ELEVATION SEATS, INCLUDING ELEVATION SEATS EMPLOYING SUCTION MEMBER(S) FOR SURFACE SECURING THE ELEVATION SEATS

Abstract

Elevation seats, that may employ suction members for surface securing of the elevation seats are disclosed. In this regard in one embodiment, an elevation seat is provided. The elevation seat comprises a foam base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The elevation seat also comprises a seating surface disposed on the first side of the base. The elevation seat also comprises a bottom surface disposed on the second side of the foam base. At least one suction ring is disposed around at least one void disposed in the bottom surface of the foam base to form at least one suction chamber. The suction chamber is configured to create a suction force between the at least one suction chamber region and a contact surface when a force is placed the seating surface towards the contact surface. Other features may be included in the elevation seats.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applicant Ser. No. 61/383,535, filed on Sep. 16, 2010 and entitled “Elevation Seats,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The technology of the disclosure relates to seats providing elevation. The elevation seats may be particularly suited for providing booster seats for children and cushioning seats for persons using wheelchairs, as examples only.

2. Technical Background

Seats and seating structures are common in all areas of life. Seating structures may be designed to include certain features that provide desired functionalities. For example, such features may be based on desired cushioning characteristics, support, material choices (e.g., flame retardant materials), etc. As another example, seating structures may also include features that act to reduce or relieve pressure to reduce or prevent the occurrence of bed sores.

Elevation seats, or seats providing an elevated seating surface are also another feature that is commonly used and employed in seats and seating structures in a number of applications. For example, elevation seats can be used as booster seats for children. Elevations seats may be used for utility reasons, such as elevating a child to a certain planar surface or elevation. Further, elevation seats may be required for safety reasons, such as to provide seating in vehicles. Elevation seats can also be used to provide cushioning and support for seating applications. For example, elevation seats may be used to supplement a seating surface in a wheelchair or other chair or seating surface.

Depending on the seating application, it may be desired, required by law, or otherwise necessary for seats to meet certain requirements. For example, booster seats for children may have to employ a means to secure the booster seat to a seating surface. Further, it may be desirable to provide certain desired cushioning characteristics in an elevation seat. Because elevation seats can be made out of deformable material under loads that provide cushioning support, it may also be desired to provide certain features that allow the elevation seats to retain their structure and support over repeated uses for longevity.

SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein include elevation seats. Embodiments disclosed herein also include elevation seats employing suction members for surface securing of the elevation seats. In this regard in one embodiment, an elevation seat is provided. The elevation seat comprises a foam base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The elevation seat also comprises a seating surface disposed on the first side of the foam base. The elevation seat also comprises a bottom surface disposed on the second side of the foam base. At least one suction ring disposed around at least one void disposed in the bottom surface of the foam base to form at least one suction chamber, the at least one suction chamber configured to create a suction force between the at least one suction chamber region and a contact surface when a force is placed the seating surface towards the contact surface.

The elevation seats disclosed herein may include other features. For example, the elevation seat may include a plurality of voids disposed in the bottom surface to form a plurality of suction chambers. A plurality of suction rings may be disposed in the bottom surface to form a plurality of suction chambers. The suction chambers may be disposed at different depths or the same depth. The seating surface of the elevation seat may be elevated or parallel with respect to the bottom surface. The elevation seat may include a pommel structure. The elevation seat may include a first side support disposed on a first side of the foam base and a second side support disposed on a second side of the foam base opposite of the first side to provide support side and/or arm rests. The side supports may include non-convoluted or convoluted surfaces. One or more flared surfaces may be disposed on the sides of the elevation seat and/or the rear of the elevation seat to provide greater stability to the elevation seat when mounted or disposed on a contact surface and to reduce the potential for material failure due to flexing from force over repeated uses of the elevation seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary elevation seat, which may be used as a booster seat as a non-limiting example;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the elevation seat in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the elevation seat in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the elevation seat in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the elevation seat in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the elevation seat in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the elevation seat of FIG. 1 illustrating by hidden lines the incline of the elevation seat seating surface and the cavities for suction support;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternative version of the exemplary elevation seat in FIG. 1, which does not include convoluted side supports as provided in the elevation seat in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an alternative version of the exemplary elevation seat in FIG. 1, which does not include an outer suction ring as provided in the elevation seat in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the embodiments and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

