Heated cover for an article of furniture

A heated cover for use with an article of furniture comprises an exterior top layer and an exterior bottom layer that are fabricated from a conductive material. The heated cover also includes a plurality of heating pads positioned between the exterior top layer and the exterior bottom layer. Each of the plurality of heating pads comprises a heating element configured to convert electrical energy to thermal energy and a padding layer coupled between the heating element and the exterior bottom layer. The heated cover also includes a rechargeable electrical storage device coupled to the plurality of heating pads. The rechargeable electrical storage device is configured to provide electrical energy to the plurality of heating pads.

BACKGROUND

The field of this disclosure relates generally to heated covers, and more particularly, to heated covers for articles of furniture.

Known articles of furniture include a variety of different types of articles, including for example chairs. At least some known chairs are collapsible for storage purposes, such as, camping chairs, for example. Such collapsible articles are often used outdoors in the elements and as such, the articles may be exposed to the elements and to a wide range of temperatures.

At least some known collapsible chairs include a foldable chair frame that may be constructed by metal or plastic tubes and a seat fabric. The frame forms a back frame and a seat frame to which a fabric material is coupled thereto. At least some known fabric seats are fabricated from fabric, including twilled nylon and/or other mixing material such as polyurethane.

Because conventional collapsible chairs can be quickly and easily unfolded for use and folded into a compact fold-up structure for transport, a user can easily transport the collapsible chairs to all kinds of outdoor activities, such as camping and sporting events. However, conventional collapsible chairs are not ideal for winter use because the fabric seats are generally thin layers of material such that any portion of the user's body in contact with the fabric may be subjected to lower ambient winter temperatures. In fact, in some such chairs, the bottom surface of the fabric may wick away any heat transferred to the upper surface of the fabric from the body of the seated user.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to produce an insert or cover for an article of furniture that transfers heat to a user and that also retains at least a portion of the heat generated by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, heated cover for use with an article of furniture is provided. The heated cover includes a back portion and a seat portion that are fabricated from a conductive material. A plurality of heating pads are positioned to provide heat to the back portion and to the seat portion by converting electrical energy to thermal energy. The heated cover also includes a rechargeable electrical storage device coupled to the plurality of heating pads. The rechargeable electrical storage device is configured to selectively provide electrical energy to the plurality of heating pads.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a heated cover for use with an article of furniture is provided. The method comprises coupling a plurality of heating pads within a back portion and within a seat portion of the cover. The plurality of heating pads are configured to convert electrical energy to thermal energy, and the back portion and the seat portion are fabricated from a conductive material. The method also includes coupling a rechargeable electrical storage device to the plurality of heating pads, wherein the rechargeable electrical storage device is configured to provide electrical energy to the plurality of heating pads.

In yet another embodiment, a heated cover for use with an article of furniture is provided. The heated cover includes a back portion and a seat portion that are fabricated from a conductive material. A plurality of heating pads are positioned between the exterior top layer and the exterior bottom layer. Each of the plurality of heating pads comprises a heating element configured to convert electrical energy to thermal energy and a padding layer coupled between the heating element and the exterior bottom layer. The heated cover also includes a rechargeable electrical storage device coupled to the plurality of heating pads. The rechargeable electrical storage device is configured selectively to provide electrical energy to the plurality of heating pads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed towards a portable, collapsible heated cover for use with a chair. The cover includes a self-contained rechargeable electrical power source, such as a battery pack, for use in selectively operating a plurality of heating pads within the cover. The heating pads are fabricated to be flexible such that the cover can be folded and collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and transport. An external charger may be used to charge the battery pack prior to use so that the portable heated chair cover can be used in locations not accessible by electrical power. The cover also includes a control panel that enables a user to selectively control the temperature of the heating pads according to their comfort. The cover may be assembled from layers of material that are water resistant such that the cover can withstand less than ideal weather conditions and can also retain and transfer heat from the plurality of heating pads to the user's body.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an exemplary collapsible camping chair100and heated chair cover160.FIG. 2is a front view of chair cover160. The present disclosure is not limited to being used only with a collapsible chair. Rather, the present invention may be used with any type of chair, such as, but not limited to, aluminum folding chairs or any fixed bodied chair. In the exemplary embodiment, chair100includes a collapsible frame104. Frame104includes a plurality of front frame members106, side frame members108, and rear frame members110. Frame104also includes a plurality of upper members112that extend generally vertically upwards from respective rear frame members110. Front frame members106are coupled together at a front pivot assembly114, and side frame members108and rear frame members110are coupled together at a respective side pivot assembly116and a rear pivot assembly118. Front frame members106and side frame members108are also coupled together at front lower pivot assemblies120, and rear frame members110and side frame members108are coupled together at rear lower pivot assemblies122. Pivots124couple front pivot assembly114, side pivot assemblies116, rear pivot assemblies118, and the approximate midpoints of members106,108, and110. Front lower pivot assemblies120and rear lower pivot assemblies122also have feet126coupled thereto. Pivot assemblies114,116,118,120,122and pivots124couple all the frame members to each other, such that chair100is coupled together as a unitary assembly. Frame104may be known as an X-frame. Accordingly, frame104is movable from an open orientation, wherein a central area130is substantially open, to a closed orientation, wherein the size of the central area130is substantially reduced.

