Abstract:
A configurable seating assembly includes a plurality of rectangular pad assemblies disposed within a durable cover assembly. The cover includes a generally triangular or tapered upper chamber forming a back support portion above a generally rectangular lower chamber forming a body support portion. A wedge assembly, manufactured from a foam material, is removably positioned in the upper chamber, and the pads, manufactured from a foam material, are positioned in the compartments of a separator assembly within the lower chamber thereby providing a seating apparatus. A front panel at the forward end of the lower chamber provides an opening into the cover assembly allowing insertion and removal of the wedge and pads. The pads may be removed from the cover and arranged on the floor providing pads for sleeping. The front panel is releasably secured to the cover by cooperating removable connectors.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/492,991, filed Sep. 22, 2014, entitled CONFIGURABLE SEATING ASSEMBLY, which claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/880,680, filed Sep. 20, 2013, entitled CONFIGURABLE SEATING ASSEMBLY, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosed subject matter relates generally to body support apparatus, and more particularly to a configurable seating assembly. 
         [0003]    Child care and school environments use a variety of body support apparatuses designed to accommodate the activity level of the child at any given time, namely sitting and resting. Sitting requires stools or chairs that only serve to support the child when sitting. Resting requires mats that only serve to support the child when laying down, resting, or sleeping. In addition to serving limited functions, chairs, stools, and cots are bulky and do not stack very well. Storing the chairs, stools, and mats presents a safety hazard because children are prone to climb the items when they are stacked, and as a result, the items are prone to toppling upon them. Moreover, stored, single use support apparatuses take up space in the child care environment thereby reducing space for other activities and items. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A convertible seating assembly includes a cover assembly with a lower body support chamber having two or more removable pad assemblies therein. The cover assembly includes a front panel that opens allowing a user to insert and remove the pad assemblies from compartments therein. The compartments are separated by fabric panels for separating the pad assemblies when they are in the cover assembly. 
         [0005]    Each pad assembly includes a mat surrounded by a cover. The cover may be one piece, or comprise an upper cover half and a lower cover half. The upper cover is a barrier material, and the lower cover is a barrier material having antimicrobial properties. 
         [0006]    The two or more pad assemblies can be removed from the seating assembly when it is not being used as such, and the pad assemblies can be arranged together on the floor, or separated and used individually, allowing a user to rest thereon. The pad assemblies may be stored within the cover assembly when they are not used on the floor for resting. 
         [0007]    An alternative embodiment seating assembly includes a back support portion along the top edge. The back support portion includes an upper chamber having an opening into the body support chamber. A resilient tapered or wedge assembly is inserted into the upper chamber and the opening is secured with a cooperating removable connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a configurable seating assembly embodying principles of the disclosed subject matter. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the configurable seating assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of a reconfigurable mat assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3 b    is a perspective view of a pad assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view from the rear of the configurable seating assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from above of a pad assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from below of the pad assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7 a    is an exploded view of the pad assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7 b    is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment pad assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial view of the front of the separator assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment seating assembly embodying principles of the disclosed subject matter. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view from above of a wedge assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view from below of the wedge assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view from below of the alternative embodiment seating assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective sectional view from below of the access to the upper chamber. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As required, detailed aspects of the disclosed subject matter are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosed subject matter, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the disclosed technology in virtually any appropriately detailed structure 
         [0025]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right, and left refer to the disclosed subject matter as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, inwardly and outwardly refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar meaning. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , an embodiment of a configurable seating assembly  102  is shown. The assembly  102  may be used as a playing surface, or as a support surface, such as a bench, seat, or table. The configurable seating assembly  102  generally includes a cover assembly  104  and two or more pad assemblies  302 . When the configurable seating assembly  102  is assembled as a seating apparatus  186  ( FIG. 2 ) a person, such as a child, may sit on the assembly  102  supported from below by the pad assemblies  302  within the cover assembly  104 . When the pad assemblies  302  are removed from the cover assembly  104 , the pad assemblies can be separated and spaced apart on a floor providing individual pads ( FIG. 3 b   ) for users to rest or sit on. 
