Abstract:
A portable, personal seating barrier constructed of panels, capable of demarcating an individual seating space while also blocking out sensory stimuli from other people in close proximity, is described. In certain embodiments, the panels retract and expand telescopically, through hinging, folding down through a locking or other hinge type mechanism or other folding means, into an easily portable device that can be used in a variety of settings, such as public buses, trains, airplanes, classrooms. The device is free-standing in that it need not be physically attached to any structure, and thus provides a seat and a privacy/sensory barrier from others.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/515,368 filed Aug. 5, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Studies have shown that most people value their personal space, find physical proximity to be psychologically and in some cases physically disturbing and uncomfortable, and feel discomfort, anger, anxiety and other effects when their personal space is encroached or they are over stimulated because of crowded conditions. In addition, studies have shown that heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance increase when people are in crowded spaces or spaces that they anticipate will become crowded where they have little or no control over maintaining their personal space and level of stimulation. Public places are often crowded and are becoming more so. In public places where seating is available, individual seating spaces are often not demarcated or are demarcated but not physically divided. Often people will encroach into what is intended to be the space of the person seated next to them. Theatres, sporting events, institutions of formal education and testing, and governmental service locations are a few of the many examples of public places with crowded seating conditions. Public transportation vehicles are also examples of public spaces that are often crowded, with crowded seating conditions. Subways, cars, airplanes, trains, buses, and other modes of public transportation often allow little space for each individual. For example, in many subway cars, the seats are of a bench style. Though each individual space is often marked in some manner, often no armrests, dividers, or barriers exist between individual seating spaces, or if they do, they are often inadequate to ensure that each person remains within one space and does not encroach physically, or in some other manner, on the space of the person beside them. One seated passenger may eat, engage in personal grooming, cough, sneeze, physically rub against, stare, and otherwise provide unwanted stimuli to the person beside whom they are seated. There have even been cases of passengers urinating on bench seats with the urine running onto the seat and person seated next to them and of passengers vomiting and bleeding on passengers seated beside them. 
         [0003]    People with diagnosed and undiagnosed disorders or conditions (or both) that compromise the brain&#39;s ability to process and integrate certain information received from the body&#39;s five basic sensory systems can be especially impacted by having to sit in close proximity to others or in crowded situations, or both. Such sensory processing and integrative problems, comprising but not limited to learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, stress-related disorders, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and brain injury are found in many children and adults. In some cases, people with at least one of these conditions or disorders are not capable of being in situations where the person is likely or certain to be in the conditions described above. This can mean that these people are unable to conduct certain activities, for example use public transportation. Because many of these people are also unable to drive, this lack of ability to have control over the proximity or stimulation in the crowded seating situation renders them without affordable, reliable transportation, greatly limiting their employment and other opportunities. People without these disorders and conditions are usually sensitive to stimulation created by people in close physical proximity, even though some are not consciously aware of the effects. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The instant disclosure is directed to a personal seating barrier that can block or lessen certain sensory stimuli and demarcate and preserve individual space. In some embodiments, such a personal seating barrier may comprise a portable seat with at least one attached divider that can simultaneously provide privacy and block out stimuli. In some embodiments, the personal seating barrier may be foldable in a manner which facilitates travel and ease of use in a variety of locations. In some embodiments, a separate carrying case may be provided with the personal seating barrier. 
         [0005]    An exemplary embodiment of the disclosed personal seating barrier may comprise: a device for providing portable seating comprising: at least one horizontal panel section and at least one vertical panel section constructed so as to be pivotally joined by a folding means, wherein the at least one horizontal panel section constructed so as to serve as the seat portion of the device, wherein at least one vertical panel section constructed so as to serve as a barrier. 
         [0006]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one vertical panel section is attached to opposite sides of the at least one horizontal panel section. 
         [0007]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one vertical panel section and the at least one horizontal panel section further comprises a polymer material, said polymer material constructed so as to provide structure to the device. 
