Abstract:
A lighted cushion or cushion cover that can be used as a seating cushion on any of a variety of surfaces including chairs, stools, seats, sofas or the like providing the person sitting on surface a cushioned seat and having novelty lighting effects.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a cushion, and more particularly, to a seating cushion or a cushion cover that emits light. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Several designs for lighted seats or cushions have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include lights inside a cushion or cushion cover that can be used with a wide variety of chairs or other furniture. 
         [0005]    Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. published patent application No. 2006/0087165 filed by Armen Gharabegian. However, it differs from the present invention because the present invention can be used alone or may be an accessory to compliment a variety of chair designs or other seating structures whereas the Gharabegian device is structurally part of a chair. Therefore, the present invention may be stored and transported easier and can accessorize a wider variety of seats. The present invention also distinguishes itself by using a low-temperature light source eliminating the need for an active cooling means. 
         [0006]    Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a lighted cushion. 
         [0008]    It is another object of this invention to provide a lighted seat cushion that may be used with any of a wide variety of seating surfaces. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lighted cushion that emits light and provides a cushioning feature. 
         [0010]    It is another object of this invention to provide a lighted cushion that is easy to store, transport and use. 
         [0011]    It is an object of this invention to provide a lighted cushion cover that may be used with a commonly available cushion. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
         [0013]    Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of an embodiment of a lighted cushion on the seat of a typical, common chair. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a common chair cushion. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a common cushion cover. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a perspective view of an embodiment of a lighted cushion without a cushion cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of a lighted cushion shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a lighted cushion without a cushion cover. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lighted cushion cover, shown without a cushion. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a sample circuit diagram. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lighted cushion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, where the present device is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes a lighted cushion assembly  100  and a common chair  50 . In this view a cushion cover  102  and straps  104  are visible on the lighted cushion assembly  100 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  where the current state of the art is depicted comprising of, inter alia, a cushion  52  and a cushion cover assembly  54 . Said cushion cover assembly  54  may optionally include straps  56  to secure the cushion cover assembly  54  in place and an opening  58  where a cushion, such as the cushion  52  shown in  FIG. 2  or any of the other lighted cushion embodiments described in detail below, may be inserted or removed. Said opening  58  may be optionally closeable by means of a zipper, ties, snaps, clips or other suitable means commonly in use to secure a cushion inside the cushion cover assembly  54 . 
         [0026]    Said cushion  52  in common use today is often constructed of a single piece of foam or other material with padding properties. Said cushion cover assembly  54  may be made of any of a variety of fabrics, plastic, leather or other synthetic or natural materials. The material of the cushion cover assembly  54  may be selected to achieve a particular effect. For example, the material selected could be clear to show a lighted cushion unobstructed or may have any of a varied degree of opacity to diffuse the light emitted by a lighted cushion contained inside. Optionally the cushion cover assembly  54  may have perforations on the top and/or sides in a pre-selected pattern to permit light emitted from a lighted cushion to shine through more or less brightly through the pattern. 
         [0027]    Now referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  where an embodiment of a lighted cushion is shown to comprise, inter alia, a pad  106 , a pad  108 , a light assembly  110 , a console  116 , a switch  112 , switch  114 , wires  118 , light emitting diodes (LEDs)  120 , a battery  122  and a substrate  124 . The combination of said pad  106  and pad  108  among the other various components while in use is typically placed on surface intended to be used as a seat and provides, inter alia, a cushioning function. The lighted cushion may be dimensioned to fit onto any shaped seat, for example, rounded for a stool, substantially square for a chair, rectangular to be a couch or bench cushion or any other shape to conform to the dimensions of a surface to be sat upon. 
         [0028]    Optionally, the entire lighted cushion shown in  FIG. 4  may be placed inside of a cover to protect it. An example of a cover is shown in  FIG. 3 . If a cover is used it is preferably constructed of a material transparent enough to permit light to pass through it, for example a transparent plastic or thin fabric. 
         [0029]    Generally, said light assembly  110  is situated between said pad  108  and pad  106 . Said substrate  124  may be constructed from a thin layer of rigid or flexible plastic, paper, encapsulated air cell sheet, gel or similar material that can secure the position of said LEDs  120 , wires  118  and console  116  and optionally may provide some degree of cushioning itself. Said light assembly  110  may be transparent or opaque and may have a reflective coating between the lower pad  108  and the LEDs  120  to reflect any light emitted by the LEDs  120  toward the upper pad  106 . 