         [0027]    Alternatively, two or more pad assemblies  302  can be arranged in an edge to edge abutting arrangement to form a reconfigurable mat assembly  304  ( FIG. 3 a   ) allowing a person to rest or sit on the mat assembly  304 . The configurability of the assembly  102  allows it to serve at least two functions, one as a seating device, and two as a resting device, thereby allowing a user to avoid a need for a separate seating and resting device and minimizing the use of space within an environment. 
         [0028]    The cover assembly  104  is manufactured from a durable flexible material, including vinyl, and vinyl laminate, and forms a lower chamber for receiving the pad assemblies  302  thereby defining a body support portion  108 . Alternatively, the cover assembly  104  is manufactured from Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) compliant materials. The cover assembly  104  includes a generally rectangular bottom panel  126  extending laterally between a bottom edge  154  of a left panel  152  and a bottom edge  170  of a right panel  168 , and rearward from a front edge  128  toward a back panel  150  at a rear edge  130 . The back panel  150  is generally rectangular and extends laterally between a back edge  156  of the left panel  152  and a back edge  172  of the right panel  168 , and upward from the rear edge  130  toward a rear edge  118  of a first top panel  114 . The first top panel  114  is generally rectangular and is disposed higher, and generally parallel to, the bottom panel  126  forming a seating surface. The first top panel  114  extends laterally between a first top edge  158  of the left panel  152  and a first top edge  174  of the right panel  168 , and rearwardly from a front edge  116  to a rear edge  118 , whereby the rear edge  118  terminates at the back panel  150 . A first front panel  136  is generally rectangular and extends laterally between a left edge  140  adjacent a first front edge  162  of the left panel and a right edge  142  adjacent a first front edge  178  of the right panel  168 , and downwardly from the first top panel  114  front edge  116 . The bottom edge  138  disposed adjacent the bottom panel  126  front edge  128 . The first front panel  136  is movably connected to the first top panel  114  at the front edge  116 , and the bottom edge  138 , left edge  140 , and right edge  142  are connected to the bottom panel  126 , left panel  152 , and right panel  168 , respectively, by a cooperating removable connector thereby providing an opening  112  for inserting the pad assemblies  302  into the lower chamber  110 . 
         [0029]    The individual panels above are assembled to form the cover assembly  104 . In another embodiment, the left panel  152 , bottom panel  126 , and right panel  168  comprise a first monolithic piece of material, and the back panel  150 , top panel  114 , and first front panel  136  comprise a second monolithic piece of material, wherein the first and second monolithic pieces are jointed to form the cover assembly  104 . 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the cooperating removable connector comprises a hookless fastener such as a zipper, whereby the first side chain  408  is disposed along the left edge  140 , bottom edge  138 , and right edge  142 , and a cooperating second side chain  410  is disposed along the first front edge  162 , front edge  128 , and first front edge  178 . Movement of a slider  412  with a pull tab  414  in a first direction along the first and second side chains  408 ,  410  engages the side chains  408 ,  410  securing the first front panel  136  to the cover assembly  104 , and movement of the slider  412  in a second direction releases the edges  138 ,  140 ,  142  from the cover assembly  104 . 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, the zipper includes two sliders  412 , a first slider  412   a  that engages the side chains  408 ,  410  as it moves from the intersection of the front edge  116 , first front edge  162 , and left edge  140  toward the middle of the bottom edge  138 , and a second slider  412   b  that engages the side chains  408 ,  410  as it moves from the intersection of the front edge  116 , first front edge  178 , and right edge  142  toward the middle of the bottom edge  138 . 
         [0032]    The cover assembly  104  provides a series of interior panels defining a series of compartments for supporting the pad assemblies  302 . In an embodiment the compartments are accessed from the front of the cover assembly  105 . A first compartment  202  is formed by the first top panel  114  and an opposite first interior bottom panel  204 . A second compartment  212 , disposed below the first compartment  202 , is formed by the first interior bottom panel  204  and an opposite second interior bottom panel  214 . A third compartment  222 , disposed below the second compartment  212 , is formed by the second interior bottom panel  214  and an opposite third interior bottom panel  224 . A fourth compartment  232 , disposed below the third compartment  222 , is formed by the third interior bottom panel  224  and an opposite fourth interior bottom panel  234 . A fifth compartment  242 , disposed below the fourth compartment  232 , is formed by the fourth interior bottom panel  234  and an opposite fifth interior bottom panel  244 . A sixth compartment  252 , disposed below the fifth compartment  242 , is formed by the fifth interior bottom panel  244  and the opposite bottom panel  126 . The a back panel  150  forms the rear portion of each compartment. In an embodiment, the first front panel  136 , the first top panel  114 , back panel  150 , and bottom panel  126  are manufactured from a single piece of material cut along an outer edge, with the intervening compartments formed therebetween. Pad assemblies  302  are received within the compartments thereby separating the pad assemblies  302  so they are not touching, and aligning the pad assemblies  302  so they remain together, one on top of the other, within the cover assembly  104 . A pocket  256  with a transparent window is attached to the top surface of each panel  204 ,  214 ,  224 ,  234 ,  244 , and  126  allowing for the retention of identifying information, such a name or number associated with the particular pad assembly  302  stored within the associated compartment. 