In the exemplary embodiment, chair100also includes a base material140coupled thereto. Base material140includes a back portion142and a seat portion144. Portions142and144may be formed from separate pieces of material, or alternatively from a single unitary piece of material. Moreover, portions142and144are coupled to frame104such that a load applied to either portion142or144(e.g., by an individual sitting on chair100) is transferred to frame104. The load may be applied by a user sitting in chair100and contacting a top surface146of base material140that is opposite a bottom surface148. Base material140may be fabricated from any material (e.g., fabric) that has sufficient structural strength to support the weight of an individual seated within chair100. In the exemplary embodiment, base material140is fabricated from nylon and/or any other mixing material such as polyurethane. Additionally, base material140may be fabricated from a material that is resistant to moisture and/or sunlight. In the exemplary embodiment, chair100includes arm rests150that may be formed either integrally with, or separate from, base material140. Arm rests150are suitably coupled to at least a portion of the frame104and are sized to permit an individual to rest their arms comfortably thereon when seated in chair100. In the exemplary embodiment, each arm rest150includes at least one cup holder152. Cup holders152may be formed integrally with, or attached to, armrests150.

In the exemplary embodiment, chair100includes a heated cover160removably coupled thereto. Cover160includes a back portion162and a seat portion164that are adjacent to base back portion and base seat portions142and144, respectively. Cover160extends from a top edge166to a bottom edge168, and from a first side edge170to a second side edge172. A first cover fastener174extends from first side edge170adjacent to bottom edge168and a second cover fastener176extends from second side edge adjacent to bottom edge168. In the exemplary embodiment, fasteners174and176are hook and loop type fasteners that facilitate coupling cover160to a portion of chair100. More specifically, fasteners174and176couple cover160to front frame members106adjacent to base material140. Alternatively, fasteners174and176may be any suitable mechanical fastener (e.g., snaps, buttons, zippers, clasps, clips, etc.) that couples cover160to any portion of chair100and/or base fabric140that enables cover160and chair100to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, cover back portion162includes a pocket178that facilitates coupling cover160to chair100. Pocket178is defined by top edge166, opposing front and rear flaps180and182, and by opposing side flaps184and186. In operation, a user separates rear flap182from front flap180such that flaps184and186are expanded to form pocket178. Pocket178is sized and oriented to receive at least a portion of back portion142and upper members112of chair100therein to facilitate coupling cover160to chair100. Cover160also includes fasteners188on rear flap182that further facilitate coupling cover160to chair100. Front and rear flaps180and182have a width W1that is wider than a width W2of back and seat portions162and164of cover160, such that front and rear flaps180and182extend a substantially equal distance from both first and second side edges170and172. Width W1facilitates coupling pocket178to chair100, or to any chair having a width less than width W1.

As described above, cover160includes an electrical power source, such as a battery pack190, which is operable to control activation of a plurality of heating pads192within cover160. Alternatively, battery pack190may be coupled to chair100such that cover160is electrically coupled to chair100via battery pack190. In some embodiments, battery190is a rechargeable battery that is capable of repeated charging and discharging cycles. Such batteries are often referred to as “secondary electrochemical cells” and include lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries, for example. In the exemplary embodiment, battery190is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is electrically coupled with each heating pad192. Alternatively, battery190may be any device capable of storing electrical energy and providing such energy to heating pads192as described herein, such as, without limitation, a lead-acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, an alkaline battery, or a capacitor. Cover160includes a battery pouch194that is sized to house battery190therein. In the exemplary embodiment, pouch194is sewn onto seat portion164of cover160and extends from first side edge170. Alternatively, battery190may be coupled to any portion of cover160or, alternatively, battery190may not be coupled to cover160. An external charger may be used to charge battery pack190prior to use such that portable heated chair cover160can be used in locations not accessible by electrical power. Alternatively, battery pack190may be charged using solar power.

