Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02816228 2013-05-16
Docket No. MULINO1
PATENT APPLICATION
PORTABLE THERMAL SEAT COVER
INVENTORS:
Laurie Mullin
36 Vista Place SE
Medicine, Hat, Alberta T1B4V4
Citizenship - Canadian
Scott Mullin
36 Vista Place SE
Medicine, Hat, Alberta T1B4V4
Citizenship - Canadian
CA 02816228 2013-05-16
Portable Thermal Seat Cover
by Laurie Mullin and Scott Mullin
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING
APPENDIX
[0002] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is
subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it
appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves
all copyright
rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to seat
covers.
More particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to
insulated seat
covers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The following background information may present examples of
specific
aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or
common wisdom)
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that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to
additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or
any embodiments
thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
[0006] The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art
that, while
expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects
of the prior
art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any
embodiments thereof,
to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of
educational
background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is
that a
cushion is a soft bag of some ornamental material, stuffed with wool, hair,
feathers,
polyester staple fiber, non-woven material, or even paper torn into fragments.
It may be
used for sitting or kneeling upon, or to soften the hardness or angularity of
a chair or
couch. Cushions and rugs can be used temporarily outside, to soften a hard
ground. They
can be placed on sun loungers and used to prevent annoyances from moist grass
and
biting insects.
[0007] Typically, thermal insulation is the reduction of heat transfer
between
objects in thermal contact or in range of radiative influence. Heat transfer
is the transfer
of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature. The means to stem
heat flow
may be especially engineered methods or processes, as well as suitable static
objects and
materials. Insulating a seat cushion to retain thermal energy may involve
combining a
cushion with an insulator.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional
techniques are not
perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by
way of
limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
reference
numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
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[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary insulation portion, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
joined with a mounting surface, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
in a rolled up position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
positioned overtop the mounting surface, with two mounting fasteners joining,
in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] an exemplary thermal cover positioned underneath a standard seat
cover
with a mounting fastener being used for attachment to the mounting surface, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not
necessarily
drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by
reference to
the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
[0018] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to
the
Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
detailed
description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory
purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be
appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of
the present
invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches,
depending upon
the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail
described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the
following
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embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and
variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all
fit within the
scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice
versa and
masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative
embodiments do
not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0019] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not
limited to the
particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses,
and
applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood
that the
terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must
be noted that
as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, a
reference to "an element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes
equivalents
thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a
reference to "a
step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more steps or means and may
include sub-
steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the
most
inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having
the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical "exclusive or"
unless the context
clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be
understood also to
refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to
express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly
dictates
otherwise.
[0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have
the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
to which
this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials
are
described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or
equivalent
to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the
present invention.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional
equivalents of
such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to
embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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[0021] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and
modifications will
be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications
may involve
equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which
may be used
instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
[0022] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to
particular
combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the
disclosure of the
present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of
features
disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or
not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and
whether or not
it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention.
[0023] Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments
may
also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various
features
which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may
also be
provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby
give notice
that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such
features
during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application derived
therefrom.
[0024] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," "various embodiments," etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s)
of the
invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic, but
not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure,
or
characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment," or
"in an
exemplary embodiment," do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment,
although they
may.
[0025] As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful
considerations and
compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture
of a
commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the
present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit
and
teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of
the particular
application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s),
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approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment
of the
present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and
matched, or
improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average
skills and
known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the
needs of the
particular application.
[0026] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in
accordance
with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps
may be
suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted
depending
upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method
steps of
the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or
hardware
system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of
the foregoing
teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can
be carried
out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately
configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of
the
invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any
particular
tangible means of implementation.
[0027] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference
to
embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0028] There are various types of portable thermal seat covers that may be
provided
by preferred embodiments of the present invention. For example, without
limitation, a
thermal cover 100 may provide a portable seat cover that retains a user's
thermal energy,
and reemits the thermal energy back to the user to negate the need for a
thermal energy
source. The thermal cover may be positioned on a mounting surface, including
without
limitation, a chair, a bleacher, a sofa, a couch, a yard chair, the ground,
and the like. The
thermal cover may secure onto the mounting surface through at least one
mounting
fastener, including, without limitation, straps, Velcro, snap-buttoons,
adhesives, and the
like. However, in other embodiments, the seat cover may not join with the
mounting
surface, but rest loosely on the mounting surface. The thermal cover may
include an
insulation portion having suficient heat capacity to retain the user's thermal
energy, and
reemit the thermal energy from the thermal cover onto the user. In some
embodiments,
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the insulation's capacity to reemit thermal energy negates the need for a
thermal energy
source, including, without limitation, a heat pack, a battery, and a thermal
gel solution. In
some embodiments, the insulation portion may include a metalized film,
including
without limitation, double bubble polyethylene aluminum. An alternate
embodiment for
the type of metal utilized in the polyethylene aluminum may include, without
limitation,
nickel and chromium. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present
teachings, will
recognize that double bubble polyethylene aluminum may include an aluminum
lightweight, space age design that integrates closed cell foam and reflective
technology
with a protective poly coating within multiple thin layers. The durable poly
coating may
protect the insulating material from potentially damaging surfaces and may be
impermeable to moisture. The physical characteristics and overall design of
the double
bubble polyethylene make it a very effective product for insulating, retaining
thermal
energy from the user, and reemitting the thermal energy from the seat cover.