         [0030]    Integral to said light assembly  110  are, inter alia, said LEDs  120 , wires  118  and console  116 . Said console  116  further comprises a battery  122 , switch  112  and switch  114 . One or multiple LEDs  120  are affixed to the substrate  124  in a predetermined pattern, for example a grid, concentric rings, lines, arcs, an icon or image or any other two dimensional design. In this embodiment of the light assembly  110  said switch  114  turns the electrical circuit on and off and said switch  112 , optionally present, adjustably varies the current passing through the wires  118  and LEDs  120  to produce an effect such as varying the color or intensity of light produced by the LEDs  120 , patterns of illumination or other similar effects. Said wires  118  connect the LEDs  120  to each other and to the console  116 . Optionally, alternate means to generate light, other than the LEDs  120 , may be used and examples could include incandescent lights, florescent lights, phosphorescent lights or any other light technology that is suitable to be used to produce light as a part of the lighted cushion. In some applications of the lighted cushion it may be preferable to substitute said battery  122  with a hard-wired electrical source such as a common household wall power receptacle to avoid the necessity of periodically replacing said battery  122 . 
         [0031]    Said pad  106  is preferably transparent enough to permit light generated by the LEDs  120  to penetrate and be visible through said pad  106 . Said pad  108  may optionally be made of a material that is not transparent to reduce the costs of the pad  108 . The combination of pad  106  and pad  108  provide a cushioning function to provide increased comfort to a person sitting on the lighted cushion. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  demonstrates an embodiment of a lighted cushion comprised of, inter alia, a pad  150 , a light assembly  152 , light emitting diodes (LEDs)  154 , wires  156 , a console  158 , a switch  160 , a battery  162 , a switch  164  and a substrate  166 . The combination of said pad  150  and light assembly  152 , among the other various components, is typically placed on surface intended to be used as a seat and provides, inter alia, a cushioning function. The lighted cushion may be dimensioned to fit onto any shaped seat, for example, rounded for a stool, substantially square for a chair, rectangular to be a couch or bench cushion or any other shape to conform to the dimensions of a surface to be sat upon. 
         [0033]    Optionally, the entire lighted cushion shown in  FIG. 6  may be placed inside of a cover to protect it. An example of a cover is shown in  FIG. 3 . If a cover is used it is preferably constructed of a material transparent enough to permit light to pass through it, for example a transparent plastic or thin fabric. 
         [0034]    Generally, said light assembly  152  is situated on top of said pad  150 . Said substrate  166  may be constructed from a thin layer of rigid or flexible plastic, paper, encapsulated air cell sheet, gel or similar material that can secure the position of said LEDs  154 , wires  156  and console  158  and optionally may provide some degree of cushioning itself. Said light assembly  152  may be transparent or opaque and may have a reflective coating between the pad  150  and the LEDs  154  to reflect any light emitted by the LEDs  154  away from the pad  150 . 
         [0035]    Integral to said light assembly  152  are, inter alia, said LEDs  154 , wires  156  and console  158 . Said console  158  further comprises a battery  162 , switch  164  and switch  160 . One or multiple LEDs  154  are affixed to the substrate  166  in a predetermined pattern, for example a grid, concentric rings, arcs, an icon or image or any other two dimensional design. In this embodiment of the light assembly  152  said switch  164  turns the electrical circuit on and off and said switch  160 , optionally present, adjustably varies the current passing through the wires  156  and LEDs  154  to produce an effect such as varying the color or intensity of light produced by the LEDs  154 , patterns of illumination or other similar effects. Said wires  156  connect the LEDs  154  to each other and to the console  158 . Optionally, alternate means to generate light, other than the LEDs  154 , may be used and examples could include incandescent lights, florescent lights, phosphorescent lights or any other light technology that is suitable to be used to produce light as a part of the lighted cushion. In some applications of the lighted cushion it may be preferable to substitute said battery  162  with a hard-wired electrical source such as a common household wall power receptacle to avoid the necessity of periodically replacing said battery  162 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a cover assembly  200  comprised of, inter alia, a side panel  202 , a console  204 , a switch  206 , a battery  208 , a switch  210 , straps  212 , a zipper  214 , wires  216 , light emitting diodes (LEDs)  218 , bottom panel  220  and a top panel  222 . A typical use of said cover assembly  200  employs a common cushion (for example, foam rubber, air bladder or other cushioning material) that is placed inside the cover assembly  200 , closed by means of a zipper  214  (or other suitable closing means such as ties, magnets, hook and loop, tape, adhesive or other commonly used means) and is placed on surface intended to be used as a seat and provides, inter alia, a cushioning function. The lighted cushion cover may be dimensioned to fit onto any shaped seat, for example, rounded for a stool, substantially square for a chair, rectangular to be a couch or bench cushion or any other shape to conform to the dimensions of a surface to be sat upon. 
         [0037]    Said top panel  222  is preferably constructed of a flexible material that permits at least some of the light generated by the LEDs  218  to penetrate the top panel  222  and be visible from outside of the cover assembly  200  when closed. For example, said top panel  222  could be made of a transparent plastic, thin fabric or other light penetrable material. Said side panel  202  and bottom panel  220  may optionally be constructed of the same material as the top panel  222  but may also be made of an alternate flexible and durable material such as, for example, cloth, leather or plastic. Said straps  212  are positioned and dimensioned to be able to tie the cover assembly  200  to a chair or other seating surface onto which the cover assembly  200  is placed for use. 
