Abstract:
An improved seat pad and integrated gripping member is provided, which prevents the pad from slipping when placed between a seating surface and individual. The gripping member is permanently attached to the seat pad along its edge and covers a portion of either side of the seating surface. The gripping member is reversible therefore either side of the seat pad may be selectively exposed during use. This allows both seat pad sides to be constructed of different materials, colors, or patterns and be interchangeable when desired by the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to seat pads, and more particularly to seat pad assemblies that are constructed of a cushion, a non slip member and providing a multi functional, decorative, protective cover assembly for an individual to sit comfortably and securely on an adjoining surface or structure.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Many pads exist in the market today that have various shapes, sizes and fashion designs. Seat pads are sold in the market constructed mostly of a fabric like material, and it is not uncommon to find these materials made of synthetic, natural fibers or other man made materials. Filler materials such as foam or other like materials are used to create cushioning comfort in the pad. Pads are typically constructed to provide the same cushioning comfort when the pad is rotated from one side to the other. Chair pads, seat pads, decorative pillows and cushions (hereafter “pads”) are examples of articles that may be placed over a smooth surface and are intended to remain in a stationary position during use. Pads are manufactured for use in boating, vehicles and as home furnishings. These items are typically fastened to chairs, boats and the interior of vehicles using various fastening devices such as ties, hooks and clips that can be cumbersome to attach or secure to the adjoining structure. Furthermore, these types of fastening devices do not adequately secure the items they are attached to and may become prematurely worn or lost. Many materials found in the market today offer a means to reduce the movement between a pad and the seating surfaces. For example, a chair pad may include a rubber or plastic surface area with a high coefficient of friction on its bottom portion. This material may be utilized as a separate component that offers a non-slip surface between the seating pad and the mating surface. Unfortunately, when the non-slip materials are not attached to the seat pads they often become lost during shipping or storage, or have an inconvenience of additional handling during assembly and use. It also should be noted that compact, portable designs are also beneficial to consumers providing user friendly, no assembly, and multifunctional marketable features for consumers.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     Seat pads and cushions found in the market today have a variety of patterns and decorative designs. Seat pads and chair cushions are fashion driven and functional to specific products or structures that may require soft or elevated seating surfaces. Numerous features such as washable, non slip, easy to attach fasteners, and comfort features are required by today&#39;s consumer.  
         [0004]     Seat pads and cushions are available with gripping surfaces to prevent them from sliding over smooth surfaces. Pads are also sometimes reversible with two sided decorative designs that may be interchanged when desired. The desired side is positioned face up with the gripping component or surface between the smooth surface (e.g. chair seat) and the bottom facing pad surface. The gripping component or surfaces may be provided as separate items or fixedly attached to one side of the pad or cushion. Gripping surfaces can be provided as separate components that are glued or stuck to the pad or seating surface. These types of non-attached gripping surfaces could become a safety hazard due to the likelihood of separation from the pad. Other pads on the market today provide a removable cover with a one sided fabric layer, a foam insert, and a rubber mesh layer fixed by a bias on the opposite side of the fabric, functional only on one side to prevent slipping. Products can be found in the automotive or consumer products market, where a rubberized material is used to stop slippage of a small child&#39;s car seat, or booster. These designs folded with a fabric backing may be reversible but not stable without additional fasteners or fixtures to prevent shifting or rotating movement when weight is applied. Some pads provide one sided gripping surfaces and others provide two sided decorative patterns. It has been noted that there are seat covers in the market, more specifically in the automotive market, that have a seat back, fabric like decorative design and second component, a lower seating portion of rubberized material. The seat cover can be folded at a mid plane to provide a means to overlay the fabric portion, but the overlay of two layers do not provide a means to resist slippage between the two layers, and are often big and bulky to store and to handle. Some pads found constructed of polyvinyl chloride material may offer some slip resistance, but not always adequate in gripping mating surfaces, limiting in material selection. The U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,212,717 and 5,896,603 disclose chair cushions and place mats formed of a top fabric panel attached to a bottom panel that has a high coefficient of friction. The bottom panel is preferably a rubberized web material with an open or mesh pattern. The rubberized material prevents the chair cushion or place mat from sliding over smooth surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,032 discloses a cushion having a lower layer that also