Patent ID: 7665803

Claim:
A climate controlled seat assembly comprising: an outer frame positioned at least in part along an outer perimeter of a backrest portion or a seat bottom portion of the seat assembly, said outer frame having a front side and a rear side; at least one layer of a fabric at least partially spanning across at least a portion of the outer frame, generally along the front side of the outer frame; and a panel member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the panel member generally positioned along the rear side of the outer frame, the panel member comprising: a substantially air tight seal with the outer frame, the panel member and the fabric defining an interior cavity therebetween; wherein the seat assembly is cushion-less, so that the interior cavity extends throughout an entire depth between the panel member and the fabric; at least one opening extending from the first surface to the second surface of the panel member; and at least one channel positioned along the first surface of the panel member and generally away from the at least one layer of fabric, the channel defining a passageway, the passageway being in fluid communication with the opening and comprising a plurality of orifices in communication with the interior cavity; wherein fluid delivered into the passageway from the opening is generally distributed within the interior cavity through the plurality of orifices and through fabric toward a seated occupant.