Patent Publication Number: US-2015061331-A1

Title: Breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant disclosure relates to a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children; in particular, to a ventilating breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As parents make preparation to bring their children on a car ride, child safety seats are likely to be part of the preparation. However, conventional child safety seats tend to lead children to perspiration after a prolong period of use due to poor breathability of the seat, which further leads to dampened clothing on children and the possibility of catching a cold if for example a child was hit by cold wind. In other case, children may feel stuffy or uncomfortable due to poor breathability and thus affect other passengers in the car. 
     Conventional child safety seats have breathable structure yet passive breathable designs, such as forming air permeable openings, to improve air ventilation. However, the level of ventilation is not apparent. Moreover, current safety seats do not have heater, music player functionalities which can provide a comfortable riding environment for children. 
     To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children having active ventilation is provided to prevent stuffiness, uncomfortable, and unwanted perspiration due to poor breathability. 
     The instant disclosure also provides a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children having heating and music or broadcast playback functionalities to provide a comfortable riding environment. 
     The instant disclosure also provides a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children, which includes a seat body having a plurality of receiving grooves longitudinally arranged thereon; a plurality of air conduits respectively disposed in the receiving grooves and each air conduit having a plurality of air outlets arranged thereon; an air permeable body enclosing a surface of the seat body; a fan module having a casing and at least one fan blade pivotally coupled to and arranged in the casing, wherein the fan module is in air communication with the air conduits; and a heater configured inside or outside the fan module. 
     The instant disclosure also provides a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children, which includes a seat body having a plurality of receiving grooves longitudinally arranged thereon; a plurality of air conduits respectively disposed in the receiving grooves with each air conduit having a plurality of air outlets arranged thereon; an air permeable body enclosing a surface of the seat body; a fan module having a casing and at least one fan blade pivotally coupled to and arranged in the casing, wherein the fan module is in air communication with the air conduits; and an playback device arranged on the fan module or the seat body. 
     The instant disclosure also provides a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children, which includes a seat body having a plurality of receiving grooves longitudinally arranged thereon; a plurality of air conduits respectively disposed in the receiving grooves with each air conduit having a plurality of air outlets arranged thereon; an air permeable body enclosing a surface of the seat body; and a fan module having a casing and at least one fan blade pivotally coupled to and arranged in the casing, wherein the fan module is in air communication with the air conduits. 
     The instant disclosure also provides a breathable seat cushioning and seating device for children, which includes a seat body having a plurality of receiving grooves longitudinally arranged thereon, and a front side of the seat body having an air permeable portion in air communication with the receiving grooves; a plurality of air conduits respectively disposed in the receiving grooves and each air conduit having a plurality of air outlets arranged thereon; a fan module having a casing and at least one fan blade pivotally coupled to and arranged in the casing, wherein the fan module is in air communication with the air conduits; and a heater configured in or out of the fan module. 
     The instant disclosure provides the following improvements: 
     The plurality of air conduits are disposed in the seat body and connected to the fan module, in which when the fan module is in operation, airflow is diverted to the seat body and the permeable body, such that active ventilation is provided to the seat body and the air permeable body. Preferably, when a child is seating on the breathable seat cushioning device of the instant disclosure, the active ventilation can prevent stuffiness, uncomforting, and unwanted perspiration due to poor breathability. 
     The heater can provide warm air flow if preferred, especially during colder weather to provide children with comfortable riding environment. The heater is arranged on the fan module such that a single modular design is provided to facilitate assembly and repair. 
     The playback device can provide music or broadcast playback functionalities to provide children with comfortable riding environment. The playback device is arranged on the fan module such that a single modular design is provided to facilitate assembly and repair. 
     In order to further understand the instant disclosure, the following embodiments and illustrations are provided. However, the detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure, rather than limiting the scope being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a breathable seat cushioning device for children in accordance with a first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is another exploded view according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembled view according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view illustrating a partial structure of the breathable seat cushioning device for children in accordance with a second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the breathable seat cushioning device for children in accordance with a third embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the breathable seat cushioning device for children in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the breathable seat cushioning device for children in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the instant disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  is an assembled view according to  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The instant disclosure provides a breathable seat cushioning device for children which includes a seat body  1 , a plurality of air conduits  2 , an air permeable body  3 , and a fan module  4 . 
     The seat body  1  is preferably but not limited to flexible components, which can be made of foam in order to provide comfortable seating. The seat body  1  has a plurality of receiving grooves  11  longitudinally arranged thereon. The receiving grooves  11  are arranged from an upper end of the seat body  1  to a lower end of the seat body  1 . The receiving grooves  11  collectively have an overall shape that is configured to align with the contour of the seat body  1  via curve and straight line designs. The seat body  1  may further have a plurality of guiding grooves  12  laterally arranged thereon and transversely arranged with respect to the receiving grooves  11 . 