         [0008]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the polymer material is bioresistant. 
         [0009]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the structure is selected from a group comprising a rigid polymer and a semi-rigid polymer. 
         [0010]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the device is constructed so as to fold into a unitary portable structural unit. 
         [0011]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one horizontal panel section is further constructed so as to include at least one individual panel, grooved sections and cut out handles, said individual panels constructed so as to connect through a locking telescoping mechanism. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one vertical panel section and at least one horizontal panel section further comprise a hybrid cloth material, the hybrid cloth material constructed so as to provide structure to the device. 
         [0013]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the hybrid cloth material is bioresistant. 
         [0014]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one horizontal panel section is further constructed so as to include individual panels. 
         [0015]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one horizontal panel section includes grooved sections. 
         [0016]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one horizontal panel section includes cut out handles. 
         [0017]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one horizontal panel section is constructed so as to connect through a locking telescoping mechanism. 
         [0018]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one vertical panel section includes grooved sections. 
         [0019]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one vertical panel section includes a cut out handle. 
         [0020]    According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one vertical panel section is constructed so as to connect through a locking telescoping mechanism. 
         [0021]    The foregoing summary should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appended hereto. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit or the scope of such claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable personal seating barrier in a fully extended position, in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portable personal seating barrier in a partially extended position, in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portable personal seating barrier in a collapsed position, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a portable personal seating barrier in a collapsed position, in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The instant disclosure is directed to a portable personal seating barrier. The portable personal seating barrier comprises at least one panel configured to block out sensory stimuli from other people in close proximity and at least one folding means configured to interconnect the panels. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed portable personal seating barrier may be configured to utilize any number of panel sections interconnected by at least one folding means, and embodiments of the instant disclosure are contemplated for use with any number of panel sections and folding means. 
         [0027]    According to an embodiment, each panel may be comprised of at least one locking telescoping mechanism or other collapsing means provided to allow for the collapsing and expanding of the panels. Locking telescoping means include, but are not limited to, tab/detent means, friction fit means, friction locking means, pin locking means and locking hinge means. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of locking telescoping means that could be utilized with portable personal seating barriers as disclosed herein, and portable personal seating barriers as disclosed herein are contemplated for use with any locking telescoping means. 
         [0028]    According to an embodiment, in a collapsed state, the panels allow for portability and stowage of the device. In an expanded state, the panels allow for stimuli reduction. Embodiments may also allow each panel to be individually expanded or collapsed to allow the user to customize the barrier to his or her body type, needs, and surroundings. Further, embodiments of the disclosed personal portable seating barrier may allow each panel to be partially expanded and for each panel to be partially collapsed, thereby further enhancing the customization options, such as in cases where size limitations may restrict full expansion of at least one the panels. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of collapsing means that could be utilized with embodiments of the disclosed personal portable seating barrier, and although the embodiments disclosed herein focus on the use of a locking telescoping mechanism, the alternative collapsing means may be substituted therefore without departing from the spirit or the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0029]    According to some embodiments, the folding means may be configured to allow the device to collapse into a compact state for portability and stowage purposes. Folding means include, but are not limited to, active and passive hinges and other hinged means, hook and loop means, bendable material means, and bolt and pin means. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous folding means that could be utilized with the disclosed portable personal seating barrier, and the disclosed embodiments are contemplated for use with any type of folding means. 
         [0030]    According to some embodiments, the device may be further configured to provide a seating portion. The seating portion may be configured to not only provide comfortable seating to the user, but also to provide stability and control over the entire device. By way of example, without limitation, when a user of the device is seated on the seating portion, the side panel(s) of the device may be stabilized by the weight of the user. 
         [0031]    According to some embodiments, at least one of the panels may further comprise a handle element. The handle element is configured to allow the user of the device to easily transport the device when in a collapsed state or otherwise. Such a handle element may be cut out of at least one of the panels, or such handle element may be fixedly or removably attached thereto. 
