist of
benches or hard
plastic chairs, often of the folding variety. Similarly, when attending a
child's play or recital in
e.g. a school auditorium, the only seating option often available is often a
hard molded
plastic chair. These seating options often have little to no inherent padding,
which provides
minimal comfort to the user. The discomfort realized with such seating
conditions is typically
exacerbated over time.
Travelling excursions, such as those in planes, trains and motor vehicles,
also present
seating conditions that become uncomfortable over time. Although the seats in
these types
of vehicles are typically padded to some degree, the padding may become worn
with use.
Additionally, extended periods spent seated in these vehicles during long
excursions tends
to compress the inherent padding in the seat, thereby minimizing the provided
comfort.
Easily addressing the discomfort found with such seating conditions is often
difficult, or at the
very least, poses some challenges. A blanket, towel or the like, preferably
when folded,
would provide additional padding if placed on the seat of a chair.
Alternatively, a pillow or a
cushion would also provide additional padding when used in a likewise manner.
However,
these options are often cumbersome, which hinders their portability and limits
their use in
such a role. Also, standard blankets, pillows and the like are not able to be
secured to a
seating arrangement, allowing for the potential of the additional padding
and/or the user to
slide off the seat.
There have been attempts in the prior art to devise a padding device that is
compact and
portable, and that can be used to mitigate some of the discomfort associated
with the
described seating conditions. Some examples are identified below.
United States Patent No. 7,591,033 discloses a compact self-storing seating
comfort article,
which comprises a blanket and an attached seat pad that may be easily folded
or rolled into
1
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
an attached reversible pouch for transportation or storage without the need
for or use of
zippers, snaps or straps.
United States Design Patent No. 376,689 discloses a combination chaise cushion
and carry
bag, which comprises a segmented cushion attached to a carry bag. The
segmented
cushion is structured such that it can be folded up and stored in the carry
bag.
United States Patent No. 5,454,125 discloses a self-contained multipurpose
comfort device,
which comprises a rectangular body portion having two pocket members disposed
one on
each surface thereof. At least one pocket member serves to store the folded
comfort device,
and may optionally also receive a pad.
United States Patent No. 4,877,288 discloses a lounge chair cover, comprising
an elongated
panel of fabric having end flaps secured to the panel to define inwardly
directed pockets.
The pockets are dimensioned to be inserted over the ends of a standard lounge
chair in
order to secure the cover over the chair.
United States Patent No. 5,816,654 discloses a back and lumbar support, which
comprises a
strip of flexible material. The strip has a pocket for mounting an upper end
of the strip on an
upper part of a chair back, which holds the strip to the back and seat portion
of the chair.
The strip preferably has a foam backing.
United States Patent No. 4,597,605 discloses a combined tote bag and seat
cushion, which
comprises a pair of cushions joined to each other by a fabric hinge. A fabric
panel is affixed
to one of the cushions and forms a pocket, which is used to secure the cushion
onto the
seatback of a chair.
United States Patent No. 6,616,225 discloses a towel adapted to remain on a
chair. The
towel comprises a pouch at an upper end thereof, which is used to secure the
towel to a
chair by enveloping the upper portion of the chair seatback. Additionally, for
storage
purposes when not in use, the towel is repeatedly folded lengthwise about
lateral creases,
and finally is tucked into the pouch.
United States Patent Publication No. 2011/0198895 discloses a portable beach
chair cover.
The beach chair cover comprises a rectangular shaped fabric having a slip-over
pouch at the
upper end thereof. The slip-over pouch slides over the upper portion of a
beach or lounge
chair. The lower end of the cover can have ties or other affixing means to
secure the cover
to the lower end portion of a chair. The beach chair cover can be folded up
into the slip-over
pouch for portable storage.
2
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
Summary of the Invention
According to one embodiment, there is provided a self-storable portable
padding device,
comprising a member capable of providing padding; securing means provided at
an end
portion, structured to secure the member to a seating arrangement; wherein the
member is
structured and dimensioned to fold or roll up into a compact state, and the
securing means
are able to retain the member in the compact state.
In a preferred embodiment, the securing means are cuffs that span the width of
the member,
thereby providing pockets. The securing means or pocket(s) envelop the top of
a chair back
and/or the front of a chair seat in order to secure the padding device to the
seating
arrangement.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The self-storable portable padding device will be described in more detail
having regard to
the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the self-storable
portable padding
device;
Figure 2 is a top view of the front side of an embodiment of the self-storable
portable
padding device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the self-storable
portable padding
device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the self-storable portable padding
device shown
in Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the self-storable portable
padding
device shown in Figure 1, rolled up into a compact portable position.