In the exemplary embodiment, cover160includes a plurality of heating pads192that selectively transfer heat from a heating element196to a user seated in chair100. More specifically, either portion162and/or164includes at least one heating pad192integrated therein. As disclosed herein, back portion162and seat portion164each include a plurality of separate heating pads192that are coupled together by wiring198. Alternatively, portions of heating pads192positioned in back portion162may be formed continuously with portions of heating pads192located within seat portion164(i.e., a single heating pad may extend into both portions162and164). Heating pads192are “integrated within” cover160such that heating pads192are either coupled thereto, or are formed integrally with either portion162and/or164, and as such are not readily removed from cover160. For example, heating pads192may be encased between two separate layers (not shown inFIG. 1 or 2) that together form cover160.

Each heating pad192includes an electrical resistance type heating element196positioned thereon that receives electricity via wiring198. Alternatively, heating elements196may be any type of electrically-powered heating element that enables cover160to function as described therein. In the exemplary embodiment, heating elements196generate heat by converting electrical energy from battery pack190into heat energy by passing current through one or more conductors that restrict the flow of electricity therethrough to generate heat. This restriction results in the generation of heat. An amount of heat energy generated by heating elements196is dependent on a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, the type of material from which heating elements196are fabricated and/or the voltage and amount of electricity flowing therethrough (i.e., the current). Each heating element196is arranged in a serpentine or generally looped orientation on a respective heating pad192and includes wiring198that extends from seat portion164. Wiring198electrically couples heating pads192together and terminates at an electrical connector200wherein a source of electrical energy, such as battery pack190, may be electrically connected to wiring198.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a portion of heated cover160. In the exemplary embodiment, cover160includes an exterior top layer202and an exterior bottom layer204that each extend over back and seat portions162and164of cover160. Exterior top and bottom layers202and204are configured to enclose the plurality of heating pads192therebetween. One example of a material suitable for use as layers202and204is FabRoc produced by EXO2 of Lanarkshire, United Kingdom. Materials such as FabRoc are electrically and heat conductive fabrics with a specific structure that generates heat when electrical current is passed therethrough. In another embodiment, layers202and204are manufactured from a material, such as but not limited to, neoprene such that cover160(shown inFIG. 1) is at least partially waterproof to resist damage due to being outdoors or from washing cover160and also retain and transfer heat from plurality of heating pads192to the user's body. In the exemplary embodiment, exterior bottom layer204is configured to contact top surface146(shown inFIG. 1) of base material140and exterior top layer202is configured to contact at least a portion of the user's body such that heat from the plurality of heating pads192is transferred through top layer202to the user.

In the exemplary embodiment, cover160includes an integrally formed windscreen (not shown) to restrict the flow of air and/or heat through base material140of chair100. Alternatively, the windscreen may be coupled to cover160and/or to chair100. In such an embodiment, the windscreen is positioned beneath and adjacent to base material140and opposite cover160such that the windscreen is not between a user's body and base material140and/or cover160when the user is seated in chair100. The windscreen is secured to frame104of chair100by a plurality of fasteners (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment, the fasteners are disposed generally at the corners of the windscreen, although in other embodiments the fasteners may be positioned differently. The fasteners in the exemplary embodiment are hook-and-loop fasteners, although in other embodiments the fasteners may be any suitable mechanical fasteners (e.g., snaps, buttons, zippers, clasps, etc.). Moreover, the fasteners can include a pocket or other structure formed in the windscreen for fitment over a portion of cover160(e.g., back portion162and/or front portion164) and/or base material140(e.g., back portion142and/or front portion144).

The windscreen is constructed from a material that restricts or blocks the flow of air and/or heat therethrough, such as polyurethane or similar materials. Moreover, the windscreen may be formed from a fabric-like material that includes both natural and synthetic materials. The windscreen can also be a multi-layer structure that includes a layer of insulating materials disposed between two other layers. Furthermore, heat generated by heating pads192is restricted or prevented from travelling through base material140and/or exterior top and bottom layers202and204in a direction away from the user. The windscreen thus reduces the amount of heat required to be generated by heating pads192in order to warm a user seated in chair100. As such, heating pads192require less electrical energy and the amount of time battery190is able to power heating pads192is increased. The windscreen thus significantly increases the efficiency of cover160and the comfort of a use seated in chair100having cover160.

While the windscreen is described as being used in conjunction with chair100having cover160coupled thereto, the windscreens may be used with any suitable chair, including those that do not have heated cover160. Moreover, heating pads the same as or similar to those described herein may be integrated within or otherwise attached to the windscreen. A windscreen having heating pads192described herein can be used with chair100, or such the windscreen can be used with chairs that do not have cover160coupled thereto.