         [0038]    Generally, said LEDs  218  and wires  216  are affixed to the underside of the top panel  222  so that they are inside of the cushion assembly  200  during use. One or multiple LEDs  218  are affixed to the top panel  222  in a predetermined pattern, for example a grid, concentric rings, arcs, an icon or image or any other two dimensional design. Said LEDs  218  and wires  216  may be secured to said top panel  222  by stitches, adhesive or any other means to maintain the relative position of the LEDs  218  and wires  216  on the top panel  222 . Optionally, said top panel  222  may have a reflective coating fitted under the LEDs  218  to reflect light emitted by the LEDs  218  through the top panel  222 . 
         [0039]    Affixed to said bottom panel  220  are, inter alia, said wires  216  and console  204 . Said console  204  further comprises a battery  208 , switch  206  and switch  210 . Said switch  206  turns the electrical circuit on and off and said switch  210 , optionally present, adjustably varies the current passing through the wires  216  and LEDs  218  to produce an effect such as varying the color or intensity of light produced by the LEDs  218 , patterns of illumination or other similar effects. Said wires  216  connect the LEDs  218  to each other and to the console  204 . Optionally, alternate means to generate light, other than the LEDs  218 , may be used and examples could include incandescent lights, florescent lights, phosphorescent lights or any other light technology that is suitable to be used to produce light as a part of the cover assembly  200 . In some applications of the cover assembly it may be preferable to substitute said battery  208  with a hard-wired electrical source such as a common household wall power receptacle to avoid the necessity of periodically replacing said battery  208 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  represents a sample of a wiring diagram that may be employed in any of the variations or embodiments of lighted cushions or cover assemblies disclosed herein and comprises, inter alia, a battery  250 , a switch  252 , a switch  254  and light emitting diodes (LEDs)  256 . Said switch  252  completes a circuit and turns the circuit on or off. Said switch  254 , optionally present, adjustably varies the power passing through the circuit and LEDs  256  to produce an effect such as varying the color or intensity of light produced by the LEDs  256 , patterns of illumination or other similar effects. Said LEDs  256  are optionally wired in parallel or series. Optionally, alternate means to generate light, other than the LEDs  256 , may be used and examples could include incandescent lights, florescent lights, phosphorescent lights or any other light technology that is suitable to produce light. In some applications of the lighted cushion it may be preferable to substitute said battery  250  with a hard-wired electrical source such as a common household wall power receptacle to avoid the necessity of periodically replacing said battery  250 . 
         [0041]    Now referring to  FIG. 9  where an embodiment of a lighted cushion is shown to comprise, inter alia, a pad  350 , a light assembly  352 , light emitting diodes (LEDs)  354 , wires  356 , a console  358 , a switch  360 , a battery  362 , a switch  364  and a substrate  366 . The combination of said pad  350  and light assembly  352 , among the other various components, is typically placed on surface intended to be used as a seat and provides, inter alia, a cushioning function. The lighted cushion may be dimensioned to fit onto any shaped seat, for example, rounded for a stool, substantially square for a chair, rectangular to be a couch or bench cushion or any other shape to conform to the dimensions of a surface to be sat upon. 
         [0042]    Optionally, the entire lighted cushion shown in  FIG. 9  may be placed inside of a cover to protect it. An example of a cover is shown in  FIG. 3 . If a cover is used it is preferably constructed of a material transparent enough to permit light to pass through it, for example a transparent plastic or thin fabric. 
         [0043]    Generally, said light assembly  352  is situated on top of said pad  350 . In this embodiment said substrate  366  may be constructed from an encapsulated air cell sheet (colloquially referred to as “bubble wrap”) that can secure the position of said LEDs  354 , wires  356  and console  358  and provides some degree of cushioning itself. Said light assembly  352  may be transparent or opaque and may have a reflective coating between the pad  350  and the LEDs  354  to reflect any light emitted by the LEDs  354  away from the pad  350 . 
         [0044]    Integral to said light assembly  352  are, inter alia, said LEDs  354 , wires  356  and console  358 . Said console  358  further comprises a battery  362 , switch  364  and switch  360 . One or multiple LEDs  354  are affixed to the substrate  366  in a predetermined pattern, for example a grid, concentric rings, arcs, an icon or image or any other two dimensional design. In this embodiment of the light assembly  352  said switch  364  turns the electrical circuit on and off and said switch  360 , optionally present, adjustably varies the current passing through the wires  356  and LEDs  354  to produce an effect such as varying the color or intensity of light produced by the LEDs  354 , patterns of illumination or other similar effects. Said wires  356  connect the LEDs  354  to each other and to the console  358 . Optionally, alternate means to generate light, other than the LEDs  354 , may be used and examples could include incandescent lights, florescent lights, phosphorescent lights or any other light technology that is suitable to be used to produce light as a part of the lighted cushion. In some applications of the lighted cushion it may be preferable to substitute said battery  362  with a hard-wired electrical source such as a common household wall power receptacle to avoid the necessity of periodically replacing said battery  362 . 
         [0045]    The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.