Seat Cushion

Abstract

A seat cushion comprising a seat portion wherein the seat portion is connected to a knee support portion. The knee support portion is connected to a leg support portion. The seat cushion is comprised of a flexible, compressible material.

Description

FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of paddings and cushions for the body and more specifically to seat and chair coverings providing body support.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional seat coverings and cushions provide some cushion and support for various portions of the body. However, these devices fail to provide support and relieve pressure on various critical portions of the body. This disadvantage leads the user to continually shift position when sitting or lying for more than a few minutes.

[0003] Some conventional seat coverings attempt to address this situation with mechanical vibrating or massaging elements. This often results in the seat covering being bulky and uncomfortable.

[0004] Additionally, conventional seat covering typically rely on the underlying seat to provide support for various parts of the user's body. For example, seat cushions that extend to the user's legs typically do not provide support of the user's legs, but rather are used on seats that provide rigid support for the user's legs. However, some circumstances in which a comfortable seat covering would be beneficial do not allow seat coverings that have electro-mechanical elements or elements made of rigid materials containing metals. Moreover, the use incorporation of rigid structures within a seat cushion may limit the use of the seat cushion in some circumstances.

SUMMARY

[0005] For one embodiment of the invention, a seat cushion is disclosed that provides support and comfort for various portions of the user's body including the user's legs and knees without incorporating rigid structural elements. For one such embodiment the seat cushion is compressible for ease of transportation and storage. Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, and from the detailed description, that follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawing exemplary constructions of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawing:

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat cushion in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] A seat cushion is disclosed that provides support for portions of the user's body without incorporating rigid support elements. For one embodiment of the invention the seat cushion is made of a compressible material allowing the seat cushion to be compressed for transportation and storage. For one embodiment the compressible material may be a visco-elastic material such as a low-resilience polyurethane foam (e.g., memory foam).

[0009] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0010] Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0011] Moreover, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention are applicable in a variety of settings in which seat cushions are employed.

Seat Cushion Material

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat cushion in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Seat cushion 100, shown in FIG. 1 is made of a compressible material such as visco-elastic polyurethane foam (VPF). When in use, the VPF conforms to each portion of the user's body, reducing contact pressure with the user's body. This allows a user to remain seated for extended periods without repositioning. When not in use the VPF is compressible for ease of transportation and storage. For various embodiments of the invention, the seat cushion may have connecting portions made form suitable materials for connecting various portions of the seat cushion to one another or for securing the seat cushion to a seat. For one embodiment the seat cushion has no rigid elements. For one such embodiment, the seat cushion provides support for each portions of the user's body with elements made from compressible materials such as VPF or similar materials including resilient foams and gels. For one such embodiment, the seat cushion provides connecting portions made from non-rigid materials.

Seat Cushion Features

[0014] For one embodiment the seat cushion 100 includes a seat portion 130 connected to a leg support portion 120. The leg support portion 120 is comprised of sufficient VPF material to retain its supportive shape and provide support for the user's legs while the user is seated. The leg support portion 120 provides support of the user's legs even though a seat or chair on which the seat cushion is placed does not provide a leg support element. For one such embodiment a knee support portion 110 provides added support to the back of the user's knee. The knee support portion 110 is comprised of a sufficient VPF material to elevate the user's thighs approximately 1-2 centimeters. In alternative embodiments, the knee support portion may be comprised of sufficient material to provide support to elevate the user's thighs more than 2 cm. This support reduces pressure on the user's thighs and knee joint and provides anti-thrombotic therapeutic support for the user's legs. For one embodiment the knee-support portion 110 has a diameter ranging from approximately 3-9 inches depending on the material used. For example, a more compressible material may have greater diameter to provide the desired support. For one embodiment the knee-support portion 110 includes a semi-rigid material to provide support to the knee. For example, the knee-support portion 110 may include a semi-rigid insert within the VPF material. For one embodiment the seat cushion includes foot support portion 160 connected to the leg support portion 120. The foot support portion 160 may comprise a foot carriage that encloses the user's feet. For one embodiment seat portion 130 is connected to a back portion 140 which may include a head rest portion 150. For one embodiment the seat cushion may include arm rest portions (not shown), that provide additional support for the user's arms. For one such embodiment, the arm rest portions attach to or rest upon an arm rest of a seat. Each of the portions of the seat cushion may include connecting portions (not shown) that connect the portions of the seat cushion to one another. For one embodiment of the invention the connecting portions are made from a non-rigid material. For example, the connecting portions may be VPF, cloth, or any suitable flexible material. Additionally, each of the portions of the seat cushion may include securing portions (not shown) that help secure the seat cushion to a seat. For one embodiment of the invention the securing portions of the seat cushion are made from a non-rigid material. For example, the seat cushion securing portion may be a Velcro fastener, non-slip material, or any other suitable securing material.

[0015] For one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the seat cushion portions may have an insertion portion shown as insertion portions 121, 131, 141, 151, and 161 for inserting additional elements into the seat cushion 100. In alternative embodiments, the insertion portions allow additional elements to be attached to, or used in conjunction with, the seat cushion 100. For example, insertion portion 131 of seat portion 130 may be used for insertion of a seat warming or cooling mechanism. Heating and cooling mechanisms may also be inserted into the other portions of seat cushion 100. Insertion portion 161 of foot support portion 160 may be used for insertion of an odor-reducing mechanism to reduce foot odor. Odor reducing mechanisms may also be inserted into the other portions of seat cushion 100 to reduce odors. Insertion portion 151 of head rest portion 150 may be used for insertion of additional neck support. Additional support mechanisms may also be inserted into the other portions of seat cushion 100. For one embodiment the insertion portions may include an inverted cloth or mesh container to help retain the additional elements within the seat cushion.

Seat Cushion Use

[0016] Embodiments of the invention may be used in a variety of settings in which seat cushions are employed. Embodiments of the invention may be especially applicable where the seat or chair used does not provide leg support. Embodiments of the invention may be especially applicable where the seat or chair used is in a limited space that inhibits a user from repositioning. Embodiments of the invention may be especially applicable where the seat or chair used is in a limited space with multiple seats in which independent climate control such as air conditioning, heating, and ventilation, is not practical. Some examples of seating environments in which an embodiment of the invention may be especially applicable include train, bus or airline seats, and theater, concert, and sports seats.

[0017] Embodiments of the invention have been described as including various elements. Many of the elements are described in their most basic form, but elements operations can be added to or deleted in accordance with various alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Claims

1. A seat cushion comprising: a seat portion, a knee support portion connected to the seat portion; and a leg support portion, the leg support portion connect to the knee support portion, the seat cushion comprised of a flexible, compressible material.

2. The seat cushion of claim 1, further comprising: a foot support portion including a foot carriage portion.