Patent Publication Number: US-7708342-B2

Title: Non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present intention relates to a non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat. More particularly, the present invention is a booster cushion seat comprising an outer portion having four sides, a substantially square bottom portion or base, and a depressed upper portion, the substantially square bottom portion or base having a textured surface to prevent slipping, and the booster cushion seat having a malleable filler material to as to permit the cushion to conform to the body shape of a user. The booster cushion seat is further provided with a safety belt to secure a juvenile user in place on the booster cushion seat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat comprising an outer portion having four sides, each of the four sides being comprised of a substantially trapezoid shaped panel, the largest side of each trapezoid shaped panel attaching to the bottom portion or base, a substantially square bottom portion or base, and a depressed upper portion which forms the central section of the booster cushion seat, the substantially square bottom portion or base having a textured surface, preferably with a rubber or similar texture, to prevent slipping when placed against a substantially flat surface, and the booster cushion seat having a malleable filler material to as to permit the cushion to conform to the body shape of a user or, more particularly, to the buttock area of a juvenile user. The depth of the depressed central section may be adjusted by varying the degree of tightness with which the strap is pulled and secured around the chair back. When the strap is pulled tightly around a chair back, the depressed central section is raised, and when the strap is secured in a loose fashion around a chair back, the depressed central section is lowered. Thus, the strap allows the user to be positioned higher, such as for greater visibility in a theater, or lower, to permit the user seated on a dining-type chair in combination with the booster cushion seat to fit under a dining table. Additionally, the degree of tightness may be altered to accommodate the size of the user. The strap may be pulled tighter to create a smaller depressed central section to accommodate a small child user or, alternatively, the strap could be secured in a more loose fashion to accommodate a larger user. In this way, the height of the cushion may be adjusted by adjusting the tension on the strap. Once the user is seated within the depressed central section of the booster cushion seat with the booster cushion seat conformed to the body of the user, the rearmost trapezoid shaped panel may provide a support for the user&#39;s lower back. The booster cushion seat is further provided with a safety belt comprising a nylon webbing or similar type material, which safety belt is adapted to secure a juvenile user in place on the booster cushion seat. The safety belt is substantially T-shaped, including a perpendicularly extending leg and a cross member. The perpendicularly extending leg of the T has a first and second end thereon, the first end being attached to the booster cushion seat at a point midway along one of the trapezoid shaped panels. The cross member of the T has a first and second end thereon. The first end of the cross member is provided with a female receiving member of a buckle, and the second end of the cross member is provided with a male member of a buckle. The female member of the buckle is adapted to receive the male member to secure the buckle in place. The cross member of the T-shaped safety belt is of sufficient length to encompass the torso of a toddler-aged child or other juvenile user. Additionally, the cross member of the safety belt preferably is provided with a means for adjusting the length of the belt to accommodate a growing child. Alternatively, the booster cushion seat could be sized to accommodate an adult user by lengthening the adjustable safety belt. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing the adjustable tabs in an open position. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing the adjustable tabs in a closed position around the back of a chair. 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing the non-slip textured base and showing the adjustable tabs in an open position. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing the adjustable tabs in an open position and the T-shaped belt in an open position. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing the booster cushion seat in position on a dining-type chair when viewing the chair from the front. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing the booster cushion seat in position on a dining-type chair when viewing the chair from the rear. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a rear view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat of the present invention showing a juvenile user positioned on the booster cushion seat with the T-shaped safety belt being disposed around the torso of the juvenile user. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  comprising a substantially square base  16  having four sides thereon and which is provided with a textured surface thereon to prevent the textured base from slipping when the textured base contacts another surface, such as a chair seat (not shown in this figure). The textured base is connected by a seam (not numbered) to four fabric sides  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . Each of the four fabric sides  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  is provided with a top edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a top edge (not numbered), and each of the four fabric sides  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  is attached at the bottom edge thereof to one of the four sides of the substantially square textured base  16 . Each of the fabric sides  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  tapers convergingly inward from the point where the side attaches to the textured base  16  to form a substantially trapezoid shape (not numbered). The first and second ends of each of the trapezoid shaped sides are joined to an adjacent side by a seam (not numbered) such that the first side edge of the fabric side  22  meets the second side edge of fabric side  28 , the first side edge of fabric side  24  meets the second side edge of fabric side  22 , the first side edge of fabric side  26  meets the second side edge of fabric side  24 , and the first side edge of fabric side  28  meets the second side edge of fabric side  26 . The top of each trapezoid shaped fabric side  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  is stitched to a central substantially circular portion which, when all portions are interconnected, forms a substantially pyramid-type shape with a depressed central section  30  which depressed central section  30  is adapted to receive the buttocks of a juvenile user or small adult user (not shown in this figure). Two fabric arms  18  and  20  are attached to the seam which joins fabric sides  22  and  28  and  24  and  22 , respectively. The fabric arms  18  and  20  are provided with a hook and loop or other type of fastening device  32  and  34 , respectively, at the ends thereof. A T-shaped safety belt comprising a horizontal leg  14  and a cross member  12 , and preferably made from a webbing-type strap material, is attached at a central location along the fabric side  22 . The cross member  12  may be inserted through the horizontal leg  14 , sewn onto the horizontal leg  14 , or otherwise connected to the horizontal leg  14 . The cross member  12  of the T-shaped safety belt has a first end and a second end (not numbered). The first end of the cross member  12  is provided with a female receiving member  36  of a commercially available buckle-type device. The second end of the cross member  12  is provided with a male member  38  of a commercially available buckle-type device, such that when the male member  38  is inserted into the female receiving member  36 , the cross member  12  is secured in a circular form adapted to encircle the waist or torso of the juvenile user or small adult user (not shown in this figure). The T-shaped safety belt may be alternatively provided with hook and loop, plastic or other type fasteners at each of its respective ends to secure the user adjustably on the booster cushion. The T-shaped safety belt may be provided with a means for lengthening the cross member  12  and/or the horizontal leg  14  of the T-shaped safety belt to permit customized adjustment to fit a plurality of users. The two fabric arms  18  and  20  are adapted to wrap around the back of a chair (or other seating) and connect by means of hook and loop fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively, (or other means). Thus, the arms  18  and  20  form a strap for the purpose of securing the booster cushion seat  10  on to the chair (or other seating) to further prevent slippage. When the booster cushion seat  10  is placed onto a surface, such as a chair (not shown in this figure), the fabric arms  18  and  20  wrap around the chair back (not shown in this figure), overlap each other at their respective ends, and the first hook and loop (or other type) fastener  32  contacts the second hook and loop (or other type) fastener  34  to secure the fabric arms  18  and  20  in place. The substantially square textured base  16  of the booster cushion seat  10  comprises a non-slip or textured surface (as indicated above) to prevent the booster cushion seat  10  from moving when placed in contact with a polished or “slick” surface such as a wooden chair, vinyl upholstered seat, or the like. The booster cushion seat  10  is filled with polystyrene beads or similar filling to create the feel and malleability of a bean bag. This filling permits the booster cushion to conform to the shape of the user, allowing the buttocks of the user to sink into the seat for greater stability and comfort. The booster cushion seat  10  is adapted for use by a juvenile user or a small adult and may be employed in a plurality of uses where a user desires to be elevated to a higher position, such as at the dinner table, in a restaurant booth/chair, or in a theater setting. 