         [0033]    The panels  204 ,  214 ,  224 ,  234 ,  244  are manufactured from a durable flexible material, including fabric, vinyl, and vinyl laminates. In an embodiment, the aforementioned panels include an additional layer of material on their upper surface. The contact points between the left and right edges of the panels, and left and right panels  152 ,  168  form seams  254  that are secured together by suitable means, including bonding, sewing, or radio frequency or sonic sealing. 
         [0034]    Pad assemblies  302  are received within the compartments thereby separating the pad assemblies  302  so they are not touching, and aligning the pad assemblies  302  so they remain together, one on top of the other, within the cover assembly  104 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7   b , pad assemblies  302   a ,  302   b ,  302   c ,  302   d ,  302   e , and  302   f  are shown. Each pad assembly  302  includes a mat  304  within a pad cover assembly  352 . The mat  304  is generally rectangular panel having a rectangular cross-section manufactured from a resilient material including foam, densified polyester fiber, or non-fire retardant foam. The pad cover assembly  352  may be manufactured from a single piece of material that envelopes the mat  304 , or may include two or more pieces of material secured together to envelope the mat  304 . In an embodiment, the pad cover assembly  352  includes an upper cover  354  secured to a lower cover  366 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 a   , an embodiment of the pad assembly  302  is shown and described where the upper cover  354  includes a top wall  356 , with a front wall  358 , an opposite back wall, left wall, and right wall  364  depending therefrom. The lower cover  366  includes a bottom wall  368 , with a front wall  370 , back wall  372 , left wall  374 , and right wall  376  extending upward therefrom. The aforementioned features of each the upper cover  354  and lower cover  366  can be manufactured as separate components secured together at seams, or can be formed as a single component from a seamless piece of material. The front walls  358  and  370  are secured together at a first seam  378 , the upper cover  354  back wall and back wall  372  are secured together at a second seam, the upper cover  354  left wall and left wall  374  are secured together at a third seam, and the right walls  364  and  376  are secured together at a fourth seam  384 . The upper cover  354  is manufactured from a barrier material, including an antimicrobial material, including HERCULITE brand material manufactured by Herculite Products, Inc. of Emigsville, Pa., USA, a vinyl CPSIA complaint barrier material, including Aquatex brand material by Pil Membranes, Ltd., United Kingdom, and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free material, including Baby Soft brand material by Chemtick Coated Fabrics, Inc. of Jericho, N.Y., USA. The lower cover  366  is manufactured from a barrier material, such as SAFE GUARD BARRIER SYSTEMS material manufactured by Vintex, Inc. of Ontario, Canada. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7 b   , an alternative embodiment of the pad assembly  302  is shown and described where the upper cover  354  includes a top wall  356 , with a front wall  358 , an opposite back wall, left wall, and right wall  364  depending therefrom. The lower cover  366  comprises solely a bottom wall  368 . The front walls  358  is secured to the front edge of the bottom wall  368  at a first seam, the back wall is secured to the back edge of the bottom wall  368  at a second seam, the left wall is secured to the left edge of the bottom wall  368  at a third seam, and the right wall  364  is secured to the right edge of the bottom wall  368  at a fourth seam. 