In some
embodiments, the insulation may be sewn into the seat cover. Those skilled in
the art, in
light of the present teachings, will recognize that padding may surround the
aluminum
insulation to provide enhanced comfort for a user. The padding may include,
without
limitation, a 1" foam pad, feathers, cotton, polyester staple fiber, and non-
woven
material. An alternate embodiment of the present invention may include the
seat cover
being rolled up and secured in a cylindrical shape with elastic bands attached
to the ends
of the seat cover. However, in other embodiments, the seat cover may be
secured with
fasteners, including, without limitation, Velcro, snap-buttons, straps, and
adhesives.
Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize
that the thermal
seat cover may be an affordable and efficient option to remain warm at outdoor
or indoor
events, including, without limitation, camping, picnic, BBQ, watching outdoor
sports,
watching television indoors, and sitting on bleacher seats.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
100 laid flat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
some
embodiments, the thermal cover may provide a portable seat cover that retains
a user's
thermal energy, and reemits the thermal energy back to the user; thereby not
requiring a
thermal energy source. In some embodiments, the thermal cover may include an
external
cover 102 that surrounds an insulation portion 104. The external cover may
include a
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multiplicity of fabric panels joined together to securely form a perimeter
around the
insulation portion. The insulation portion may be configured to fit snugly
within the
external cover. In some embodiments, a slit is available on one side of the
external cover
for facilitated removal of the insulation portion. In this manner, the
external cover may be
washed or filled with additional padding. In some embodiments, the slit may be
secured
into a closed position with fasteners, including, without limitation, Velcro,
pins, snap-
buttons, and adhesives. An alternate embodiment may include external covers
fabricated
from a material capable of being wiped clean, including, without limitation,
nylon and
plastic. In some embodiments, the nylon external cover may not require the
slit, since the
insulation portion does not necessitate removal to clean the external cover.
[0030] In some embodiments, suitable materials for fabrication of the
external
cover may include, without limitation, fabric, cotton, vinyl, polyester,
plastic, and a
permeable membrane. In some embodiments, the external cover may be joined with
a
combination of different materials. Those skilled in the art, in light of the
present
teachings, will recognize that the external cover may be comprised of a
multiplicity of
panels sewn together with a four-thread method to provide strength and
durability. In
some embodiments, after the front and back sections of the external cover are
sewn
together, a bias tape may be applied along the edge to provide a more polished
look.
However, in other embodiments, the multiplicity of panels may be assembled
with other
fasteners, including, without limitation, adhesives, staples, and tied knots.
In some
embodiments, the back section of the external cover may include two extending
flaps of
material that overlap to form at least one mounting fastener 108. In some
embodiments
each mounting fastener may be an adjustable flap used for joining the external
cover to
most types of recreational chairs and seats. In some embodiments, the external
cover may
also include at least one rollup fastener 110 sewn within the top of the bias
tape to
provide the user with a method of rolling up and securing the seat cover. An
alternate
embodiment may include a handle sewn within the bias tape on the top back top
edge to
facilitate easy carrying. In some embodiments, the external cover may include
a plethora
of colors and figures on the surface, or the user may custom tailor the
design, including,
without limitation, color, figures, logos, and texture. In some embodiments,
padding may
be incorporated inside the external cover, along with the insulation portion
to provide
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additional padding. The padding may include, without limitation, a 1" foam
pad, cotton,
feathers, fabric, and the like.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary insulation portion, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments
the
insulation portion may have suficient heat capacity to retain the user's
thermal energy,
and remit the thermal energy from the seat cover back onto the user. The
insulation
portion may utilize insulating properties of the external cover to create a
more efficient
thernmal effect. In some embodiments, the insulation portion may include a
metalized
film 105 for providing a reflective silver surface similar to aluminum foil.