Detailed Description of the Invention
A better understanding of the present invention and its objects and advantages
will become
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description,
wherein there are
described preferred embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the
invention is
capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing
from the scope
and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the description should be regarded
as illustrative in
nature and not as restrictive.
3
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
The collapsible, self-storable, portable padding device 1 is generally an
elongated cushion,
which is ideally used whenever seating comfort needs to be increased. The
padding device
is designed and dimensioned to be inherently collapsible, such that it can be
rolled up to a
compact size, and preferably secured in a self-contained manner, such as by
insertion into a
pocket. The padding device 1 can be used in a variety of ways, such as by
affixing it to the
back and/or seat of a chair. Additionally, it can be laid flat on a bench or
the ground.
An embodiment of the padding device 1 can be seen in Figure 1. In this
embodiment, the
padding device 1 is substantially rectangular in shape purposed to correspond
with a
standard folding chair, and comprises a cover filled with padding material,
such as foam,
memory foam, down, polymers such as polymer gels or the like. Preferably the
padding
material is pliable and/or resilient, which allows the padding device 1 to be
collapsed by
rolling and/or folding.
The shape and dimensions of the padding device 1 are not limiting, and can be
modified as
necessary to fit the dimensions of standard or desired seating arrangements. A
non-limiting
list of contemplated seating arrangements includes folding chairs, molded
chairs, stacking
chairs, car seats, airplane seats, etc.
In one embodiment, the cover of the padding device 1 (and the padding itself)
is unitary in
nature (not shown), such as a single piece of foam. However, in another
embodiment, the
padding device 1 is partially or fully articulated, such as by the
introduction of seams 4 into
the padding device cover 1. Partitioning of the padding device 1 facilitates
folding and/or
rolling, such as when the padding device 1 is collapsed for storage, as well
as when the
padding device 1 is manipulated to conform to a seating arrangement. The
number of
partitions should not be considered limiting, however, it is preferable that
the padding device
1 is partitioned into at least two distinct sections to aid in the collapsing
and folding thereof.
For example, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a padding device 1 that has been
partitioned into four
distinct sections, including two end portions 2 and a middle portion 3 (which
comprises
multiple sections).
Often the back and seat portions of seating arrangements are not equivalent in
size, which
preferably is reflected in the dimensions and shape of the padding device 1.
In other words,
the padding device 1, by virtue of its partitioning, will not always be
symmetrical, as can be
seen in Figures 1 and 2. Rather, in this illustrated embodiment, which has
been designed
for a seating arrangement that has a longer back than seat, the padding device
1 has been
partitioned, by way of seams, into four distinct segments. One end portion 2
and a section of
the middle portion 3 form the smaller seat portion 7, whereas the opposing end
portion 2 and
the remaining part of the middle portion 3 form the longer back portion 8.
With such
4
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
partitioning, the padding device 1 is able to easily flex and snugly conform
to the intended
seating arrangement.
The modes of partitioning the padding device 1 are not particularly limiting.
For example, as
illustrated in the Figures, the padding device 1 may comprise seams, stitched
or otherwise,
that completely or partially occlude each section. Alternatively, the sections
of the padding
device 1 may be delineated by depressions or indentations in the padding
cover, thereby
leaving the internal portion of the padding device 1, i.e. each of the
sections, in internal
communication with each other. This latter embodiment may be preferable from a
manufacturing perspective or in such embodiments where, for example, the
padding device
1 is inflated with a fluid, such as air.
In a preferred embodiment, the padding device comprises attachment/securing
means 5 on
at least one of the end portions 2. For some seating arrangements it would be
difficult to
secure the padding device 1 to either the back or seat thereof, so it is
contemplated that
some embodiments will have attachment/securing means on only one end portion
2. The
attachment/securing means 5 can take a variety of forms, such as for example a
single strap
that spans the width of an end portion 2; a plurality of smaller straps that
together span the
width of an end portion 2, and attach together by way of a button, a snap,
hook and loop
fastening means or the like; and a cuff, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4,
which spans the
width of the end portion 2 and extends up to the end of the padding device 1
to form a
pocket 6. A cuff 5 preferably attaches to the padding device 1 along its
perimeter, and
spans the top and some or all of the side of the end portion 2, as illustrated
in Figures 3 and
4. The padding device 1 and the free end of the cuff 5 define the opening to
the pocket 6.
