Portable Supplemental Pad Patents (Class 297/180.11)
  • Patent number: 11478086
    Abstract: A system includes a pump having a filter. The filter includes a HEPA material configured for filtering air and the pump used to inflate an inflatable device configured to support a patient. A kit includes a pump configured for moving air to inflate an inflatable device, and a removable filter including a HEPA material couplable to the pump and configured to filter the air to inflate the inflatable device. The inflatable device configured to support a patient on a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kennedy, Ryan A. Alvarez, Gregory T. Davis, Brian J. Ecklund, Craig S. Golden, Curtis L. Hollabaugh
  • Patent number: 11458800
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicular seat capable of using an air supply fan having a relatively small capacity so that a thickness of the air supply fan does not become one of factors in determining a thickness of a seat in realizing the reduction of the thickness of the seat. A vehicular seat includes: an air supply fan; an air supply chamber which forms a passage for air supplied from the air supply fan; and a urethane pad which sandwiches the air supply chamber and has a plurality of portions in each of which a hole through which air supplied from the air supply chamber passes is formed. The air supply chamber is formed so as to cover in a planar surface shape a region of the urethane pad including the plurality of portions in each of which the hole is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Arata, Takao Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 11325441
    Abstract: The seat air conditioner configured to supply conditioning air to a seat in a vehicle cabin includes a refrigeration cycle, an air blower, and a conditioning air supply unit. The refrigeration cycle includes a compressor that compresses and discharges a refrigerant, a heat emitting portion that emits heat of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to generate a warm air, a decompressor that decompresses the refrigerant flowing out of the heat emitting portion, and a heat absorbing portion that evaporates the refrigerant decompressed by the decompressor to generate a cold air. The air blower blows air to exchange heat with the refrigerant. The conditioning air supply unit supplies each of the warm air generated by the heat emitting portion and the cold air generated by the heat absorbing portion as the conditioning air to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Kawano, Koji Ota, Aun Ota
  • Patent number: 11084404
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seating portion and a backrest portion coupled to the seating portion. The seat also includes a temperature-control system associated with at least one of the seating portion and the backrest portion. The temperature-control system includes a base layer and an intermediate layer disposed adjacent to the base layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to allow fluid to flow through it. The temperature-control system includes a cover layer disposed adjacent to the intermediate layer. The temperature-control system includes at least one heating element disposed between the intermediate layer and the cover layer. The temperature-control system further includes a fluid pump to provide fluid flow through the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurang Gupta, Wentao Wang, Adnan Esmail
  • Patent number: 11040642
    Abstract: A ventilation sheet is installed between a seat pad and a skin that form a seat of a vehicle. The ventilation sheet includes a ventilation sheet main body formed in a thin plate-shape including an air flow passage through which an air flow flows, a plurality of openings in communication with the air flow passage of the ventilation sheet main body, the plurality of openings formed to open at a surface of the ventilation sheet main body facing the skin, and a connection passage in communication with the air flow passage of the ventilation sheet main body and in communication with a pad hole provided in the seat pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hironobu Murakami
  • Patent number: 11034271
    Abstract: A ventilation mat according to the present invention is a ventilation mat including: a ventilation mat body including a plurality of tubes coupled to one another in a sheet shape; and a ventilation guide connected to a side surface of the ventilation mat body, in which the ventilation mat body includes: a ventilation part with a slit provided on a side of the plurality of tubes coming into contact with the skin cover so as to be extended across the plurality of tubes, the ventilation part being coupled, with a material of the tube, to a side of the plurality of tubes coming into contact with the sheet cushioning material; and an air flow mixing part that is provided closer to a connection part of the ventilation guide than the ventilation part is, and communicates between the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: KURABE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Miyano, Yuya Ota, Remuto Yamaguchi, Norishige Morishita
  • Patent number: 10960795
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one air distribution module (1) having at least one air distribution chamber which is open on the top side (4) opposite the carrier layer (6), and wherein the carrier layer (6) has at least one extension section (12) which projects beyond the part of the carrier layer that is not covered by the bottom side of the insert and can be used for mounting a fan, a fan housing or a fan bracket on the air distribution module (1), by at least surface parts of the extension section (12) surrounding at least partially the fan and/or a fan housing and/or the fan bracket. The extension section (12), or a respective tab (13) as part of the extension section (12), is provided with at least one adhesive layer (18) on its top and/or bottom side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: I.G. BAUERHIN GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bauer, Felix Henss, Saskia Bialek, Thorsten Schleucher, Jochen Michelmann
