Patent ID: 7708338

Claim:
A climate controlled wheelchair assembly comprising: a chamber, wherein the chamber is enclosed to define an interior space, the chamber formed by a fluid impermeable layer, the chamber having a top side, a bottom side, and a peripheral edge between the top side and the bottom side, the top side of the chamber comprising a plurality of openings; a support structure positioned within the chamber, said support structure being configured to substantially maintain the shape of the chamber and to help permit the passage of fluid within the chamber; a fluid module configured to selectively provide fluid to the chamber, said fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device; a fluid inlet in fluid communication with both the chamber and the fluid module; a fluid distribution layer positioned adjacent to the first side of the fluid impermeable layer; a seat covering positioned along the fluid distribution layer, said seat covering comprising an air permeable material; wherein the fluid distribution layer is configured to generally distribute fluid exiting from the openings of the fluid impermeable layer toward the seat covering; a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid module and the fluid inlet, such that fluid is selectively delivered from the fluid module to the chamber; a battery configured to supply electrical power to the fluid module, wherein said battery is rechargeable; a support pad positioned adjacent to the second side of the fluid impermeable layer, said support pad comprising a support material; wherein the support pad is configured to provide support and comfort to an occupant of the wheelchair assembly; wherein the fluid impermeable layer and the fluid distribution layer are configured to selectively direct fluid flow to targeted regions of the wheelchair assembly; and wherein the fluid from the fluid module exits the chamber through the plurality of openings in the top side of the chamber.