         [0032]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , device D includes two panel sections  1  and  2  pivotally joined by a folding means  3 . A horizontal rigid panel section  1  serves as a seat portion of device D. Section  1  includes individual panels  1   a , each of which comprises grooved sections  1   b  and cut out handles  1   c . Panels  1   a  are connected through a locking telescoping mechanism  1   d . Vertical rigid panel section  2  serves as a barrier portion of the device D, and includes individual panels  2   a , each of which comprises grooved sections  2   b  and cut out handles  2   c . Panels  2   a  are connected through a locking telescoping mechanism  2   d.    
         [0033]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , device D can be made portable by retracting panels  1   a  and  2   a  telescopically using the telescoping features  1   d  and  2   d.    
         [0034]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , device D is illustrated in an L shape. Alternatively, the orientation of the device D could be that of a backward L shape. In some embodiments, Device D may also include a second vertical section on the opposite side of horizontal section  1  from the vertical section  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , thereby forming a U shape when the portable personal seating barrier is deployed. In some embodiments, a plurality of L shaped devices could be deployed, thereby forming a U-shaped barrier, extending the size of the zone protected by the portable personal seating barriers, or the like. 
         [0035]    According to some embodiments, at least one carrying strap may be attached to the panels for ease of carry when not in use. Such a carrying strap may be permanently or removably attached to the panels by way of premade holes, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or other such means. Panels can be of different colors or designs, and may be covered with stickers, fabric, or other material for hygienic, personalization, comfort, or other purposes. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a gel cushion, padding, or other material may be provided with the portable personal seating barrier, thereby enhancing the comfort of the user. In some embodiments, at least one of the panels used for the seat portion may comprise a gel cushion, foam pad, or other such material to allow the panel to conform to the underlying seat, thereby enhancing stability and comfort. In some embodiments, at least the lower surface seat portion may be coated with silicone rubber or other “non-skid” material. 
         [0036]    As should be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, there are many readily available locking hinge type mechanisms that could serve as a folding means  3 . They include, but are not limited to, infinite variable friction joints, friction catches, latch mechanisms, tooth catches, ratchet hinges, riveted angle brackets, clamp locks, bar and hook locks, and 180 degree hinges. In embodiments deploying such hinge type mechanism, the folding means may be locked into place via said locking hinge type mechanisms. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous locking hinge type mechanisms that could be utilized with the disclosed portable personal seating barrier, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of locking hinge type mechanism. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the panel sections  1  and  2  of device D, and their individual panels  1   a  and  2   a , are made of a semi-rigid plastic polymer material. In some embodiments, such a material may be inherently bioresistant, or may be treated with at least one surface coatings that provide such bioresistance. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that there are numerous materials that could be utilized for the various components of disclosed embodiments, and the disclosed embodiments are contemplated for use with any construction material. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, instead of a locking telescoping mechanism, panels  1   a  could be connected through a hinge-type mechanism, and panels  2   a  could also be connected through a hinge-type mechanism. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the dimensions of the seat barrier are such that the device D may fit into commercial or public transit vehicles with ease. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill, such dimensions may vary. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the overall dimensions of panels  1   a  and  2   a , when in a collapsed state, is approximately 14 in. wide and 11 in. long. Additional sub-panels can be added to both the horizontal section  1  and vertical section  2 , depending on preference and need. 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3-4 , an exemplary embodiment of a personal seating barrier (device D) is shown in a fully collapsed state. In these figures, all of the vertical panels  2  and horizontal panels  1  of device D are lowered into a collapsed state and retained in a folded position by folding means  3 . In this state, the device D is configured to take up as little space as possible and thereby becoming easily transportable and storable where necessary. 
         [0041]    While multiple embodiments of the portable personal seating barrier are disclosed herein, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The portable personal seating barrier disclosed herein is capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.