  • Patent number: 10632879
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat element successively including: a pad; a heating and/or cooling device including at least one heat and/or cold generation element and at least one heat and/or cold diffusion layer; and a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Anne Isabelle Dacosta-Mallet, Samuel Baudu
  • Patent number: 10543762
    Abstract: A vehicle seat air-blowing apparatus including an air blower including an impeller configured to generate air flow and an air blower opening configured to allow the air flow to flow in a ventilation passage of a seat pad of a vehicle seat, and a cover provided to the air blower opening and including a cover ventilation opening configured to allow the air flow to flow therethrough and a protection part configured to suppress application of a load to the air blower opening, wherein the vehicle seat air-blowing apparatus is configured to be attachable to the vehicle seat along the seat pad at a position where an opening of the ventilation passage provided in a rear surface of the seat pad and the cover ventilation opening of the cover face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Ui, Yuya Makino, Atsushi Tsuzaki, Hiroshi Murahata
  • Patent number: 10343565
    Abstract: A seat includes one or more cushions secured to a shell. The cushions include a 3D printed lattice of repeating cells. The cells may include nodes interconnected by branches. The nodes may be arranged in a cubic, parallelepiped, diamond, or other arrangement. The branches may extend directly between nodes or may be bent. The branches may extend from each node to an adjacent node that is closest to its point of attachment to the each node or the branches may be curved or bent to secure to a different adjacent node. The 3D printed lattice may include 3D printed barbs formed thereon that engage receptacles in the seat shell. The 3D printed lattice may be printed with a groove that engages a fastening structure on a cover or a separate fastening element. The cover may be a perforated sheet of material or fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hyung Min Baek, Daniel Boccuccia
  • Patent number: 10336224
    Abstract: A device for ventilating a vehicle seat having a cushion (12) which is resilient with respect to user contact and which is constructed to form a seat and/or back contact face (24) and which has an air flow channel (16, 17) which forms an air outlet (15) in the direction toward the seat or back contact face, an air-permeable covering unit (18) which is formed in order to at least partially cover the air outlet and which is preferably constructed so as to be rigid and/or grid-like, and a ventilator rotor (30) which is associated with the air flow channel and which is driven in an electro-motive manner and a ventilator unit (14) which has a ventilator housing (32) which at least partially radially surrounds the ventilator rotor, characterized in that the covering unit and the ventilator unit are fixed on or in the cushion with spacing from each other along the air flow channel and without direct connection of portions of the covering unit and the ventilator unit, and the ventilator housing has at the peripheral
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: EBM-Papst St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Kienzler, Andreas Kuhlmey, Gerhard Kuhnert, Jochen Wernet
  • Patent number: 10327979
    Abstract: A chair-type massage machine 100 has: a backrest portion 300 being capable of standing on a seat portion 200 and reclining against the seat portion 200; and at least one heater 850 disposed independently from a base portion 400 which is a lower part of the seat portion 200 through a cable 851.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Yoshida, Hironori Yasuda, Kentaro Ode
  • Patent number: 10322653
    Abstract: A vehicle seat fan apparatus includes a fan including an impeller and a fan opening, the fan being attached to a vehicle seat at a position where an opening of an air passage provided on a back surface of a seat pad faces the fan opening; and a seal member configured to be interposed between the opening of the air passage and the fan opening, and to form an airflow path that allows airflow to move between the opening of the air passage and the fan opening. A release path is provided in a connection portion where the seal member is connected to the opening of the air passage, so as to allow part of the airflow to move between an inside and an outside of the airflow path, and between an inside and an outside of the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuaki Takazaki, Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10252652
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seating surface, a fluid mover, and a fluid transfer member. The fluid transfer member includes a tube. The tube includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly coupled to the fluid mover, and the outlet is coupled to a holder that includes a resistive heater. The fluid mover and the resistive heater are selectively operable to convectively cool or heat the seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 10252645
    Abstract: The ventilated child car seat is a child safety seat with internal ductwork and vents. An external intake hose attaches to a vehicle air vent and directs the air from the vehicle environmental control system to the child seat. The internal ductwork and vents allow the heated or chilled air to circulate around the occupant of the child safety seat. Movable vent covers on the child safety seat allow the flow of air to be reduced or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Peterson, Jessica Peterson