has a high coefficient of friction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,852 shows another chair pad or cushion also having a lower panel with a high coefficient of friction. The U.S. Design Pat. No. 360,794 illustrates a combined child cushion and rubber grip pad unit. A disadvantage of the above chair cushions with permanently attached gripping surfaces is that only one side of the cushion can be exposed during use. If the exposed side becomes irreparably damaged or stained, then it may require replacement because the cushion cannot be reversed. Published patent application No. 20050146177, dated 7 Jul. 2005, to Peter Jerome, discloses a seat cushion with an integral gripping member that prevents the cushion from sliding during use. The gripping member attaches to the cushion by a connecting strap which allows the gripping member to be selectively placed in contact with either panel of the cushion. The gripping member is detachable and is not formed as a reversible permanently attached part of the cushion. If the gripping member was permanently attached the chair pad would be somewhat bulky and cumbersome to handle, and it also should be noted the seat pad and gripping member may not provide sufficient gripping support if twisting or torque is applied to the seating surface, having only one side or panel attached to the gripping member. One disadvantage of the above disclosed seat cushion is the seat pad and gripping surface are not securely attached to prevent movement between the pad and seating surface and does not offer an economical means to fabricate the seat pad.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In accordance with the present invention, an integrated seat pad assembly is provided. The assembly includes an affixed gripping member that forms a pocket and prevents the pad from sliding during use. The gripping member is secured along its edge to the seat pad forming a pocket thereon. The gripping member is rotatably reversible, and attached to the seat pad assembly held in close proximity of either side of the seat pad surface area allowing for alternative sides of the seat pad to be selectively chosen, thereby exposing alternative sides for cleanliness, variations in materials or fashion designs.  
         [0006]     The seat pad construction ensures that movement is substantially eliminated between the gripping member and seating surface when weight is applied to the pad seating surface. The pad offers an improved, secure, means providing a non slip seating surface without the use of strings, ties or other fastening means. The construction of the multi-use pad is manufactured at a low cost minimizing the expense of materials, separate fasteners and attaching mechanisms.  
         [0007]     The pad gripping component is resiliently reversible, and fixedly attached to at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the pad assembly and preferably at least two sides or points between the top and bottom surfaces of the seat pad assembly. The pad gripping component may also be fixedly attached to at least a portion of three sides of the approximate midsection of the side panel in a square or rectangular shape body. The gripping component securely fastened to a portion about the perimeter of the pad assembly forms a pocket on at least one panel of the seat pad assembly offering an added feature of a convenient storage. For cost savings in manufacturing, the seat pad uses only a portion of the gripping component anti-slip material as compared to the prior art. The pad gripping component can be selectively placed to secure the seat pad from movement, at a minimum approximately one quarter to one half of the surface pad area that contacts the seating surface or structure.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment of the invention, the seat pad can be made of fabric, plastics or like materials. The pad may include foam, natural fibers, or other like filler materials. The pad may contain a foam or like filler material with a series of holes for air cushioning thereby reducing the amount of foam material used. In some cases the reduction of filler material may be up to or more than fifty percent. A thin sheet of resilient film like material can be adhered or laminated to at least one side of the perforated foam or like filler material, providing a different cushion comfort when the chair pad is rotated one side to the other, providing a firm to soft feel.  
         [0009]     Yet another embodiment of the invention, a seat pad assembly includes an inflatable bladder assembly to vary the height of the seat pad to accommodate different users. The inflatable bladder may consist of a semi-rigid sheet of plastic material, a spring like member, an airtight sealed bladder or bag with a valve to allow air into the bladder providing various heights with a desired volume of air entering the bladder, or various adjustments in comfort level as desired by the consumer. The spring member may also assist in improving the rate of filling the bladder with air when the valve is open, to accommodate variations in desired height or comfort.  
         [0010]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seat pad with an integrated anti-slip material permanently affixed thereto, the anti-slip material covering a portion of a side of the pad, the seat pad adaptable in shape and size to accommodate various dimensioned seating surfaces.  
         [0011]     It is a further object to provide a seat pad that is portable, economical to manufacture, with added value. The seat pad having an anti-slip material that is reversible to either side of the pad&#39;s opposing seating surface, the reversible anti-slip material allowing exposure of either side of the seat pad with a functional gripping feature.  
