Patent ID: 6511125
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
A ventilated seat pad apparatus for supporting an occupant thereon, the seat pad apparatus comprising a plurality of stacked fabric layers including:a flexible first layer having a plurality of openings to pass ventilating air therethrough; a second layer formed of an air permeable cushioning material; a flexible third foam layer having a selected hole pattern for directing air toward the second layer for distribution toward the first layer, the third foam layer having an air impermeable backing with a selected hole pattern aligned with the selected hole pattern in the flexible third foam layer; a fourth layer having a top layer, spacing webs, and a bottom layer of an air permeable spacer material forming an air chamber therebetween, the fourth layer including a spacer fabric that supports an occupant, the spacer fabric including stiff non-metal spacing webs secured between the top and bottom layers so as to be deformable by the weight of the user whereby the fourth layer maintains an air chamber beneath the third layer, the top and bottom layers of the spacer fabric being formed of a honeycomb pattern to pass air toward the hole pattern of the third layer; a fifth layer formed of an air impermeable material that prevents the escape of air, the fifth layer further having a felt backing on the outer surface of the air impermeable material; the cushioning material of the second layer partially restricting the passage of air through the hole pattern of the third layer depending upon the weight and location of a user sitting on the seat pad; and means for directing ventilating air to the air chamber and then through the selected hole pattern of the third layer and through the openings in the first layer to provide comfort to the occupant.