  • Patent number: 10118520
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Craig, Zachary Abbott, Robert Case, Douglas Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10106062
    Abstract: In a motor-vehicle seat a padding body of a cushion and/or backrest has a passage for air coming from an air conditioning system of the motor-vehicle. This passage includes a closed cavity defined between a lowered surface formed in an outer surface of the padding body and the seat cover. At least part of the closed cavity is separated from the cover through a layer of a material substantially impervious to air, configured to exchange heat by thermal conduction, through the cover with a body of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Angelo Storgato, Giorgio Masoero
  • Patent number: 10076192
    Abstract: An air-circulating mat for a seating device is disclosed. At a lower end part of a bag-shaped body, an opening portion for mounting an air blower is formed. A spacer ensures an air path through which the air flows inside the bag-shaped body and is contained in the bag-shaped body. This spacer is made of plastic and includes a plurality of convex parts and a plurality of flexible connection portions with flexibility for connecting the adjacent convex parts. At an upper end part on the right side of the bag-shaped body is an air circulating portion for discharging the air flowing through the air path to the outside. A battery containing portion for containing a battery that supplies electric power to the air blower is provided so as to continue to a predetermined end portion of the spacer located on a back portion side of a user in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: SFT LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ichigaya
  • Patent number: 10029591
    Abstract: The ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat is placed between the seat of the vehicle and the person sitting on the seat. The ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat is formed with a foraminous surface. Air flow generated from the vehicle ventilation system is diverted into the ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat and flows through the foraminous surface on to the person sitting in the vehicle seat. The ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat comprises one or more cushions and one or more vent attachments. Each of the one or more vent attachment attaches an individual cushion selected from the one or more cushions to the ventilation system of the vehicle such that air flows from the ventilation system into the selected individual cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Sergio Paez
  • Patent number: 10005337
    Abstract: A climate control device includes a first and a second thermal module. The first module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a first portion of a seat. The second module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a second portion of the seat. A control system is provided for controlling the climate control device. The control system includes an input device for providing a set point for the system. A first control unit of the control system is provided for the first thermal module and a second control unit is provided for the second thermal module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Dusko Petrovski
  • Patent number: 9993086
    Abstract: A cushion and method provide relief of pain or discomfort in the pelvic/genital/rectal region of a person. The person is supported on a resilient cushion construct which conforms to the person's posterior profile contour configuration, while locating a plenum-like portion of a gap beneath the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person. An airway is extended to the gap, through a basal construct located beneath the cushion construct and an air mover moves ambient air through the airway and into the plenum-like portion of the gap to provide cooling to the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person supported on the cushion construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Glenn W. Harte
  • Patent number: 9676246
    Abstract: An air-delivery system, for use in a vehicle. The system includes a backrest of a vehicle seat assembly and an air-delivery port connected to or integral to the backrest. The system also includes an input conduit connected to the air-delivery port for delivering air received from an air source to the air-delivery port. The air-delivery port is configured and arranged in the backrest facing a generally aft direction to, during operation of the system, deliver air received from the air source aftward from the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Huey Chen, Taeyoung Han, Bahram Khalighi, Shailendra Kaushik
  • Patent number: 9549617
    Abstract: A seat back or chair cooling apparatus that cools the back of a user without the need of forced air. The cooling apparatus includes a pocket having an open end and three closed or closable sides. At least one gel pack embodiment is configured to be inserted into the pocket open end. An adjustable belt, housed in a belt pocket and attached to the pocket sides, is deployed to affix the back cooler assembly to a chair back. Hook straps and hooks provide additional attachment points to secure the back cooler assembly to a chair back, and these straps and hooks have separate hook strap and hook storage pockets within the cooling pocket. The cooling pocket can include polyester, fabric or olefin materials, and can also include a mesh backside. Embodiments of the pocket closures in the portable seat or chair back cooler include metal-magnetic button fasteners, button and button-hole fasteners, or Velcro™ hook and loop fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: AXIS Sourcing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Alisha Haskell Deluca