In some
embodiments, the metalized film may include, without limitation, double bubble
polyethylene aluminum. An alternate embodiment for the type of metal utilized
may
include, without limitation, nickel and chromium. The metal film may also
reduce the
permeability of the metal film to light, water and oxygen. The properties of
the metal film
include without limitations, higher toughness, the ability to be heat sealed,
and a lower
density at a lower cost than an aluminum foil. The insulation portion may also
include an
insulator 106 that is sandwiched between two layers of the metal film. The
insulator may
be used to reduce the rate of heat transfer within the insulation portion. The
insulator may
include, without limitation, two layers of polyethylene bubbles sandwiched
between the
metalized film, fiberglass, foam, cotton, fibers, silicone, and polyurethane
foam. For
example, without limitation, the insulator may include two layers of
polyethylene bubbles
sandwiched between radial foil. In some embodiments, the insulation's capacity
to reemit
thermal energy negates the need for a thermal energy source, including,
without
limitation, a heat pack, a battery, and a gel. Those skilled in the art, in
light of the present
teachings, will recognize that double bubble polyethylene aluminum may include
an
aluminum lightweight, space age design that integrates reflective technology
with a
protective poly coating to enclose multiple thin layers of polyethylene
bubbles. The
durable poly coating may protect the insulating material from potentially
damaging
surfaces and may be impermeable to moisture. The physical characteristics and
overall
design of the double bubble polyethylene make it a very effective product for
insulating,
retaining thermal energy from the user, and reemitting the thermal energy from
the seat
cover. In some embodiments, the insulation may be sewn into the seat cover.
Those
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skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that
padding may
surround the aluminum insulation to provide enhanced comfort for a user.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
joined with a mounting surface, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention. In some embodiments, the thermal cover fits over a mounting surface
112,
including, without limitation, a seat, a chair, a sofa, a lawn chair, a beach
chair, and the
like. In some embodiments, the thermal cover may be sufficiently sized and
dimensioned
to engage with the user's buttocks and complete back side. The thermal cover
may attach
to the mounting surface with at least one mounting fastener that joins with
the seat cover.
The at least one mounting fastener may be fabricated from the same material as
the
external cover, and may be an extension of the external cover. In this manner,
unsightly
and extraneous straps and ties may be avoided.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
in a rolled up position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In
some embodiments, the thermal cover may roll up into a cylindrical shape
neatly for
storage and portability. However, in other embodiments, the thermal cover may
fold into
various shapes, or crumple into a ball for storage. In some embodiments, after
the
thermal cover is rolled up, rollup fasteners may secure the thermal cover in
the cylindrial
shape with elastic bands attached to the ends of the thermal cover. However,
in other
embodiments, the thermal cover may be secured with fasteners, including,
without
limitation, Velcro, snap-buttons, straps, and adhesives.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary
thermal cover
positioned overtop the mounting surface, with two mounting fasteners joining,
in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments,
the
thermal cover may position underneath a primary seat cover. In some
embodiments, the
thermal cover may be placed underneath a blanket to extend the thermal comfort
over a
larger area, and enhance the thermal effect. In some embodiments, the thermal
cover may
not include a seat cover, but rather, only an insulation portion. In some
embodiments, the
insulation portion may not attach to a mounting surface, yet still provide
thermal comfort.
In some embodiments, the insulation portion may be positioned onto the ground,
without
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an external cover. An alternate embodiment may include the thermal portion
being sewn
directly into a chair, without the external cover. In some embodiments, the
external cover
with the padding inside may be utilized without the insulation portion for
providing an
aesthetic design.
[0035] In one alternative embodiment, the external cover may be waterproof.
The
multiplicity of panels may be joined so that moisture does not enter the
thermal cover.
The external cover may also be fabricated from a waterproof material. In one
alternative
embodiment, the thermal cover may be configured to conform to different body
parts
other than the buttocks and back, including, without limitation, neck, leg,
feet, and arms.
[0036] All the features or embodiment components disclosed in this
specification,
including any accompanying abstract and drawings, unless expressly stated
otherwise,
may be replaced by alternative features or components serving the same,
equivalent or
similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same,
equivalent,
suitable, or similar results by such alternative feature(s) or component(s)
providing a
similar function by virtue of their having known suitable properties for the
intended
purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is
one example
only of a generic series of equivalent, or suitable, or similar features known
or knowable
to those skilled in the art without requiring undue experimentation.
[0037] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present
invention,
other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a portable seat cover
that retains
a user's thermal energy, and reemits the thermal energy back to the user;
thereby not
requiring a thermal energy source according to the present invention will be
apparent to
those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described
above by
way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended
to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of
the portable
seat cover that retains a user's thermal energy, and reemits the thermal
energy back to the
user; thereby not requiring a thermal energy source may vary depending upon
the
particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the
portable seat
cover that retains a user's thermal energy, and remits the thermal energy back
to the
user; thereby not requiring a thermal energy source described in the foregoing
were
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principally directed to seat cover implementations; however, similar
techniques may
instead be applied to providing thermal energy in a bed, including a baby
crib, which
implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope
of the
present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It
is to be further
understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing
specification will
necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or
improvements described
in the foregoing specification.
[0038] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or
lettered
solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and
lettering in
itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of
elements
and/or steps in the claims.
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