CHAIR CUSHION WITH POCKETS

The present application relates to a seat cushion made of a foam cushion enclosed in fabric. The foam cushion is inserted into the fabric through an opening defined through the fabric and placed on top of a chair's seat. The fabric also contains integral opposing pockets where personal articles and items can be held. The pockets lie to the left and right side of the seat and the back panel lies to the back of the seat once the cushion is secured to the chair. The fabric contains ties that secure the cushion to the back legs of the chair. The integral back panel can be a pocket on the seat slip cover. The seat slip cover can cover the entire length of the back spine of a chair, the entire length of the back legs of a chair or the entire length of all the legs of a chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The majority of chairs used at formal and informal and indoor and outdoor receptions, galas, and other like functions are typically chiavari brand chairs. Such chairs have a unique design and function. The special design of the chiavari chair is achieved by structural sections. Each component is designed according to the specific stresses it will carry. The seat portion of the chiavari chair is made with thin strips of willow wood and is often deemed uncomfortable especially when a person sits for extended periods of time. Similar chairs often have wooden bases for a seat platform and typically lack comfort. Other parts of the chiavari chair and other chairs used at such functions are made of resin and metal which add to the discomfort for an individual sitting. The present application addresses this discomfort problem by creating a comfortable seat cushion coupled with the functional use of pockets and panels for retaining important objects and belongings.

Applicant has also come to appreciate that at indoor or outdoor receptions or parties, guests, often are without a place to store their clutches, personal belongings and the like. As a result, reception tables are often cluttered. Aggravating this situation, if a drink spills or food falls, the risk of damage to a person's belongings that are situated on the table is very real. Also, at such events and receptions, the belongings of guests are often placed on the floor. This can lead to other guests kicking and subsequently damaging these belongings or an individual's belongings can be lost. A cluttered table or floor also disrupts the form and ambiance of the event and can be unsafe. Moreover, in an outdoor event, wind can be problematic as it can blow items away (e.g. napkin).

Embodiments of the present disclosure address these concerns by providing a seat cushion and slip cover with pockets that are able to hold and protect the important, sentimental and sometimes expensive items an individual brings to a reception, party, gala or other function.

For purposes of illustration, and not limitation, as shown inFIG. 1, a chair50is shown with the seat cushion40connected to the chair50via fabric ties30. The fabric covering the seat cushion includes three exterior panels. The first panel10A is integrally attached to the fabric which covers the seat cushion40and includes a pocket10A and is positioned on the exterior of the chair to the left of a person's side when seated. As shown inFIG. 2, the right panel is integrally attached to the fabric which covers the cushion and includes a pocket10B which is positioned on the exterior of the chair to the right of a persons side when seated. As shown inFIG. 1orFIG. 2, the third panel20is integrally attached to the fabric which covers the cushion and is positioned on the exterior of the chair near the back of a person when seated. In another embodiment, the third panel20can include a pocket. In another embodiment, the fabric panel pockets10A,10B can be integrally attached to the seat cushion40. The fabric used for covering the seat cushion insert and the fabric ties is polyester. However, any fabric can be used.

The cushion can be made from a polyurethane, environmentally safe, high-density, and high purity foam. Depending on the make of the chair, the seat cushion can be of any desired length, width, depth or tapered from front to back. Additional seat cushion thicknesses and heights can be made depending on desired comfort. The cushion can be taken out of the fabric and the fabric can be washed.

The measurements of the seat cushion match the measurements of the chiavari chair or whatever chair the seat cushion is intended for, and can be, for example as follows: 2″ thickness; 16″ length; and 16 total width but the cushion begins to taper down towards the rear of the seat at about 13″ of the width. The measurements of the fabric panel pockets10A,10B can be, for example, as follows: 13″ in length; 8″ in height/width; and contain an interior pocket depth of 5″. The pockets are 8″ in depth and can expand to accommodate a variety of objects. Depending on the make and model of the chair and the desire of the individual hosting a party at a reception venue, the pocket can be of any length, width or depth. The pockets can preferably hold up to 2 pounds each in weight without disturbing the other empty pocket or seat cushion.

The pocket is preferably capable of receiving multiple items, such as: auction bidding paddles, clutches, wallets, umbrellas, evening bags, menus, party favors, programs, playbills, cell phones, and cameras. In another embodiment, the pocket can be sealed via hook and loop fasteners, snaps, zippers, magnets or other fastener means. The fabric panel or pockets can be various colors and sizes and are preferably aesthetically pleasing. The exterior design of the pocket can be decorative such as an inverted box pleat and may also contain piping details or other adornments.