  • Patent number: 9421893
    Abstract: A vehicle heating apparatus (100A) of the present disclosure is a heating apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle seat (11) at a position below a sitting portion (S) of the vehicle seat (11). The vehicle heating apparatus (100A) includes: a housing (10) having an intake port (2), a blowing port (3), and an internal space (4) serving as a flow path of air from the intake port (2) to the blowing port (3); a fan (6) provided in the internal space (4); a heater (7) provided in the internal space (4); and a mounting structure (8) adapted to mount the housing (10) to the vehicle seat (11) in such a manner that the housing (10) is movable in a width direction of the vehicle seat (11). Therefore, the vehicle heating apparatus (100A) of the present disclosure is highly convenient for occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Ise, Yoshiaki Kurosawa, Atsunori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9366461
    Abstract: A climate control system and method controls climate at selected regions within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. The system includes at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a liquid to flow in the at least one fluid conduit. The system further includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. At least two thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies are in thermal communication with the liquid and each of the at least two thermoelectric assemblies has a corresponding region within the passenger compartment. The at least two thermoelectric assemblies are selectively operable to transfer heat between the corresponding region and the liquid, wherein the at least two thermoelectric assemblies are each operable independently from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
  • Patent number: 9310112
    Abstract: A thermoelectric system and method provides distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements, and each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with a first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly. Each thermoelectric assembly is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid. Each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
  • Patent number: 9108486
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to vehicle based climate regulation systems. Specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus for extending and directing the flow of air-conditioning or heat within a vehicle by way of providing a connector and a detachable extension operable with a preexisting vehicle climate regulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Mikel Paquin
  • Patent number: 9055820
    Abstract: An air manifold includes a sheet-like body including first and second spaced, opposing walls and a sealed perimeter. A plurality of divider walls connects the first and second walls together and defines a plurality of air channels within the body. An opening in the body defines an air port cooperable with an air mover. The air port is in fluid communication with the air channels. At least one zone inside the body is free of the divider walls. A group of the air channels are in fluid communication with each other through one the zone. A plurality of air vents located in the first wall are in fluid communication with at least one of the air channels. The air manifold is disposable between a seat cushion element and a structural support of a seat. The first wall of the air manifold faces a backside surface of the seat cushion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: IGB Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Dmitri Axakov, Raghvendra Joshi
  • Publication number: 20150137566
    Abstract: A collapsible chair has a frame selectively moveable between a collapsed configuration of the chair and an extended configuration of the chair, and a seat that is coupled to the frame. The seat has a first material layer and a second material layer wherein the first layer and the second layer cooperatively define a seat pocket. A seat pad is selectively moveable between a stored configuration wherein the seat pad is located in the seat pocket and a portable configuration inside the seat membrane pocket and a portable configuration, wherein the seat pad is removed from the seat pocket and usable as a portable seat pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Matt Wagner, Scott Neilson
  • Publication number: 20150091339
    Abstract: A liner for a car seat, stroller seat or other similar seat for a child can have cool water circulating therethrough to help keep the child cool. The liner includes a tube disposed throughout the liner that is interconnected to a cooling chamber. A pump, typically disposed in the cooling chamber, can be used to circulate the cool fluid through the tube in the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Chris Richard Bomhard
  • Patent number: 8979191
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pad of a seat cushion and/or of a backrest, a massage device having a plurality of pressurizable elements integrated into the pad in order to influence the contour of the seat and each of which can be controlled separately, and a control device for controlling the massage device, wherein, in addition to the massage device, a seat climate control system can also be controlled by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Sven Friderich, Gerhard Hauser, Werner Schiele, Gudrun Weiser, Ulrich Woerner
  • Patent number: 8888573
    Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Syed Iqbal, Dmitri Axakov, Matthew Zuzga
  • Patent number: 8870281