         [0038]    A pocket  400  with a transparent window is attached to the top surface of each pad assembly  302   a ,  302   b ,  302   c ,  302   d ,  302   e , and  302   f  allowing for the retention of identifying information, such a name or number associated with the particular compartment the pad assembly is stored in. For example, pad assembly  302   a  may be stored in the first compartment  202 . The first compartment  202  is bound at the top by the first top panel  114 , and at the bottom by the first bottom panel  204 . The first bottom panel  204  includes a pocket  256 . A user may be assigned pad assembly  302   a . Identifying information associated with the user may be placed in pocket  400 , and the same identifying information may be placed in pocket  256 . Thus the user knows to retrieve pad assembly  302   a , and to return pad assembly  302   a  to compartment  202  for storage. 
         [0039]    When the configurable seating assembly  102  is used as a seating apparatus  186 , the face  132  of the bottom panel  126  is in contact with the ground or floor, and the pad assemblies  302  are secured within the compartments of the cover assembly  104  providing structure and support for the seating assembly  102 . The compartments aid in retaining the position of the pad assemblies  302  when a user is sitting on top of the seating assembly  102 . When the assembly  102  is used as a mat assembly  304 , the first front panel  136  is unsecured from the cover assembly  104  and one or more of the pad assemblies  302   a , b, c, d, e, and f are removed from the cover assembly  104  and arranged spaced from one another for individual use, such as shown in  FIG. 3 b   , or arranged adjacent to each other, such as shown in  FIG. 3 a   , allowing a person or child to sit or rest thereon. The assembly  102  is returned to a seating apparatus  186  by returning the pad assemblies  302  to the compartments within the chamber  110  and securing the first front panel  136  to the cover assembly  104 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-13  an alternative embodiment configurable seating assembly  502  is shown. The alternative embodiment configurable seating assembly  502  generally includes the components of the configurable seating assembly  102  with the addition of an upper chamber for receiving a wedge assembly  326  thereby defining a back support portion  504 . The back support portion  504  comprises a second top panel  520  that is generally rectangular and disposed generally parallel to the bottom panel  126 , and extends laterally between a second top edge  560  of the left panel  152  and a second top edge  576  of the right panel  168 , and forward from a rear edge  524  located at the back panel  150  toward a front edge  522 . A second front panel  534  is generally rectangular and extends laterally between a second front edge  164  of the left panel  152  and a second front edge  180  of the right panel  168 , and upwardly and rearwardly from the first top panel  114  to the second top panel  520  front edge  522  forming a back rest surface. 
         [0041]    The wedge assembly  326  includes a wedge body  328  having a bottom face  336  extending laterally between a left face  338  and a right face  340 , and rearward toward a rear face  332 . The rear face  332  extends upward generally perpendicular from the bottom face  336  between the left and right faces  338 ,  340  terminating at a top face  334 . The top face  334  is generally parallel to the bottom face  336  and extends laterally between the left and right faces  338 ,  340 , and forward to a front face  330 . The front face  330  extends upward from the bottom face  336  at an acute angle to the bottom face between the left and right faces  338 ,  340 , and extends rearward toward the top face  334  thereby defining a generally elongated wedge body  328 . When viewed from either the left face  338  or the right face  340 , the wedge assembly  326  tapers from a relatively wide lower portion to a relatively narrow upper portion. 
         [0042]    When the alternative embodiment configurable seating assembly  502  is used as a seating apparatus, the pad assemblies  302  are secured within the cover assembly  104 , and the wedge assembly  326  is secured within the upper chamber. The upper chamber is accessed by a panel  582 . The panel  582  is generally rectangular, and may be formed from the first top panel  114  or connected to a rear edge of the first top panel  114 . A panel  582  formed from the first top panel  114  extends laterally between a left edge at the left panel  152  and a right edge  588  at a right panel  168 , and rearwardly to a rear edge  584  at the back panel  150 . In an embodiment, the left edge  586 , rear edge  584 , and right edge  588  are connected to the left panel  152 , back panel  150 , and right panel  168 , respectively, by a cooperating removable connector, such as a zipper  590 , thereby providing an opening accessible from within the cover assembly  104  for inserting the wedge assembly  326  into the upper chamber. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated that the components of the seating assemblies  102  and  502  can be used for various other applications. Moreover, the seating assemblies  102  and  502  can be fabricated in various sizes and from a wide range of suitable materials, using various manufacturing and fabrication techniques. In an embodiment, the seating assemblies  102  and  502  include more or less than six pad assemblies and corresponding compartments. 
         [0044]    It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.