         [0012]     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a seat pad with a convenient storage pouch, the storage pouch formed from a pivotably, reversible anti-slip material construction.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a seat pad having different cushioning comfort levels, the levels of cushioning selectable by rotating the seat pad into a different position.  
         [0014]     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a seat pad having an anti-slip material that is coupled with a cache of stacked disposable liners to maintain cleanliness of the seat pad surface; they may include decorative designs or like materials.  
         [0015]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable seat pad having an optional anti-slip material, and that can be rotatably reversible to either the front or bottom surface of the pad and also provide a thermally insulated component within the pad to improve thermal effects between the body and seating surface.  
         [0016]     The present invention is not however limited hereto. Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the inventions and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings in which the details of the invention are disclosed as part of this specification. These and other advantages of the invention along with the invention itself shall be fully understood after review of the following figures, detailed description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of one embodiment of the seat pad assembly.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the seat pad assembly in  FIG. 1  showing the construction and anti-slip material.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3   a  is an exploded assembly view of the inner components of another embodiment including a cushion, resilient thin sheet and adhesive bond material.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 3   a  illustrating structural aspects of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3   c  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the seat pad&#39;s inflatable bladder assembly components.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the seat pad assembly illustrating the anti-slip material.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top view of one embodiment of the seat pad assembly with optional disposable liner.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a rear end view of one embodiment of the seat pad assembly.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the seat pad assembly illustrating the pocket formed by the non-slip gripping member.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  are bottom perspective views of the seat pad assembly illustrating alternative structural designs of non slip gripping members.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9   a  is a perspective view of the subject invention circular dimensioned for use on a stool.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9   b  is a perspective view of the subject invention rectangular dimensioned with an integral gripping member at either or both ends.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is an exploded assembly view of one embodiment of the seat pad with a reflective foil component and visual indicator. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]     While the invention described is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, they are shown in the drawing, specification and herein described in the detailed specific embodiments and is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. Referring to  FIG. 1  the seat pad  1  of the present invention is constructed of a first upper panel  10 , and a second lower panel  15  comprising a semi-rigid or resilient fabric like material. The first upper panel  10 , and second lower panel  15  may provide different materials, colors, textures or a design that may be provided by other conventional methods. A third side panel component  20  is provided between the first upper panel  10 , and second lower panel  15  to be attached at least a portion of the outer perimeter of upper panel  10 , and lower panel  15 . The third side panel  20  may be fixedly attached to the upper panel  10 , and lower panel  15 , to at least a portion of the outer periphery to form a three dimensional shape. An optional alternative fourth side panel component  25 , may be fixedly attached to the third side panel  20 , and separatively divided about the midsection and having the top outer edge fixedly attached to the edge of the first upper panel  10 , and the lower opposing edge attached to the edge of the second lower panel  15 , and to receive a third anti-slip gripping component  30  fixedly attached around the midsection of the third or fourth said side panel component  20 , and  25  of the said seat pad assembly.  
         [0031]     A filler opening  35  located between the upper panel  10 , and lower panel  15 , to load and unload the seat pad  1 , with filler material. The filler opening  35  may be secured by a mechanical fastening means for loading and unloading the filler material or otherwise permanently fastened. The seat pad  1  can be constructed in various shapes and sizes to accommodate a stool, chair, or bench type seat. The seat pad  1  material can be made from fabric like materials such as woven, non-woven, flax, wool, cotton, polycotton, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, olefins, and rubber or other synthetic and non-synthetic materials or combination thereof. The seat pad  1 , comprising an anti-slip component  30  securely fastened between the upper panel  10  and lower panel  15  in close proximity at two points, having the ability to pivotably rotate about a portion of the midsection of panel  20 , providing a secure rotatable, reversible means. However it is understood that; panels may be combined or may vary in size, shape and length to accommodate various designs and manufacturing methods without deviating from the scope of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the seat pad  1 , shown in perspective exploded view, in one embodiment having an upper panel  10 , and a lower panel  15  fixedly connected by a third side panel component  20 , and an optional fourth side panel component  25 , split somewhere about the midsection  26  to attach an anti-slip gripping component  30  having the ability to be reversible and rotatable about the width of the seat pad  1 . The fourth side panel  25  may be eliminated to reduce cost in the assembly by using the third side panel  20  to securely attach the upper panel  10 , and lower panel  15  having the anti-slip gripping component  30  fixedly attached somewhere about the midsection of the width of the said third side panel  20 . A filler material  40 , made of synthetic or non synthetic materials not limited to but including, recycled paper, polyurethane foam, polyester fiber, tempurpedic foam (heat sensitive foam) or a combination of polyurethane and tempurpedic foam (heat sensitive foam).  