    Abstract: A portable chair with heat exchange pockets including a pair of pockets disposed on the rear side of the chair back section, each of the pair of pockets having an insulated layer disposed in an interior cavity lining a rear wall, a bottom wall, a left wall and a right wall; and an impermeable layer conductive to heat disposed parallel the rear wall on the chair back section, through which impermeable layer heat exchange is enabled between a person sitting in the chair and a plurality of extant ice packs or heating packs as preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony A. Boone
  • Patent number: 8864221
    Abstract: A folding massage chair that includes a chair with attached front and rear support frames. The chair includes a seat portion and a backing portion, and also includes a massage and heating pad that is placed over the seat portion and a backing portion. The massage and heating pad includes a number of heating units and heating coils, along with a number of vibrator units. The chair also includes a cup holder and a music player holder, along with a foot rest attached to the front support frame. The chair also has a canopy that is attached to the backing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Antonio J. Delvilla
  • Patent number: 8814262
    Abstract: A vehicle seat heater, which is to be fitted to a vehicle seat, includes a base sheet and a heater wire laid in the base sheet. The heater wire is laid in the base sheet so as not to orthogonally intersect its predicted wrinkle lines R. As a result, disconnections of the heater wire caused by repeated deformations of the vehicle seat heater can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Abe, Yoshimitsu Fujiwara, Kazuaki Hioki, Masanori Nishikawa, Kazumi Nagayama
  • Publication number: 20140008945
    Abstract: The Cool Seat is a stadium seat cushion that uses frozen gel packs enclosed in insulation and a waterproof cover to keep a person cool in extremely hot weather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Donald G. Widmann
  • Patent number: 8556337
    Abstract: A removable thermal cooling/heating seat/backrest cover has a generally rectangular rear panel formed of flexible water-resistant material, and a front panel including at least one large generally rectangular thermally insulated pocket having an outer side wall formed of a flexible sheet of water and mildew resistant material with an inner side wall formed of shiny reflective metalized foil laminated to closed cell polyethylene foam, the foil facing the interior of the pocket, and the foam facing the rear panel. The cover is removably mounted on the backrest and/or seat of a seating structure by mounting straps. The thermally insulated pocket holds a freezable or microwaveable gel pack for providing cooling or heating comfort to a user. The foil forms a reflective thermal barrier that radiates cold or hot temperatures toward the outer side wall and the foam facilitates maintaining the gel pack at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Tammy L. Cornitius-Cary
  • Patent number: 8465093
    Abstract: An automotive seat cover is provided which allows a person to change the appearance of the seat cover without removing the seat cover from the seat. The seat cover includes panels which are removably attachable to the seat cover to alter the functionality or the visual appearance of the seat cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Janowski
  • Patent number: 8439437
    Abstract: A seat with a heating device is provided which realizes a configuration in which the arm, palms and finger tips of a user can easily be warmed when the user uses the seat with the heating device. When the user is seated in a seat with a heating device and feels cold due to it being winter, the user controls a switch to heat the seat, whereby energization of heating elements 3a, 3b, 3c is started which are connected to a power supply via electric wires. When the energization of the heating elements 3a, 3b, 3c is started, heat generated thereby is conducted to skin materials 2a, 2b, 2c and surfaces of the skin materials are warmed. When the user places his or her arm on an armrest portion 5, the arm is warmed via the skin material 2c, whereby the user can feel the sensation of comfortableness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naruaki Akai, Norio Abe, Naohito Asami, Kazuaki Hioki, Koji Yoshimoto, Kazumi Nagayama, Yoshimitsu Fujiwara, Satoshi Arima, Hideaki Konishi, Hiroyuki Ogino, Ryuta Kondou
  • Patent number: 8297695
    Abstract: A cooling system which having a body section which includes a flexible material; at least two mist dispensing fans connected to the body section; and control circuitry having at least a first switch controlling fan speed and a second switch controlling mist dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Breezzangel, LLC
    Inventors: Tonia Dandry Aiken, Charles W. Lanusse, Tina Dandry Mayes, Shirley Jumonville Dandry, Alexes Elizabeth Aiken, Brett Johnanthony Aiken
  • Patent number: 8276986
    Abstract: A seat pad that is injection molded out of plastic with various combinations of holes and pathways that promote air flow to ventilate and prevent the build-up of perspiration on a person's back, upper legs, and rear end as they sit on it for an extended period of time. The seat pad also has multiple beads that provide acupuncture-type pressure for relaxation and comfort of the person. The design of the seat pad is such that it provides some flexibility for cushioning effect and some rigidity so that it is not collapsed or crushed under the weight of the person sitting on it for an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Nahyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120104807
