CUSHION SYSTEM FOR CHAIRS
A chair comprising a seat part and a back part. A cushion support system is provided and has at least one support cushion pivotably connected to the chair proximate the lower portion of the back part. The support cushion is pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position. A securing element secures the support cushion to the back part in the upright position. The support cushion, in the upright position, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface, and the support cushion rests upon a corresponding armrest, in the lowered position. The chair can be preferably used for nursing.
The present invention relates to cushions, more specifically to a cushion system for a chair to aid in the nursing of an infant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany chairs, cushions and support means are disclosed in the art to aid with all aspects of maternity needs. These vary from rocking chairs, recliners, boosters, and other means that offer varying levels of support to a person holding and nursing an infant.
One example of such a nursing chair is disclosed in DE20115256 which describes a chair with a back part that is swivel-mounted to the rear of a seat part, wherein adjustable straps are attached laterally to the top area of the back, rear and front of the seat and are joined to a retaining surface or device in order to facilitate a swinging motion.
Furthermore, many seats are also described that feature a moveable armrest. One such chair is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,839 which discloses a reclining seat with a moveable armrest wherein the armrest, when in an upright non-use position, is found along the back portion of the seat and may serve as part of the seat back.
Other forms of support for seats are described with moveable armrests for use in motor vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,503 describes such a feature for an armrest.
More specific to the field of maternity chairs, certain nursing chairs and cushions have been described in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 355,230 discloses a cushion to support a nursing infant. The person nursing the child sits in the chair and brings the couch to her front by adjusting the height of the couch by a thumbscrew. The nursing child can lie on the couch and can nurse by reversing the couch on its pivot.
Furthermore, US20060055215 discloses an arm support cushion attachable to an armrest of a chair where the cushion elevates and supports the arm of a person desiring to nurse an infant.
However, there is presently a need for nursing cushion system which can be easily stored in a chair and pulled out when needed, thereby doubling as a regular chair, without needing several parts or without needing too much preparation or assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to propose a chair that satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned needs.
According to the present invention, that object is accomplished with a chair comprising:
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- a seat part with a seat cushion;
- a back part with a back cushion, having an upper portion and a lower portion;
- a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion pivotably connected to the chair proximate the lower portion of the back part, said at least one support cushion pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position;
- a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright position; and
- at least one armrest;
wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright position, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface, and the at least one support cushion rests upon the corresponding at least one armrest, in the lowered position.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a chair comprising:
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- a seat part;
- a back part with a back cushion;
- a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion removably connected to the chair, said at least one support cushion reconfigurable between an upright attached configuration and a detached use configuration; and
- a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright configuration;
wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright configuration, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface.
A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.
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The cushion support system further comprises a securing element 26 for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright position.
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Preferably, the cushion support system 22 is connected to the chair 10 through a snapped strap system.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one support cushion is simply removably connected to the chair, and reconfigurable between an upright attached configuration and a detached use configuration. The securing element is then used for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright configuration. In this embodiment, the support cushion is not limited for use on the armrest, but rather can be used in a variety of configurations. For example, the support cushion can be used on the user's lap or any other convenient position for the user.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing element is a hook and loop fastening interface.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support cushion is a removable headrest cushion.
The securing element, such as a hook and loop fastening or magnet system, or any other type of fastening system, may be visible or not. The back part remains usable and comfortable even when the support cushions are lowered.
Other similar variations of different support cushions as described above can be used.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to these preferred embodiments within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A chair comprising: wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright position, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface, and the at least one support cushion rests upon the corresponding at least one armrest, in the lowered position.
- a seat part with a seat cushion;
- a back part with a back cushion, having an upper portion and a lower portion;
- a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion pivotably connected to the chair proximate the lower portion of the back part, said at least one support cushion pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position;
- a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright position; and
- at least one armrest;
2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the securing element comprises at least one strap with a fastening system selected from the group comprising button snaps, hook systems, magnet systems, loop systems, and hook and loop fasteners.
3. The chair of claim 1, wherein the cushion support system comprises a first and a second support cushion located on either side of the back cushion and the chair comprises a corresponding first and second armrest.
4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the cushion support system is connected to the chair with a snapped strap system.
5. The chair of claim 1, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
6. The chair of claim 5, wherein the headrest cushion is shaped to dissimulate the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.
7. The chair of claim 1, wherein the cushion support system further comprises a gripping element to facilitate a transition of the support cushion between the upright and the lowered position.
8. The chair of claim 7, wherein the gripping element selected from a group comprising a loop and a handle.
9. The chair of claim 2, wherein the cushion support system comprises a first and a second support cushion located on either side of the back cushion and the chair comprises a corresponding first and second armrest.
10. The chair of claim 2, wherein the cushion support system is connected to the chair with a snapped strap system.
11. The chair of claim 2, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
12. The chair of claim 11, wherein the headrest cushion is shaped to dissimulate the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.
13. The chair of claim 3, wherein the cushion support system is connected to the chair with a snapped strap system.
14. The chair of claim 3, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
15. The chair of claim 14, wherein the headrest cushion is shaped to dissimulate the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.
16. The chair of claim 13, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
17. A chair comprising: wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright configuration, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface.
- a seat part;
- a back part with a back cushion;
- a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion removably connected to the chair, said at least one support cushion reconfigurable between an upright attached configuration and a detached use configuration; and
- a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright configuration;
18. The chair of claim 17, wherein the securing element is a fastening system selected from the group comprising button snaps, hook systems, magnet systems, loop systems, and hook and loop fasteners.
19. The chair of claim 17, wherein the at least one support cushion is a headrest cushion.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 25, 2011
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2012
Inventor: Charles DESNOYERS (Saint-Paul-d'Abbotsford)
Application Number: 13/072,201
International Classification: A47C 7/54 (20060101); A47C 7/02 (20060101); A47C 31/00 (20060101);