Universal Portable Seat Cushion

Abstract

A portable, foldable seat cushion has a first planar section comprising a first layer of cushion material joined to a first rigid panel, the first section having a first overall height, a second planar section comprising a second layer of cushion material joined to a second rigid panel, the second section having a second overall height equal to the first overall height, and a fold section having a constant width of substantially twice the overall height of the sections, and a height no more than the height of one of the rigid panels, the fold section joined to each of the first and second sections along two fold lines, such that the seat cushion may be folded with one of the planar sections overlying the other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to provisional patent application 60/904,991, filed Mar. 5, 2007, and the prior application is incorporated in its entirety at least by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of personal comfort apparatus, and pertains more particularly to a portable and foldable seat cushion.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

Seat cushions and pillows are abundant and well-known in the art. But there remain unmet needs. For example, sports stadiums, except for VIP sections and luxury boxes, are typically provided with hard seats and benches, rather than cushioned seats or chairs. Many thousands of people attend sports events and concerts every day, and most are relegated to uncomfortable seating. Further, there are many among these people who are elderly, and some disabled, or suffering from conditions that make it doubly uncomfortable to sit on hard surfaces.

What is needed therefore is a thoroughly portable and easily-usable seat cushion that people may use on hard surface seats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention a portable, foldable seat cushion is provided, comprising a first planar section comprising a first layer of cushion material joined to a first rigid panel, the first section having a first overall height, a second planar section comprising a second layer of cushion material joined to a second rigid panel, the second section having a second overall height equal to the first overall height, and a fold section having a constant width of substantially twice the overall height of the sections, and a height no more than the height of one of the rigid panels, the fold section joined to each of the first and second sections along two fold lines, such that the seat cushion may be folded with one of the planar sections overlying the other.

In one embodiment the fold section is a rigid panel joined to the first and second planar sections at the fold lines by flexible material enabling the folding. Also in one embodiment the second planar section is a mirror image of the first planar section, and the cushion material on each section is of lesser areal extent than the rigid panel, such that, unfolded, the seat cushion presents cushion material in areas to support a user's buttocks and thighs, but no cushion material in an area below a user's genital and tailbone area, providing a seat cushion that supports the user by the buttocks and thighs only, providing space for the tailbone and genital area.

In another embodiment of the invention the cushion material has multiple, narrow, open regions providing free volume for expansion of the cushion material when supporting a user's weight. Also in another embodiment the cushion areas comprise envelopes having membranes, the envelopes filled with liquid or semi-liquid material.

In some embodiments each planar section has an opening with a length about the width of a human hand near an edge opposite the fold section, such that with the seat cushion folded, the openings in the two sections align, providing a carrying handle for a user, and in some cases the openings providing a carrying handle passing completely through each of the planar sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a foldable, portable seat cushion in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat cushion of FIG. 1, folded.

FIG. 3a is a cross-section taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1, in one variation of the invention.

FIG. 3b is a cross-section taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1, in another variation of the invention.

FIG. 3c is a cross-section taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1, in yet another variation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a foldable, portable seat cushion 101 in an embodiment of the present invention. Cushion 101 is shown in flat, unfolded condition in FIG. 1, and comprises contiguous areas 103 of relatively thick, resilient material, such as sturdy foam material, and areas 102 of relatively thin material. The longer more narrow areas of relatively thin material provide room for the thicker, resilient material to expand under the weight of a user.

Area 110 indicated by a dotted circle defines the larger area of relatively thin material, and is an area where a user's genital area and tailbone will be with the user sitting on cushion 101. The user's buttocks will be supported by areas 111, and the user's thighs by areas 112. Because the user is supported on the thicker areas 111 and 112, the user's genital area and tailbone have extra room, and do not support the user's weight.

Two fold lines 105 are indicated in FIG. 1, and their purpose is described in further detail below. In addition, two areas 104 are shown in which one embodiment are through-openings, that when the cushion is folded align and provide a carrying handle for the folded cushion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of cushion 101 folded along fold lines 105, such that thick areas 103 come in contact, and oval areas 104 align, providing a carrying handle.

FIG. 3a shows one of three alternative cross-sections taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment a base of cushion 101 is made of rigid or semi-rigid panels 106, connected along lines 105 by thin, flexible material 107, such as cloth, like canvas, or other very flexible material that will not prevent the folding of rigid panels 106 along fold lines 105. The arrangement of fold lines 105 is shown in enlargement. In this embodiment thicker areas 103 are made of foam material, such as sponge or polymeric foam, in some cases molded directly on panels 106, and in some cases joined to panels 106 by adhesive.

FIG. 3b illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein thick foam areas 103 are joined to rigid panels 106 on both sides. In this embodiment the cushion may be folded in either direction, and may be deployed with either side up or down. Also in this embodiment, as shown in the enlarged portion, the more flexible connecting material in fold lines 105 is positioned more nearly the center of the thickness of panels 106, to enable the folding in either direction.

FIG. 3c shows yet another embodiment wherein the thicker areas are formed with membranes 108 filled with liquid or semi-liquid material 109. The filled cushion materials may also be used in the embodiments shown by FIGS. 3a and 3b.

In most embodiments height “h” shown in FIG. 3a is about one-half of width “d”, such that the two sides of the cushion fold evenly. In some cases areas 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are through-openings, and in some cases are then areas closed by panels 106. In either case these areas provide a carrying interface for a user. It will be apparent as well that cushions in various embodiments of this invention may be made in various sizes and of various materials, and in varying thicknesses.

The examples described above are exemplary of embodiments of the invention, and there may be many alterations in these embodiments, within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the shape and placement of the relatively thin areas in different embodiments may vary considerably. Thicknesses of the thicker areas and the thinner areas may also vary considerably. There are many different materials that may be suitable, and many different fill materials that may be used in the embodiment that has filled cushion elements. Therefore the invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims:

Claims

1. A portable, foldable seat cushion, comprising:

a first planar section comprising a first layer of cushion material joined to a first rigid panel, the first section having a first overall height;

a second planar section comprising a second layer of cushion material joined to a second rigid panel, the second section having a second overall height equal to the first overall height; and

a fold section having a constant width of substantially twice the overall height of the sections, and a height no more than the height of one of the rigid panels, the fold section joined to each of the first and second sections along two fold lines, such that the seat cushion may be folded with one of the planar sections overlying the other.

2. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the fold section is a rigid panel joined to the first and second planar sections at the fold lines by flexible material enabling the folding.

3. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the second planar section is a mirror image of the first planar section, and the cushion material on each section is of lesser areal extent than the rigid panel, such that, unfolded, the seat cushion presents cushion material in areas to support a user's buttocks and thighs, but no cushion material in an area below a user's genital and tailbone area, providing a seat cushion that supports the user by the buttocks and thighs only, providing space for the tailbone and genital area.

4. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the cushion material has multiple, narrow, open regions, providing free volume for expansion of the cushion material when supporting a user's weight.

5. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein the cushion areas comprise envelopes having membranes, the envelopes filled with liquid or semi-liquid material.

6. The seat cushion of claim 1 wherein each planar section has an opening with a length about the width of a human hand near an edge opposite the fold section, such that with the seat cushion folded, the openings in the two sections align, providing a carrying handle for a user.

7. The seat cushion of claim 6 wherein the openings providing a carrying handle passing completely through each of the planar sections.