         [0032]     The seat pad  1  assembly can be constructed by stitching, mechanical fastening, radio frequency or heat welding. The seat pad  1 , and upper panel  10 , and lower panel  15 , may comprise of a non woven backing material, and or reflective foil material, improving the material properties and providing added benefits to the seat pad  1 , and reducing effects of radiant heat, enabling the user to stay cool, or retain heat inside their body when sitting on the pad in adverse temperature conditions. Aluminum reflective foil reflects radiant heat and therefore minimizes the temperature effects on the pad. In addition to stabilizing internal temperatures of the seat pad, the reflective foil radiates heat back to the human body to minimize heat loss when in use. Other common materials can be used to fill the volumetric three-dimensional structure. Alternative phase change materials may be utilized as a filler material to stabilize the temperature of the seat pad and minimize adverse effects of various temperature conditions.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 3   a , another variation of a cushioned filler material  41  is shown with a series of thru-holes  42  passing through the body of the cushioned filler material  41  that provide a means to reduce the filler material&#39;s volume of material and provide a desired firmness when a thin airtight member  43  made of film or fabric like material and affixed by adhesive  44  to trap air in the holes  42  of the cushion filler material  41  providing an enhanced cushion effect. When the seat pad assembly  1  of  FIG. 1  is rotated, the opposite effect is present, where the filler material  41  offers a less dense comfortable seat pad allowing the air to evacuate from the seat pad. When utilizing the filler material  41 , the seat pad  1  may be selectively rotated 180° degrees so that the holes  42  are in close proximity to an individual seated. By selectively rotating the seat pad, the user can change the firmness or cushioning effect of the seat pad cushion. A visual indicator or graphics may be applied to the seat pad to indicate firmness, or other effects when rotated to the desired position.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 3   b , cushioned filler material  41 , as shown in a side view with a series of holes  42  exposed upwardly away from the seating surface, where the filler material  41  is coupled to a thin member  43  with bonding adhesive  44 . The effects may be variable with changes in the respective size or diameter of the holes  42 , and also provide additional benefits minimizing materials for cost effective construction of seat pads.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 3   c , bladder  46 , containing a resilient filler material  47 , including a series of holes  49 , airtight semi-rigid member  50 , with perforated holes  51 . The bladder  46 , having a valve  53 , and orifice  54 , that enables the bladder  46  to receive air when the valve  53  is open. The spring  52  assists the bladder  46  to increase in size to the maximum height, with maximum air capacity. The valve  53  can remain open to exhaust air from the bladder, and upon closing the valve  53 , the seat pad will remain at the desired height with the bladder holding a constant volume of air.  