Embodiments disclosed herein include elevation seats. Embodiments disclosed herein also include elevation seats employing suction members for surface securing of the elevation seats. In this regard in one embodiment, an elevation seat is provided. The elevation seat comprises a foam base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The elevation seat also comprises a seating surface disposed on the first side of the foam base. The elevation seat also comprises a bottom surface disposed on the second side of the foam base. At least one suction ring disposed around at least one void disposed in the bottom surface of the foam base to form at least one suction chamber, the at least one suction chamber configured to create a suction force between the at least one suction chamber region and a contact surface when a force is placed the seating surface towards the contact surface.

The elevation seats disclosed herein may include other features. For example, the elevation seat may include a plurality of voids disposed in the bottom surface to form a plurality of suction chambers. A plurality of suction rings may be disposed in the bottom surface to form a plurality of suction chambers. The suction chambers may be disposed at different depths or the same depth. The seating surface of the elevation seat may be elevated or parallel with respect to the bottom surface. The elevation seat may include a pommel structure. The elevation seat may include a first side support disposed on a first side of the foam base and a second side support disposed on a second side of the foam base opposite of the first side to provide support side and/or arm rests. The side supports may include non-convoluted or convoluted surfaces. One or more flared surfaces may be disposed on the sides of the elevation seat and/or the rear of the elevation seat to provide greater stability to the elevation seat when mounted or disposed on a contact surface and to reduce the potential for material failure due to flexing from force over repeated uses of the elevation seat.

In this regard, FIGS. 1-6 are front perspective, top, front, side, rear, and bottom views, respectively, of an exemplary elevation seat 10. The elevation seat 10 may be used as a booster seat for a child, as an example. The elevation seat 10 in this embodiment is constructed from a mold and comprised of a foamed base material 12 (also referred to herein as “foam base 12”). The foam base 12 is a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic, a thermoset, and/or an elastomer.

Non-limiting examples of thermoplastic materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polystyrene, polyethylenes, ethylene vinyl acetates (EVAs), polyolefins, including metallocene catalyzed low density polyethylene, thermoplastic olefins (TPOs), thermoplastic polyester, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), chlorinated polyethylene, styrene block copolymers, ethylene methyl acrylates (EMAs), ethylene butyl acrylates (EBAs), and the like, and derivatives thereof.

Non-limiting examples of elastomers include, but are not limited to, biopolymers, copolymers, foams using more than one poloymer or more than one formulation, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber (CR), polychloroprene, neoprene, baypren, ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene propylene diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber, epichlorhydrin rubber, polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers, polyether block amides (PEBA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene, EVA, thermoplastic elastomers, (TPE), for example elastron, TPVs, thermoplastic polyurethane, TPOs, proteins resilin and elastin, and polysulfide rubber.

Non-limiting examples of thermoset materials include polyurethanes, natural and synthetic rubbers, such as latex, silicones, EPDM, isoprene, chloroprene, neoprene, melamine-formaldehyde, polyester, and derivatives thereof. The density of the thermoset material may be provided to any density desired to provide the desired resiliency and cushioning characteristics. The thermoset material can be soft or firm depending on formulations and density selections. Further, if the thermoset material selected is a natural material, such as latex for example, it may be considered biodegradable. Further, bacteria, mildew, and mold cannot live in certain thermoset foams. Other material choices for the foam base 12 may include water based and organic materials and/or systems.

Further, the foam base 12 can be used to provide a cellular foam, which may be comprised of open cells, closed cells, or both open and closed cells. The density of the foam base 12 may be provided to any density desired to provide the desired weight and support characteristics. Further, a foam base 12 can be selected that is inherently resistant to microbes and bacteria, making such desirable for use in the application of cushioning structures. These foam bases 12 can also be made biodegradable and fire retardant through the use of additive master batches. The elevation seat 10 in the illustrated embodiment also has integral skin, but could not include a skin, or could include non-integral skin.

