Abstract:
The present disclosure provides for a protective, anti-microbial armchair pad. The present invention is intended to maintain a substantially clean environment on the arm of an armchair as well as regulate the temperature of said armchair arm. Generally, the present invention comprises a pad covered with material, wherein said material is coated with some sort of anti-microbial agent, preferably the bisphenol 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol. Further, the present invention is comprised of straps equipped with some sort of attachment mechanism.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a United States utility application that claims no priority to any previous patent or patent application. 
       FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0002]    This invention relates to protective anti-microbial arm chair pads. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that maintains a cool, substantially clean area on the arm of an armchair. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    Armchairs are pervasive throughout our society and can be found in wildly disparate places; from hospitals, to backyard barbeques, to board rooms, to the sides of pools, armchairs can be found throughout. Despite the fact that arm chairs are found so widely throughout society, there are a number of problems with these chairs that have yet to be addressed. 
         [0004]    One such problem is the venerable cesspool of germs that accumulates on the arms of armchairs. A study conducted jointly by researchers at San Diego State University and the University of Arizona has shown that while bacteria growth is rampant throughout an entire office, office chairs within the office are one of the best breeding grounds for bacteria. 
         [0005]    As noted above, arms chairs are teeming with different types of bacteria. Another area of concern with the contamination of arm chairs is with regard to healthcare facilities. 
         [0006]    The Department of Health and Human Services&#39; Inspector General found that 13.5% of Medicare patients experience adverse events, and an additional 13.5% experience temporary harm. What is surprising about these numbers is that physician reviewers believed that 44% of these occurrences were preventable. In an effort to combat some of these preventable occurrences, the Center for Health Design has released a set of guidelines for furniture used in healthcare facilities. Chief among these guidelines is taking steps to reduce surface contamination linked to healthcare associated infections, as well as being able to easily and inexpensively integrate into existing healthcare facilities. The Center further notes that the problem of sterilizing furniture located in healthcare facilities has been recognized as a problem as early as 1915. The guidelines also note how cleaning methodology simplification is necessary. 
         [0007]    Additionally, many contaminants can live on surfaces for prolonged periods of time. This is not limited to healthcare facilities either. An Auburn University study has shown that bacteria contained on airplanes, absent any corrective measures, can survive for days. Such bacteria include impetigo, mescaline resistant  staphylococcus aureus  (“MRSA”), and norovirus. These bacteria are all dangerous to humans, can be transferred via inanimate objects, and represent significant risks to humans in many different circumstances. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a clear need in the art for a simple way to disinfect the arms of armchairs in a wide variety of circumstances. 
         [0009]    Examples of related art are described below: 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,418,092 shows removable protectors for the arms of various types of chairs that are upholstered. This protector is meant to preserve the material of the chair on which it is placed. Key aspects of this invention are that the removable protectors are flexible and able to conform to the arms of many different types of chairs. 
         [0011]    U.S. Patent Application 2013/0200204 shows a holder for medical paper to cover an examination surface of a phlebotomy table. This holder includes a crossbar large enough to extend across an examination surface of a phlebotomy table as well as arms extending from a first surface of the crossbar. A roller is configured to be supported between the arms a given distance from the first surface of the crossbar and to support a roll of the medical paper, but also configured to be removable. There exists a table receiving slot configured to receive a portion of the phlebotomy table which is defined as the space between the crossbar, arms, and the roller. 
         [0012]    Patent Cooperation Treaty Application WO2008112920 shows a chair arm adjustment device including an arm pad base which is slidably coupled to the arm support, an arm pad base sliding substantially horizontally with respect to the arm support, and an arm brake assembly coupled with the arm pad base. This arm brake assembly can shift between a locked position in which the arm brake assembly substantially inhibits movement of the arm pad base and an unlocked position in which the arm brake assembly does not substantially inhibit movement of the arm pad base. 
         [0013]    None of the art described above addresses all of the addressed by the present invention does. 
         [0014]    A simple solution to the above problems would be a pad that goes over the arms of chairs that is treated with residue-producing anti-microbial materials. This would prevent the need to clean the pads in order to maintain a substantially clean surface, and would provide for the serious reduction in the amount of bacteria located on an armchair&#39;s arm. While this device provides a simple and elegant solution to the problem of sterilizing the arms of arm chairs, the prior art does not teach such a device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The present invention discloses a pad, comprising: a padding having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a distal end; wherein said padding is covered by at least one piece of material, said material having anti-microbial properties and having an attachment mechanism to affix said pad to an arm of an armchair. 
         [0016]    Different embodiments of the device as described above will employ different methods to achieve the desired sterilization. However, all embodiments of the present invention employ generally the same sterilization scheme. That is, the present invention uses material treated with some sort of anti-microbial compound. This prevents the need to continuously wash the pad in order to make it substantially clean; rather, the pad will be inherently antimicrobial. The inclusion of the anti-microbial coating will also relax some of the design restrictions mandated by a pad that must be continuously washed. While the different anti-microbial compounds contemplated by the present invention act to sterilize the surface in a different way, an example will be given to illustrate the general mechanism of sterilization. One such compound, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, operates by taking advantage of its electro-chemical properties such that a microorganism that is exposed to the compound will have its cell walls penetrated, begin leaking metabolites, which in turn prevents the organism from reproducing. However, all anti-microbial compounds used in the present invention will leave some sort of residue. This residue allows the present invention to be made of a number of different material materials without compromising the sterilizing characteristics of the pad. 