In the exemplary embodiment, each heating pad192includes heating element196coupled to at least one padding layer206. In another embodiment, heating element196is formed integrally with the fabric or other material which forms layers202and204. Padding layer206is configured to provide an extra layer of comfort for the user in addition to exterior layers202and204which also serve as additional padding. In the exemplary embodiment, padding layer206is fabricated from a resilient foam material. Alternatively, padding layer206may be fabricated from any material, such as a gel material, that facilitate operation of cover160as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, heating element196is coupled to padding layer206using an adhesive. Alternatively, heating element196may be coupled to padding layer206by any means, such as by stitching heating element196to padding layer206, that facilitates operation of cover160as described herein. Cover160and its components, exterior layers202and204, heating element196, and padding layer206are fabricated from flexible materials to facilitate folding and collapsing of cover160into a compact configuration for storage and transport.

In operation, a user couples cover160to chair100(shown inFIG. 1) using at least one of fasteners174,176, and188(shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) and/or by inserting a portion chair100into pocket178(shown inFIG. 2) such that exterior bottom layer204of cover160is adjacent top surface146of base material140. The user then selectively operates battery pack190(shown inFIG. 2) to transfer electrical energy through wiring198(shown inFIG. 2) to the plurality of heating pads192. More specifically, battery pack190transfers electrical energy to heating elements196, which convert the electrical energy into heat energy. The heat energy generated by heating elements196is transferred through top exterior layer202of cover160to at least a portion of the user's body to provide warmth to the user.

FIG. 4is a side view of an exemplary control panel300that may be used with cover160. In the exemplary embodiment, control panel300is electrically coupled to heating element196and battery pack190. More specifically, control panel300may either be integrated with battery pack190or may be a separate component that is coupled to battery pack190. Control panel300functions to control an amount of electrical energy supplied to the plurality of heating pads192, and more specifically, heating elements196, from battery190. In alternative embodiments, control panel300and battery190may be located separately and detached from cover160. In this alternative embodiment, a single control panel300and battery190may be used to provide electrical energy to multiple covers160. Control panel300and battery190may be co-located together, and multiple covers160may be electrically coupled thereto with electrical extension cords or other electrical connectors. Moreover, multiple batteries190may be used in conjunction with control panel300to power either one or more covers160.

In the exemplary embodiment, control panel300includes a temperature control302that is used to regulate an amount of heat generated by the plurality of heating pads192. Temperature control302includes a knob304that is rotatably coupled to an electrical control device (not shown). A scale306is printed or otherwise affixed to a surface308of control panel300. Scale306can indicate a range of temperatures or desired comfort levels. Knob304is thus rotated by an individual until a pointer310or other indicia thereon is aligned with a desired point on scale306corresponding to either a specific temperature or a general comfort level setting (e.g., hot, warm, or off).

The electrical control device used with temperature control302varies an amount of current or voltage supplied to each heating element196in one embodiment. Alternatively, electrical control device is a thermostat which selectively controls an amount of electrical energy to each heating element196based on a measured temperature and a set point. The thermostat thus monitors the temperature of a point on cover160adjacent to heating pads192with a thermocouple or other suitable device.

A charge indicator312is also provided in control panel300in the form of a numeric display. Charge indicator312presents a visual indication of an amount of charge or “useful life” remaining in battery190. This indication can be expressed as a percentage of the total charge which battery190is capable of storing. In the exemplary embodiment, the indication is presented on a digital display.

In the exemplary embodiment, control panel300also includes a plurality of auxiliary electrical connectors314. Connectors314enable electrically-powered accessories to be coupled to control panel300, and in turn to battery190. Accordingly, connectors314enable electrical energy to be transferred to the accessories from battery190, such that the accessories may be electrically charged.

Varieties of different types of electrical connectors314are included in the exemplary embodiment. For example, electrical connector314may be, but are not limited to, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector316, a 12 volt direct current accessory plug318(i.e., a cigarette lighter plug), and/or a 120 volt alternating current electrical socket320. Accordingly, electrical energy may be supplied from battery190to electrically powered accessories (e.g., a wireless phone charger, a digital media player, or a computing device) via control panel300through connectors314.

In another embodiment, at least one connector314is an electrical connector that enables an electrical input source (i.e., an extension cord) to be electrically coupled to control panel300and to supply battery190with electrical energy. Charging battery190in such a manner is useful when access to other sources of electrical energy is available.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide for a cover for an article of furniture, wherein the cover includes electrical heating elements. The cover also includes a plurality of heating pads that each include a heating element coupled to a padding layer. Electrical energy is supplied to each of the heating elements from a rechargeable electrical storage device. Accordingly, the heated cover of furniture may be used in environments without ready access to other sources of electrical energy, such as in remote areas. Moreover, the heated cover may be used with an article of furniture that is susceptible to colder temperatures and that does not retain the body heat generated by a user. Furthermore, the components of the heated cover, and more specifically the heating elements, the padding layer, and exterior top and bottom layers, are flexible, such that the heated cover is foldable into a collapsed configuration when in not in use and is expandable to an open configuration when in use. Moreover, the self-contained power source may be used to provide electrical energy to other devices.