The elevation seat 10 contains several features that may be advantageous for an elevation seat. The overall depth of the elevation seat 10 is D₁, as shown in FIG. 2. The overall width of the elevation seat 10 is D₂, as shown in FIG. 2. The overall height of the elevation seat 10 is D₃, as shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elevation seat 10 contains a seating surface 14 designed to support a person or child sitting in the elevation seat 10. The depth of the seating surface 14 is D₄, as shown in FIG. 2. The width of the seating surface 14 is D₅, as shown in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the seating surface 14 includes a pommel 16 separating two concave surfaces 18A, 18B that support receiving legs of a person sitting on the seating surface 14 of the elevation seat 10. The concave surfaces 18A, 18B provide for an improved shaping of the seating surface 14 to a person when he or she is sitting in the elevation seat 10 and can assist in retaining the person in the correct and stable orientation on the seating surface 14. Especially for children, it may be important to provide features that assist in retaining the children in the correct orientation in the elevation seat 10.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the elevation seat 10 contains a raised portion 20 disposed around the seating surface 14. The raised portion 20 is disposed around sides 22A, 22B and a rear 24 of the elevation seat 10. The raised portion 20 provides side and rear support for a person sitting in the elevation seat 10. A person's lower back will typically rest against the front section 25 of the raised portion 20 disposed in the rear 24 of the elevation seat 10. The raised portion 20 may further included a contoured surface 26 that transitions to the front section 25 to provide a better fit and support between a person's sides and lower back and the elevation seat 10. For example, the contoured surface 26 may provide additional lumbar support, or additional structures may be disposed in the front section of the raised portion 20 to provide lumbar support.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and also illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the raised portion 20 includes side supports 28A, 28B. The side supports 28A, 28B support the sides and can also support the arms of a person when sitting in the elevation seat 10. The side supports 28A, 28B also provide raised portions that can be used to assist a person in sitting in the elevation seat 10. A person, such as a child, can grab the side supports 28A, 28B when facing the elevation seat 10 to orient themselves with regard to the seating surface 14 before turning and sitting down on the seating surface 14. Top surfaces 29A, 29B of the side supports 28A, 28B can also include convolutions or interruptions as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to provide a gripping surface.

The side supports 28A, 28B are often subjected to forces, sometimes extreme forces, which can cause the side supports 28A, 28B to degrade over time. The material of the side supports 28A, 28B can lose its rigidity and support and its ability to recover from exerted forces over time. In this regard, the side supports 28A, 28B are provided as flared portions 30A, 30B in this embodiment. Thus, when a force is exerted on the side supports 28A, 28B, the force is distributed to a greater amount of material instead of the force being concentrated in a smaller portion of material thus exerting a greater amount of force on a portion of the side supports 28A, 28B. Further, by providing the flared portions 30A, 30B, a greater ratio of seating surface 14 to the bottom surface 32 area can provided for greater stability of the elevation seat 10. Further, the flared portions 30A, 30B could be angled with respect to an orthogonal axis to the seating surface 14 at an angle desired to provide varying stability and durability characteristics. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flared portions may be of a height D₇ at its highest point with tapered end sections 31B(1), 31B(2) at height D₈ (also 31A(1), 31A(2) on the opposite side shown in FIG. 4). The tapered end sections 31B(1), 31B(2) (and 31A(1), 31A(2)) may be angled as shown at angle Θ₁ to provide a greater support proximate a bottom surface 32 of the elevation seat 10. For example, the flared portions 30A, 30B may extend a distance D₆ away from a bottom surface 32 of the elevation seat 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the elevation seat 10 may include a rear support 33. The rear support 33 supports the rear 24 of the elevation seat 10. The rear support 33 is subjected to forces, sometimes extreme forces, which may cause the rear support 33 to degrade over time. The material of the rear support 33 can lose its rigidity and support and its ability to recover from exerted forces over time. In this regard, the rear support 33 is provided as flared portions 35A, 35B in this embodiment. Thus, when a force is exerted on the rear support 33, the force is distributed to a greater amount of material instead of the force being concentrated in a smaller portion of material thus exerting a greater amount of force on a portion of the rear support 33. Further, by providing the flared portions 35A, 35B, a greater ratio of seating surface 14 to the bottom surface 32 area can provided for greater stability of the elevation seat 10. Further, the flared portions 35A, 35B could be angled with respect to an orthogonal axis to the seating surface 14 at an angle desired to provide varying stability and durability characteristics. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flared portions may be of a height D₉ at its highest point with flared portions 35A, 35B at height D₁₀. The tapered end sections 29A, 29B may be angled as shown at angle Θ₂ to provide a greater support proximate a bottom surface 32 of the elevation seat 10.