         [0017]    The present invention also contemplates a method of protecting a user from a surface, comprising: placing, a padding covered by at least one material, said material having anti-microbial properties and having an attachment mechanism to affix said pad to an arm of a chair; affixing said pad to said surface. 
         [0018]    Many different types of material can be used with the present invention. For example, the material can be comprised of cotton, polyester, rayon, grosgrain, 100% solution dyed acrylic, spun polyester, or any combination therein. 
         [0019]    Further, the present invention contemplates a number of different attachment mechanisms. Generally, the present invention utilizes straps, but those straps may be tied together, fastened together with hook and loop fasteners, held together via magnetic forces, or attached by some other attachment mechanism not specifically disclosed herein. 
         [0020]    Additionally, these pads may be used as a buffer between a user&#39;s arm and any excess heat that has built up in an armchair due to many reasons, such as exposure to the sun. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad that is capable of maintaining a substantially clean surface on the arm of an armchair. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad that is affordable. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad that will protect a user from the heat of an armchair that has been exposed to the sun or some other source of heat. 
         [0024]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a means to sterilize the arms of seats in movie theatres. 
         [0025]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad with varying thickness. 
         [0026]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad with antimicrobial fabric. 
         [0027]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad that increases a user&#39;s comfort while sitting. 
         [0028]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pad that increase a user&#39;s comfort while using a firearm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0032]    Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is a front perspective view of pad  100 . In one embodiment, the pad  100  is comprised of rectangular padding  101 , covered by material  105 . Material  105  is optionally coated with a number of different residue-producing antimicrobial compounds. In a preferred embodiment, material  105  is coated with an anilide, such as triclocarban. In another embodiment, material  105  is coated with a biguanide, such as chlorhexidine, alexidine, or a polymeric biguanide. In another embodiment, material  105  is coated with a halophenol such a p-chloro-m-xylenol. In yet another embodiment, material  105  is coated with phenol or cresol. In another embodiment, material  105  is coated with a quaternary ammonium compound, such as cetrimide, benzalkonium chloride, or cetylpyridinium chloride. It should be considered that there exist many other acceptable residue-producing anti-microbial compounds not explicitly detailed here. Pad  100  is also equipped with straps  102  that are used to affix pad  100  to the arm of an armchair. In this embodiment, straps  102  are brought around the edge of the arm of the chair opposite which pad  100  is placed and are subsequently tied together to affix pad  100  to the arm of the armchair. In a preferred embodiment, padding  101  is comprised of Tru-Foam®. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the claimed invention. In this embodiment, there exists pad  100 , which is comprised of rectangular padding  101  covered by material  105 . Affixed to rectangular padding  101  are a number of straps  102 . In this embodiment, half of straps  102  is equipped with hook fasteners  103  and the other half of straps  102  is equipped with loop fasteners  104 . Hook fasteners  103  and loop fasteners  104  can be joined when straps  102  are draped around the outer edge of an arm of an armchair in order to fasten pad  100  to the arm of said armchair. 
         [0035]    An alternative embodiment exists where straps  102  are equipped with magnets such that the magnets will keep the straps together affixing pad  100  to the arm of an armchair. 
         [0036]    It should be contemplated that pad  100  may be attached to a firearm in order to provide additional comfort. In another embodiment, the invention may be attached to the shoulder of an individual for protection while the individual is using a firearm. In another embodiment of the invention, the invention may be permanently affixed to arm rests of airplane seats, theater seats or other indoor or outdoor seating. In this alternative embodiment, the apparatus may be equipped with peel away strips that provide a barrier between human skin and the arm rest. In another embodiment of the invention, the peel away strips may be contained within the apparatus. The apparatus may be also be affixed to such seating via fabric ties, adhesive or magnets. In another embodiment of the invention, the invention may be affixed a desk to allow an individual&#39;s arms to rest upon the apparatus. 
         [0037]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, the device or apparatus may be used to provide a sterile environment for a user. This can be achieved through a number of different ways, such as, for example, cleaning products, oxidizing agents, and antimicrobial compounds. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention may be used to upholster furniture. The present invention can be suitable for upholstering furniture intended to remain indoors, as well as furniture that is intended to be used and stored outdoors. 
         [0039]    Various other components may be included and called upon for providing for aspects of the teachings herein. For example, additional materials, combinations of materials and/or omission of materials may be used to provide for added embodiments that are within the scope of the teachings herein. In the present application, a variety of variables are described, including but not limited to components and conditions. It is to be understood that any combination of any of these variables can define an embodiment of the disclosure. Other combinations of articles, components, conditions, and/or methods can also be specifically selected from among variables listed herein to define other embodiments, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0040]    When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0041]    While the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.