         [0036]     The materials for construction may be desirable as a resilient air sealable sheet film or fabric like material. The bladder  46  may be fabricated of resilient PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polymers, thermoplastic elastomer, urethanes, polyester, or other like films. The airtight semi-rigid member  48  and semi-rigid member  50  can be fabricated from plastic, film extrusions, using radio frequency welding, heat sealing or alike.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 4  seat pad shown in a bottom view, having an anti-slip material  61  closely held to the surface of the lower panel  62  covering less than sixty percent of the seating surface area minimizing the cost of materials, and providing sufficient anti-slip material surface area contact to securely position a pad on a seating surface. The pad  60  may be fabricated in various shapes and sizes.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 5  seat pad  60  shown in a top view, having a top surface area defined by the upper panel  63  that may provide an alternative design or material than the lower panel  62  as shown in  FIG. 4 , is constructed with an anti-slip material  61  that partially covers the lower panel  62 , and part of the side wall panels  64  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The seat pad  60  may comprise of various shapes, sizes and patterns to accommodate the consumer, fashion and market demands. The anti-slip material  61  preferably should be of a high coefficient of static friction, made of rubber mesh like material, latex, rubber or alike. An optional liner material  68  can be coupled to the seat pad  60  on the surface that may come in contact with the user or opposing surfaces as desired. The liner material  68  may comprise of an individual sheet or stacked layer of disposable liners.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 6 a  rear side view of the seat pad  60 , having an upper panel  63 , gripping member  61 , and side panel  64 , where the side panel  64  is coupled to the gripping member  61 . The gripping member  61  is fixedly attached to a portion of the outside perimeter of the seat pad  60 , and may include a filler opening  65  to insert the filler material into the three dimension structure and can be permanently closed or selectively fastened by means of a zipper, thread, hook and loop, or other mechanical means. The filler opening  65  is not limited to the mentioned side panel and various configurations may require different fill methods. The methods and various configurations shall be noted but not limiting the scope of the said invention.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 7  another preferred embodiment of the said invention, seat pad  70  shown in a perspective top view, illustrates a non-slip member  71  fixedly attached to approximately the midsection  75  of side panel  74 . The non slip member  71 , defined by a portion of the shape of the seat pad  70 , is fixedly attached on three sides held in close proximity to the lower panel  73  surface area, where the space between the non slip member  71 , and the lower panel  73  define a pocket  72  that has the capacity to store articles within the seat pad  70  assembly. Small articles such as papers, photos, magazines and alike can be stored within the assembly and conveniently removed and inserted without the need for other storage devices. The need for a pocket or pouch is more commonly used in travel, outdoor events, or sports and alike games.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  the seat pad cushion  80  is shown as an assembly, the assembly main components comprising of a lower panel  83 , a gripping member  81 , on  FIG. 8   a , and another embodiment shown of the gripping member  85  on  FIG. 8   b . The anti-slip material used on gripping members  81  and  85  are shown with a reduction in material weight for lowering the manufacturing cost of the seat pad  80 . The gripping member  85  as shown in  FIG. 8   b  can also be utilized as a handle to enable the consumer to carry the seat pad  80 , or securely hold onto in the event of an emergency. The seat pad  80 , and the gripping member  85 , are constructed for use as one component, with a resilient means to turn or flip the gripping member  85  around the seat pad  80  for multi-use purposes.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 9   a  illustrates an alternative design within the scope of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 9   a  a perspective view of seat pad  90 , in use on a stool  91 , where the gripping member  93  is in contact with the stool seating surface  92  allowing the consumer to sit securely on the upper panel  94  surface area resisting movement. The stool  91 , and support leg(s)  95 , provide an unstable surface for chair pads and cushions. The need for a non-slip seat pad with minimum parts and no assembly is desired.  
         [0043]     As illustrated in  FIG. 9   b  a seat pad  96 , is shown in perspective view on a bench seat  100 . The bench seat  100  comes in contact with the seat pad  96 , and two areas are disclosed showing the anti-slip gripping members  97  and  98 , respectively. The prior descriptions and embodiments are shown within the scope of the invention for a bench seat design. The bench seat design may offer one side of the upper panel  99  being water resistant and the opposite side having a different texture or fabric design or like materials and combinations thereof. The bench seat  100 , and seat pad  96  with anti-slip gripping members  97  at one end and  98  at the other end illustrate how one embodiment may be expanded in use within another application within the scope of the invention disclosed.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an exploded assembly view of one embodiment is shown seat pad  110 , having a first panel  111  comprising a material fabric, reflective foil or alike, a second panel  113  fixedly attached to at least a portion of the said first panel  111 , a third panel  115  fixedly attached to a second panel  113  or subsequent sub assembly to the first said panel  111  to form a three dimensional shape. The three dimensional shape includes a filler material  114 , and also may include an anti-slip gripping member  116  fixedly attached between the said first panel  111 , and the said third panel  115 , where the gripping member  116 , is pivotably rotatable around the width of the seat pad  110 , to selectively use either side of the seat pad  110  for various features. A visual indicator  112  may be used to indicate a feature or provide instructions for use or even provide temperature indicia for the consumer in various temperature environments.  
         [0045]     It should be understood that the proceeding is merely a detailed description of one embodiment of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiment can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.