     The air conduits  2  are preferably but not limited to flexible components. Each of the air conduits  2  has a plurality of spaced apart air outlets  21  arranged thereon. The air outlets  21  run through inner wall and outer wall of the air conduit  2 . The air conduits  2  can be disposed in the receiving grooves  11  of the seat body  1 . However, the air conduits  2 , the receiving grooves  11 , and the guiding grooves  12  forming a guiding flow structure is not limited to the example provided herein and similar alternatives. Preferably, air flow generated by the fan module  4  can be guided towards the seat body  1  and the air permeable body  3 . For example, other types of air tubes, guiding grooves or openings can be arranged to guide the air flow generated by the fan module  4  to the seat body  1  and the air permeable body  3 . Each air conduit  2  has an upper end and a lower end which may have a first coupling portion  22  arranged thereon. 
     The air permeable body  3  is an air permeable component made of woven or non-woven materials. The air conduits  2  are respectively disposed in the receiving grooves  11  of the seat body  1 , and the air permeable body  3  covers one surface of the seat body to conceal the seat body  1  and the air conduits  2 . 
     The fan module  4  is air communicable with the air conduits  2 . The fan module  4  can be centrifugal or axial flow type fans, but the type and structure of the fans are not limited to the examples provided hereto. The fan module  4  of the instant embodiment has a casing  41  connected to a plurality of air supplying conduits  42 . One end of each air supplying conduit  42  has a second coupling portion  43  arranged thereon. The first coupling portion  22  and the second coupling portion  43  are corresponding male and female connectors. The second coupling portions  43  can be connected to the first coupling portions  22  at the upper ends or the lower ends of the air conduits  2 , such that the fan module  4  is in air communication with the air conduits  2 . When the fan module  4  is in operation, suctioned air flow is generated and diverted to the air supplying conduits  42 , and then provided to the air conduits  2 . However, the structure of the connection between the air conduits and the fan module  4  is not limited hereto. The air conduits  2  can be connected to the fan module  4  via other types of connectors or air flow guiding structures, such that air flow generated by the fan module  4  is diverted to the air conduits  2 . Moreover, the fan module  4  may have an adaptor receptacle  44  arranged thereon to couple to plugs or connectors of external electrical transmitting devices. 
     The fan module  4  may further be electrically connected to an electrical transmitting device  5  in order to provide preferred electrical power or serve as electrical adapter for the fan module  4 . Specifically, the electrical transmitting device  5  can be a vehicle adapter  51  which is connected to a transmission cable  52 , such as an electrical wiring, and a connector  53 . The connector  53  can be mated, for example plugging in, to the adaptor receptacle  44  of the fan module  4 . The vehicle adapter  51  can be mated, for example plugging in, to the cigarette lighter receptacle in a vehicle in order to transmit sufficient electricity to the fan module  4 . The electrical transmitting device  5  can also be a rechargeable battery  54  which is connected to a transmission cable, such as an electrical wiring, and a connector  56 . The connector  56  can be mated, for example plugging in, to the adaptor receptacle  44  of the fan module  4  as the rechargeable battery  54  transmits sufficient electricity to the fan module  4 . However, the type and structure of the electrical transmitting device  5  is not limited hereto, and can be solar powered battery or other types of electrical transmitting devices. 
     The instant disclosure can further include a rear drapery  6 , which is disposed on and covering a surface of the seat body  1  opposite the air permeable body  3  in order to conceal the seat body  1  and increase aesthetic value. 
     When the fan module  4  is in operation, air flow is conveyed towards the air conduits  2 , flows through the air conduits  2 , further exits through the air outlets  21 . The air flow can also travels through the receiving grooves  11  and the guiding grooves  12 , and in turn permeates through the air permeable body  3  of the breathable seat cushioning device for children in the instant disclosure. Moreover, as the seat body  1  has the laterally arranged guiding grooves  12 , air flow can be diverted to other portions of the seat body  1 , which increases the surface area of regions where airflow has traveled in the seat body  1 , thus increasing permeability during seating. 