    Abstract: A portable, detachable headrest for easy attachment to a soft back or fully padded chair without a need for exposed framework. When the back of the chair is received between a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw of the headrest, the moveable jaw firmly compresses the back of the chair between the moveable jaw and the fixed jaw, mounting the headrest stably to the back of the chair. The headrest is adjustable in a vertical direction and an anterior and posterior direction, such that the user's shoulders and/or back have contact with the chair back in which the headrest is connected to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Lance Lauchle, Fenton O'Shea
  • Patent number: 8167367
    Abstract: The seat cover with adjustable cushion apparatus provides for removable fit to a variety of seats. Various sizes and dimensions of the apparatus are provided so that a plurality of seat types and sizes are properly fitted. The apparatus provides a multitude of features and conveniences including seat heating and back massage. The memory hinge importantly provides a user with headrest cushion adjustability whereby the headrest cushion shape is altered and retained thusly until changed again by a user. A user's head can be supported rearwardly and to both sides as tightly or as loosely as a user wishes. The seat back provides for storage of personal items such as cell phone and pencils and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Henry Martinez
  • Patent number: 8136874
    Abstract: A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Milton Jose Negrini, Gregory A. Major, William R. Hill, Pega Hrnjak
  • Patent number: 8123290
    Abstract: A cooling system which having a body section which includes a flexible material; at least two mist dispensing fans connected to the body section; and control circuitry having at least a first switch controlling fan speed and a second switch controlling mist dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: BreezzAngel, LLC
    Inventors: Tonia Dandry Aiken, Charles W. Lanusse, Tina Dandry Mayes, Shirley Jumonville Dandry, Alexes Elizabeth Aiken, Brett Johnanthony Aiken
  • Patent number: 8083575
    Abstract: A ventilation system is provided in an automobile by forming an intake opening in the top of the seats in the automobile. A telescopic pipe is located in the cushion of the seat with its top end mounted to the intake opening and its lower end mounted to an outlet port at the underside of the seat. An ammonia sensor and a air drawing fan is mounted in the telescopic pipe. The air drawing fan is actuated by the ammonia sensor with the control of a seat fan module when the ammonia sensor detects body waste odor air expelled by a passenger sitting in the seat. Exhaust ducts are provided for conducting the odor air out of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Hong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8049520
    Abstract: A system for capacitive detection of seat occupancy in a vehicle comprises a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode arranged in substantially parallel layers. A spacer is arranged between the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at a certain distance from each other. The spacer comprises an inner textile layer and at least one of the electrodes comprises a film-based electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventor: Thomas Schleeh
  • Publication number: 20110248532
    Abstract: A temperature controlling seat cover with a first flexible mesh fabric layer, an open cell flexible foam layer, a second flexible mesh fabric layer and a flexible binding strip. The open cell foam layer resides between the first mesh layer and the second mesh layer. The binding strip is sewn along the perimeter of the fabric layers. The resulting fabric and foam assembly forms a leg, buttock and back supporting mat whose perimeter is contoured to fit onto a standard baby seat. The mesh and foam construction allows for the passage of surrounding air to travel through the seat cover and to reach the back and leg portions of a person sitting in a seat that is covered by the seat cover. The seat cover is easily attachable or removable from a standard seat. A preferred embodiment includes a pocket containing a cooling or warming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Chung B. Kim, Meinoh Kim, Meinyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8011727
    Abstract: The thermal child seat blanket apparatus provides snug, removable fit to an exiting child seat. The choice of battery power or power via the cigar plug of an auto yields widespread user choices. After setting the initially desired temperature of the heating elements, the temperature is easily moved up or down via the touch control temperature increase and temperature decrease. The seat cover can be used with or without the blanket. While the apparatus is ideally suited for fit to a portable child seat, it may nonetheless by used in any desired application to warm and shelter a child, whether in or out of a seat. The flexible seat cover, blanket, and collapsible accordion shield provide compact portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Yesenia C. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20110133524
    Abstract: A backrest structure including a pad and a back clip, the back clip has a connecting part and a fixing portion to be held on a lazy back of a chair, when the pad is placed on the chair, the fixing portion can be inserted in a seam of the chair or can be clung on the upper area of the rear side of the chair lazy back, so that an effect of having the pad fixed on the chair can be attained; moreover, the relative position of the pad to the back clip can be adjusted; the pad is provided therein with a heat emitting element, a heat sinking element or an air bag, in order to adjust the temperature of the pad or the thickness of the pad for supporting a user, so that the pad can have multiple functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Nitring Enterprise Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Chuan Cheng