The attachment/securing means 5 are capable of providing at least two distinct
functions.
When the padding device 1 is to be used on a seating arrangement such as, for
example, a
folding chair, the attachment/securing means 5 affixes the padding device 1 to
the chair. An
example will be discussed with reference to the embodiment of the padding
device 1
illustrated in the Figures, where the attachment/securing means takes the form
of cuffs 5 on
each end portion 2. In this embodiment, the cuff 5 from the back portion 7 of
the padding
device 1 is slid over the upper portion of the back of a folding chair, until
the upper portion of
the back of the folding chair is fully enveloped by the pocket 6. The cuff 5
from the opposing
seat portion 8 is likewise slid over the front portion of the seat of the
folding chair. The
padding device 1 flexes and bends at the middle seam to fit the form of the
chair. This
provides for a snug attachment of the padding device 1 to, in this case, a
folding chair.
Furthermore, when the padding device 1 is no longer required or is to be
transported, it is
collapsed, folded and/or rolled up. It can be secured in this state by use
of the
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
attachment/securing means 5. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the collapsed
padding
device 1 can be tucked into one of the pockets 6 created by the cuff 5,
thereby retaining the
padding device 1 in its compact state for storage or transport. A similar type
of retention can
be attained when the attachment/securing means 5 are straps.
According to another embodiment, the sections of the padding device 1 are
manufactured
individually, and are attached together in a linear fashion by way of hinges.
Preferably the
hinges are made of a pliable material, such as fabric.
According to another embodiment, the cover of the padding device 1 is made
from a
substantially air tight material, and the padding device itself is inflatable,
such as with a fluid,
e.g. air or water. This embodiment would be more amenable to such environments
as pools
or beaches, where the padding device 1 could be used on, e.g. beach chairs,
lounge chairs
or sand. Similarly, in a further embodiment, the padding device 1 is made of a
water
resistant and/or waterproof material. When used outside at, e.g. sporting
events or the
beach, the padding device 1 will be potentially exposed to water, and often
the elements in
general. Using water resistant and/or waterproof material will extend the life
of the padding
device and make it easier to clean and maintain.
In a further embodiment, the padding device 1 comprises at least one handle
(not shown),
which can be used to carry and transport the padding device, e.g. when it is
in its compact
and stored state (see Figure 5). Preferably, the handles are made of the same
or similar
material as the remainder of the padding device 1, such as fabric or a water
resistant
material. Optionally, the at least one handle is located at the outer end of
an end portion 2.
In this location, at least one handle will be accessible when the padding
device is in its
compact and stored state (see Figure 5).
In one embodiment, the padding device 1 is outfitted with at least one
gripping member (not
shown) that aids in preventing or minimizing slipping of the padding device 1
when mounted
to a seating arrangement. Preferably, the at least one gripping member is
located on the
underside of the padding device 1, i.e. the side of the padding device that
will contact the
seating arrangement. In one embodiment, the gripping member is located on only
a portion
of the padding device 1, e.g. half of the padding device 1. For example,
covering only a
portion of the padding device 1, such as covering the seat portion 7 or the
back portion 8,
would provide gripping ability to the portion of the padding device 1 that
communicates with
either the seat or the back of the seating arrangement, respectively. In
another embodiment,
the gripping member spans substantially the length of the padding device 1,
such that when
the padding device 1 is mounted to a seating arrangement, a gripping member-
seating
arrangement interface is provided at both the seat portion 7 and the back
portion 8.
6
CA 02764554 2012-01-20
The gripping member preferably has gripping capabilities and ideally minimizes
slipping
between the padding device 1 and any surface on which it is placed. Such
materials would
be well known to one of skill in the art, and, for example, may comprise
rubber or other
polymers. Furthermore, the gripping member may take the form of at least one
strip, sheet,
dimple, circle, or any other shape, placed on the padding device 1. The
gripping member
may also comprise non-slip paint, which would allow for an endless array of
designs,
patterns, text and the like on the padding device 1.
According to one embodiment, the free end of one or both cuffs 5 are
elasticized.
Elasticizing the free end of one or both cuffs 5 will provide for a snug fit
when the pockets 6
are secured over at least one of the top of a chair back or the front of a
chair seat. In
addition, when the padding device 1 is collapsed and stored inside one of the
pockets 6,
having an elasticized cuff 5 will help to capably retain it therein.
7