     The plurality of air conduits  2  of the instant disclosure are disposed in the seat body  1  and are connected to the fan module  4 . The fan module  4  in operation provides airflow, whereas the air conduits  2  diverts airflow to the seat body  1  and the air permeable body  3 , such that active ventilation is provided to the seat body  1  and the air permeable body  3 . Preferably, when a child is seating on the breathable seat cushioning device of the instant disclosure, the active ventilation can prevent stuffiness, uncomfortable, and unwanted perspiration due to poor breathability. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4 . The fan module  4  of the instant embodiment has a casing  41  and at least one fan blade  45  pivotally coupled to the casing  41 . The blades  45  are centrifugal fan blades. When the blades  45  are in rotation, air is sucked into the air supplying conduits  42 , and further directed to the air conduits  2 . In the instant embodiment, a heater  7  is further included which can be an electric heater or similar types of heat generating devices. The heater  7  is installed within or outside of the fan module  4 . Namely, the heater  7  is installed within the casing  41  of the fan module  4 . The heater  7  can also include a heat generating member  71  and at least one thermally conducting fin  72  connected to the heat generating member  71 . The heating generating member  71  can be a ceramic heating element, through which air is heated via the heater  7  such that heated air flow is provided to the breathable seat cushioning device of the instant disclosure and further provides warmth and comfort to children during each seating in a relatively cold environment. Moreover, the heater  7  is installed on the fan module  4  to provide a single modular design which facilitates assembly and repair. 
     Furthermore, the instant disclosure further provides a playback device  8  installed on the fan module  4  or the seat body  1 . Namely, the playback device  8  can be installed on the casing  41  of the fan module  4 . The playback device  8  can be a multimedia audio-visual playback device (such as MP3, MP4, MP5, etc). The playback device  8  can also include a built-in speaker  81 , which facilitates playback of music, broadcast, etc. The playback device  8  has a media interface  82  which can be USB slots or other types of memory slot. The media interface  82  of the instant disclosure is a memory slot, in which a memory card  83  can be inserted. The media interface  82  can be used to read digital music, broadcast, or similar types of files, and playback music or broadcast via the playback device  8 , such that music or broadcast can be provided to the breathable seat cushioning device of the instant disclosure. In addition, the playback device  8  can be installed on the fan module  4  in order for a single modular design which facilitates assembly and repair. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5 . The playback device  8  in the instant embodiment is connected to an external speaker  85  via a transmission cable  84 . The transmission cable  84  can be installed in the receiving grooves  11  in order to facilitate proper installment of the external speakers onto the seat body  1  and provide users with music or broadcast entertainment. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 6 . In the instant embodiment, a sound guiding tube  9  is included which is disposed in some of the receiving grooves  11 . The sound guiding tube  9  can be a graphite tube or similar type of tubes having sound guiding properties. One end of the sound guiding tube  9  is connected to the built-in speaker  81  of the playback device  8 , such that music or broadcast playback from the built-in speaker  81  can be transferred from one end of the sound guiding tube  9  to another end of the sound guiding tube  9 , which facilitates playback. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The instant embodiment provides a breathable seat cushioning device including a seat body  1 , a plurality of air conduits  2 , a fan module  4 , and a heater  7 . The seat body  1  has a plurality of receiving grooves  11  longitudinally arranged thereon. The seat body  1  also has a plurality of guiding grooves  12  laterally arranged thereon and transversely arranged with respect to the receiving grooves. Front side of the seat body  1  has an air permeable portion  13 , which is an air permeable component and air communicable with the receiving grooves  11 . The air permeable portion  13  is made of, for example, woven or non-woven materials but not limited hereto. 
     Each of the air conduits  2  has a plurality of air outlets  21  arranged thereon. The air conduits  2  are disposed in the receiving grooves  11  of the seat body  1 . The heater  7  includes a heat generating member  71  and at least one thermally conducting fin  72  connected to the heat generating member  71 . The heater  7  is installed within or outside the fan module  4 . The instant embodiment also includes a playback device  8  installed on the fan module  4  or the seat body  1 . The fan module  4  is electrically connected to an electrical transmitting device  5  in order to provide preferred electrical power or serve as electrical adapter for the fan module  4 . The electrical transmitting device  5  can be a vehicle adapter  51  which is connected to a transmission cable  52 . One end of the transmission cable  52  is connected to the fan module  4 . The vehicle adapter  51  can be mated, for example plugging in, to the cigarette lighter receptacle in a vehicle in order to transmit the sufficient electricity to the fan module  4 . In the instant embodiment, the seat body  1  has a frame body  14  disposed therein. The fan module  4  and the heater  7  are disposed and fixed in the frame body  14 . A back side of the seat body  1  may have a detachable rear panel  15  fixed thereon by screws or similar types of securing method. The rear panel  15  has a plurality of air inlets  151  arranged thereon to facilitate air inflow. 
     The figures and descriptions supra set forth illustrated the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, combinations or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.