Any fabric can be used for the pocket, panel and to cover the cushion. The fabric can be, for example, velvet, taffeta, or polyester. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric can be made of a high quality, upholstery-grade bengaline fabric. Heavy duty polyester stitching can be used everywhere to ensure the ties do not detach from the fabric. The fabric of the pockets can be of a heavier thread count or fabric grade, so as to receive heavier objects such that the seat cushion can remain on the chair whether a person is sitting on the seat cushion or not.

As shown inFIG. 3, the fabric panel pocket32is integrally attached to the fabric which includes a slip cover36. The slip cover36fits directly over the full length of the spine backing of a chiavari chair34(or other chair). The slip cover36proceeds down to the floor such as to create a skirt around the back two chair legs of the bottom of the chair38. As shown inFIG. 3, the back panel pocket32is located in the midway portion of the slip cover in a position slightly above the seating platform. In another embodiment, the slip cover as shown inFIG. 3may include a back panel pocket positioned slightly below the seating platform of the chair. The pocket32, similar to the seat cushion pockets can hold individual belongings and items of importance. Similar to the fabric covering the cushion inserts, the slip covers can be made of various fabric types, colors and designs for aesthetic reasons.

As shown inFIG. 4, the slip cover48fits directly over the full length of the spine backing of a chiavari chair44(or any other make and model of chair), covers the seating platform of the chair and all four legs of the chair44, and proceeds to create a skirt at the bottom46of the chair44. As shown inFIG. 4, the back panel pocket42is positioned on the upper portion of the fabric of the slip cover48. The pocket42, similar to the seat cushion pockets, can hold individual belongings and items of importance.

As shown inFIG. 5, the slip cover56covers only the top portion of the back of the chair54. InFIG. 5, the pocket52is located slightly above where the seating platform meets the back legs of the chair54. In another embodiment, the length of the slip cover can be raised or lowered on the chairs spine depending on the individual's preferences. Likewise, the back panel pocket52can be positioned at any desired location on the slip cover56.

In another embodiment, the slip covers shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5may include side pockets on either side of the seat platform. In another embodiment, the slip cover shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5may be used in conjunction with the aforementioned and described seat cushion wherein the seat cushion is still tied to the back legs where the seat meets the back legs of the chair.

Similar toFIG. 4, the slip cover68as shown inFIG. 6, covers the entire chair64. The slip covers the back spine of the chair, the seating platform of the chair and proceeds down to the bottom of the chair66, thereby creating a skirt around the four legs of the chair. The slip cover68inFIG. 6includes side pockets62(right side pocket not shown). Similar to the seat cushion pockets, all slip cover pockets are configured to retain personal belongings of individuals at receptions, galas, auctions and the like.

In another embodiment, the cushion or the fabric may be equipped with an adhesive or high friction layer (e.g. rubber or silicone) on it's underside that can be adhered to the chair's seating platform or the chair's existing cushion. In any scenario, the seat cushion preferably provides greater comfort to the individual while providing a feeling of security that their personal items and belongings are protected and secure.

In another embodiment, the seat cushion can include two side pockets and not have a back panel.FIG. 7shows a seat cushion70with only side pockets installed on the chair78. The first panel72is integrally attached to fabric of the seat cushion70and includes a pocket74. When the seat cushion70is installed on the chair78, the first panel72is positioned on the exterior of the chair78to the left of a person's side when seated. The second panel76is integrally attached to fabric of the seat cushion70and includes a pocket (not shown). When the seat cushion70is installed on the chair78, the second panel76is positioned on the exterior of the chair78to the right of a person's side when seated. The seat cushion includes fabric ties73which, when the seat cushion70is installed on a chair78, are tied where the seating platform meets the spine of the chair78.

FIG. 8is a front view of a seat cushion80. The ties81, the left side panel82and left side pocket83, and the right side panel84and the right side pocket85are shown.FIG. 9is a rear view of a seat cushion80.FIG. 10andFIG. 11show the left side and right side views of the seat cushion80, respectively.FIG. 12shows the top view of the seat cushion80.FIG. 13shows the bottom view of the seat cushion80. The bottom of the seat cushion80includes a horizontal opening1302for a cushion to be inserted into the fabric1304.

In the disclosure hereof any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function. Applicants thus regard any means which can provide those functionalities as equivalent to those shown herein. It is intended that the present disclosure include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the subject disclosure and equivalents.