With reference to FIG. 6, the bottom surface 32 of the elevation seat 10 is shown. The bottom surface 32 contains several features that are now described. For example, the bottom surface 32 includes two concave surfaces 34A, 34B in this embodiment that are formed as voids of material or suction chambers by the mold of the elevation seat 10. The voids formed by the two concave surfaces 34A, 34B form suction chambers C₁ and C₂, respectively. The concave surfaces 34A, 34B can provide desired cushioning characteristics for the seating surface 14. The concave surfaces 34A, 34B have an outer radius R₁ and an inner radius R₂ as illustrated in FIG. 6.

With continuing reference to FIG. 6, the concave surfaces 34A, 34B could also be used as part of a suction system to allow the elevation seat 10 to be secured to a surface when in use as a safety feature. In this regard, the mold of the elevation seat 10 is designed to form a suction ring 36(1) in this embodiment. The suction ring 36(1) is designed to contact a surface in which the elevation seat 10 is placed on or secured to a contact surface. When a force is placed downward on the elevation seat 10 when disposed on a contact surface, a partial vacuum or region of low pressure is retained inside the suction chambers C₁ and C₂ to assist in retaining the elevation seat 10 to a surface. The suction ring 36(1) assists in retaining the partial vacuum or low pressure inside the suction chambers C₁ and C₂.

With continuing reference to FIG. 6, an additional suction ring 36(2) could be provided in the mold of the elevation seat 10. The suction ring 36(2) may be formed by a channel 38 disposed adjacent to the bottom surface 32 around the circumference area of the elevation seat 10. Suction chambers C₃ and C₄ are formed as a result. Suction chamber C₃ is formed by the border of a portion of the suction ring 36(2) and the suction ring 36(1), as illustrated in FIG. 6. Suction chamber C₄ is formed by the border of a portion of the suction ring 36(2) and the suction ring 36(1) adjacent the rear 24 of the elevation seat 10. As illustrated in the side view of the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 7, the depth D₁₂ of suction chamber C₃ and the depth D₁₃ of suction chamber C₄ are the same in this embodiment, but do not have to be the same depth. Note that only one concave surface or more than two concave surfaces can be provided in the elevation seat 10 in lieu of two concave surfaces 34A, 34B.

With continuing reference to FIG. 6, the suction chambers C₃ and C₄ could also be used as part of a suction system to allow the elevation seat 10 to be secured to a surface when in use as a safety feature. In this regard, when a force is placed on the elevation seat 10 to secure the elevation seat 10 to a contact surface, and the suction ring 36(1) contacts the contact surface and creates a partial vacuum or region of low pressure is retained inside the suction chambers C₁ and C₂ to assist in retaining the elevation seat 10 to a surface. The suction ring 36(2) assists in retaining the partial vacuum or low pressure inside the suction chambers C₃ and C₄.

FIG. 7 also illustrates the inclined seating surface 14 of the elevation seat 10. As shown therein, the seating surface 14 is disposed at an angle Θ₃ with regard to the planar axis of the bottom surface 32. The height D₁₄ of the seating surface 14 proximate the pommel 16 of the elevation seat 10 is greater than the height D₁₅ of the seating surface 14 disposed at the front section 25 of the rear 24 of the elevation seat 10. In this manner, the momentum of the person or child sitting on the seating surface 14 is biased to the rear 24 of the elevation seat 10. The person or child sitting on the seating surface 14 will be bounded by the front section 25 of the rear 24 thereby increasing the chance of the person or child being retained in the seating surface 14 when a force is applied to the elevation seat 10.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternative version of an exemplary elevation seat 10′ to the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 1. The elevation seat 10′ in FIG. 8 is the same as the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 1, except that the elevation seat 10′ does not include the convolutions in the side supports 28A′, 28B′. The side supports 28A′, 28B′ do not include any convolutions. All other features, including those features shown in the elevation seat 10′ in FIG. 8 with common element numbers to the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 1, are the same and thus will not be re-described.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an alternative version of an exemplary elevation seat 10″ to the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 6. The elevation seat 10″ in FIG. 9 is the same as the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 6, except that the elevation seat 10″ does not include the suction ring 36(1) in the elevation seat 10. Suction chamber C₅ is formed by outer suction ring 36(2). All other features, including those features shown in the elevation seat 10″ in FIG. 9 with common element numbers to the elevation seat 10 in FIG. 6, are the same and thus will not be re-described.

Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. The dimensions disclosed herein may be of any dimensions desired. For example, the overall depth of the elevation seats may be fourteen (14) inches as an example. The front height may be 3.25 inches. The rear height may be five (5) inches. The overall width may be 15.25 inches. Therefore, it is to be understood that the description is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments. It is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments provided they come within the scope of the embodiments and their equivalents. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. An elevation seat, comprising:

a foam base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

a seating surface disposed on the first side of the foam base;

a bottom surface disposed on the second side of the foam base;

at least one suction ring disposed around at least one void disposed in the bottom surface of the foam base to form at least one suction chamber, the at least one suction chamber configured to create a suction force between the at least one suction chamber and a contact surface when a force is placed on the seating surface towards the contact surface.

2. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one void is comprised of a plurality of voids.

3. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one suction ring is comprised of a plurality of suction rings each disposed around at least one void to form a plurality of suction chambers.

4. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein a first depth of at least one suction chamber disposed in a first suction ring among the plurality of suction rings is greater than a second depth of at least one suction chamber disposed in a second suction ring among the plurality of suction rings.

5. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one suction ring is comprised of a first suction ring disposed around at least one first void to form at least one first suction chamber, and a second suction ring disposed around a periphery of the bottom surface of the foam base to form at least one second suction chamber.

6. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the seating surface is comprised of an inclined seating surface non-parallel to the bottom surface.

7. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the seating surface is comprised of a seating surface parallel to the bottom surface.

8. The elevation seat of claim 1, further comprising a pommel structure disposed on the seating surface.

9. The elevation seat of claim 1, further comprising a first side support disposed on a first side of the foam base and a second side support disposed on a second side of the foam base opposite of the first side.

10. The elevation seat of claim 9, further comprising at least one first convolution surface disposed in the first side support and at least one second convolution surface disposed in the second side support.

11. The elevation seat of claim 9, wherein the at least one first convolution surface is comprised of a plurality of first convolution surfaces, the at least one second convolution surface is comprised of a plurality of second convolution surfaces.

12. The elevation seat of claim 9, wherein the first side support is comprised of a first flared side support, and the second side support is comprised of a second flared side support.

13. The elevation seat of claim 1, further comprising a raised portion disposed in a rear of the foam base adjacent the seating surface.

14. The elevation seat of claim 1, further comprising a contoured section disposed between the raised portion and the seating surface.

15. The elevation seat of claim 1, further comprising a flared rear section disposed on a rear side of the foam base.

16. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the foam base is comprised of a thermoplastic material.

17. The elevation seat of claim 17, wherein the thermoplastic material is comprised of at least one of polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polystyrene, polyethylenes, ethylene vinyl acetates (EVAs), polyolefins, including metallocene catalyzed low density polyethylene, thermoplastic olefins (TPOs), thermoplastic polyester, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), chlorinated polyethylene, styrene block copolymers, ethylene methyl acrylates (EMAs), ethylene butyl acrylates (EBAs.

18. The elevation seat of claim 1, wherein the foam base is comprised of a thermoset material.

19. The elevation seat of claim 18, wherein the thermoset material is comprised of at least one of biopolymers, copolymers, foams using more than one poloymer or more than one formulation, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber (CR), polychloroprene, neoprene, baypren, ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene propylene diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber, epichlorhydrin rubber, polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers, polyether block amides (PEBA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene, EVA, thermoplastic elastomers, (TPE), for example elastron, TPVs, thermoplastic polyurethane, TPOs, proteins resilin and elastin, and polysulfide rubber.