     FIG. 2  shows a non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  having the strap formed by the two fabric arms  18  and  20  wrapped around the back of a chair  42  and connected by means of the hook and loop fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively, for the purpose of securing the booster cushion seat on to the chair. The booster cushion seat  10  is received on top of the chair seat  44  such that the textured base  16  of the booster cushion seat  10  contacts the chair seat  44 . The textured base  16  is adapted to prevent the booster cushion seat  10  from slipping when placed into contact with the chair seat  44  as indicated above. The fabric arms  18  and  20  wrap around the chair back  42 , overlap each other at their respective ends, and the first hook and loop fastener  32  contacts the second hook and loop fastener  34  to secure the fabric arms  18  and  20  in place around the chair back  42 . The depressed central section  30  (not shown in this figure) may be slightly elevated by tightening the strap, that is, by wrapping the fabric arms  18  and  20  in tight fashion and securing them in the tight position by means of the hook and loop fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively, to accommodate a smaller user. Conversely, the depressed central section  30  (not shown in this figure) may be further depressed by loosening the strap, that is, wrapping the fabric arms  18  and  20  in loose fashion and securing them in the loose position by means of the hook and loop fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively, to accommodate a larger user. Thus, the height of the cushion may be adjusted by adjusting the tension on the strap. 
     FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  having a substantially square shaped textured base  16 , as indicated above. A first fabric arm  18  is provided with a first hook and loop type fastener  32 , and a second fabric arm  20  is provided with a second hook and loop type fastener  34 . In this figure, the first and second fabric arms  18  and  20 , respectively, are in an unattached or loose position. 
     FIG. 4  shows a top view of the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  wherein the first and second fabric arms  18  and  20 , respectively, are in the unattached or loose position. A T-shaped safety belt comprising a horizontal leg  14  and a cross member  12  is shown in an open, extended position. The first end of the cross member  12  of the T-shaped safety belt is provided with a male member  38  of a commercially available type buckle. The second end of the cross member  12  of the T-shaped safety belt is provided with a female receiving member  36  adapted to receive the male member  38  to form a continuous loop around the waist or torso of a user (not shown in this figure). 
     FIG. 5  shows a perspective view taken from the front of a non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  placed on a dining-type chair  40 . The substantially square textured base  16  is in contact with the chair seat  44 . The fabric arms  18  and  20  (number  20  not shown in this figure) are engaged by means of their hook and loop type fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively (not shown in this figure), so that the fabric arms  18  and  20  form a strap encircling the chair back to secure the booster cushion seat  10  in place. 
     FIG. 6  shows a perspective view taken from the rear of a non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  placed on a dining-type chair  40 , the substantially square textured base  16  being in contact with the chair seat  44 . The fabric arms  18  and  20  are engaged by means of their hook and loop type fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively (not shown in this figure), the fabric arms  18  and  20  forming a strap encircling the chair back to secure the booster cushion seat  10  in place. 
     FIG. 7  shows a perspective view taken from the front of a non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  placed on a dining-type chair  40  with a juvenile user  46  seated atop the depressed central section  30 . The substantially square textured base  16  contacts the chair seat  44 . The fabric arms  18  and  20  are engaged by means of their hook and loop type fasteners  32  and  34 , respectively (not shown in this figure), the fabric arms  18  and  20  forming a strap encircling the chair back to secure the booster cushion seat  10  in place. The juvenile user or small adult user is seated atop the booster cushion seat  10  with her buttocks being received in the depressed central section  30  and her legs extending from the depressed central section  30  over the third (or front) fabric side  26  (not numbered in this figure). The horizontal leg  14  of the T-shaped safety belt extends upwardly form its origin on the fabric side  22  until the cross member  12  is brought to a point substantially level to the torso or waist of the user. The first and second ends of the cross member  12  are brought about the waist of the user to encircle the waist of the user and the male member  38  is inserted into the female receiving member  36  to secure the T-shaped safety belt in place. The booster cushion seat  10  is filled with polystyrene beads or alternate filler material such that the booster cushion seat  10  comprises a malleable shape which malleable shape is adapted to conform to the body of a user  46  when the user  46  is seated on the booster cushion seat  10  to provide maximum comfort, security, and stability to the user  46 . 
   While  FIGS. 1 through 7 , inclusive, depict the various positions which may be achieved with the non-slip body-conforming booster cushion seat  10  of the present invention, it should be apparent that other and further modifications of the present invention, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.