WO2016025776A1

WO2016025776A1 - Ventilated motorcycle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2016025776A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/045164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert P. JENSEN; Randy A. MESSNER; William R. Parnis
Original assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company, A Unit Of Jason Incorporated; Check Corporation
Priority date: 2014-08-13
Filing date: 2015-08-13
Publication date: 2016-02-18

Abstract

A ventilated motorcycle seat having a perforate cooling pad provided by a ventilation air diffuser pad having an outwardly extending flexible integrally formed ventilation air communicating duct in gas flow communication with a common air mover carried by a base or pan of the seat three dimensionally formed with ventilation air duct routing channels or passages. A preferred ventilated motorcycle seat has a ventilated saddle provided by a diffuser pad and can have a ventilated pillion provided by a second rearwardly spaced air diffuser pad both in air flow communication with a common air mover that preferably is a fan or blower. A preferred cooling pad is a multilayer multi-chamber diffuser pad having at least one and preferably a plurality of ventilation air flow promoting and collapse preventing layers of perforate fabric mesh disposed therein.

Description

VENTILATED MOTORCYCLE SEAT

FIELD

[0001] The present invention is directed to a ventilated seat and more particularly to a ventilated vehicle seat assembly well suited for use in ventilated motorcycle seats.

[0002] The present invention also is directed to a ventilated seat and cooling pad for a ventilated seat employing an offset and/or low-profile ventilated seating duct.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Heated and ventilated automobile seats have enjoyed widespread commercial success in the past by providing improved seat occupant comfort by enabling a seat occupant to heat the seat when cold and cool the seat when hot. While heated seats have been around for several years, ventilated seats and seats equipped with both heating and ventilation have not been around as long.

[0004] An example of a ventilated chair that has enjoyed considerable commercial success to date is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,003,950. The ventilated chair disclosed in the '950 has a ventilated seat cushion and a ventilated backrest cushion that each employ a bellows-type duct directly underlying a perforate cooling pad with the duct in air-flow communication with a fan that cools by sucking air through the cooling pad, through the duct, and exhausting the air below or rearwardly of the seat. While the ventilated chair disclosed in the '950 patent has enjoyed considerable commercial success, improvements nonetheless remain desirable.

[0005] What is needed is a seat ventilation system for lower cost and more compact seating applications. What is also needed is a seat ventilation system that is well suited for off-road vehicle seating applications. What is also needed is a ventilated motorcycle seat.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention is directed to a ventilated vehicle seat that preferably is a ventilated motorcycle seat, a seat ventilation system that is particularly well suited for use in a ventilated motorcycle seat, a perforate cooling pad that preferably is a multilayer, multiple chamber ventilation air diffusing pad capable of use in a negative pressure e.g., suction type, ventilation system and in a positive pressure, e.g. forced air type, ventilation system, and a motorcycle seat base, pan and cushion three dimensionally formed with one or more ventilation air duct routing channels or passages through which ventilation air ducting can be routed to produce a ventilated motorcycle seat in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of such a seat ventilation system, perforate ventilation air diffuser pad, and ventilated motorcycle seat constructed in accordance with the present invention, air is conveyed through at least one perforate outer seat occupant supporting surface of the seat where the air flows through a cooling pad that preferably is a ventilating air diffuser pad having an integral outwardly extending flexible ventilation air communicating duct in gas flow communication with a ventilation air moving fan mounting mounted to a seat base or pan of the ventilated seat in which ventilation air duct routing channels or passages are formed that register with corresponding ventilation air duct routing channels or passages formed in a seat cushion attached to the seat base or pan.

[0007] A cooling pad that is a ventilation air diffusing pad constructed in accordance with the present invention has an offset or sideways extending bendable ventilation air duct that can be flexibly routed through routing channels or passages in seat pan and cushion while also producing a diffuser pad supported by a cushion of the ventilated seat that can be a foam cushion. Such a preferred cooling pad is a multilayer multi-chamber ventilation air diffusing pad having a plurality of layers of a three dimensional perforate mesh that not only facilitates ventilation air flow through each diffusing pad chamber during ventilation system operation but which also functions as a spacer that opposes collapse thereof from seat occupant weight and suction ventilation air flow advantageously maintaining optimal ventilated motorcycle seat operation.

[0008] A preferred ventilated seat is a ventilated motorcycle seat constructed in accordance with the present invention has at least one ventilation air diffuser pad carried by the driver seat saddle forming a ventilated saddle that is ventilated when fan draws ventilation air therethrough cooling the motorcycle driver. Another preferred ventilated motorcycle seat has a plurality of fore-aft longitudinally spaced apart perforate diffuser pads with a forwardly located one of the diffuser pads providing a ventilated driver seat saddle and a rearwardly located one of the diffuser pads providing a ventilated pillion upon which a passenger or rider can sit. A preferred ventilated vehicle seat constructed in accordance with the present invention is a ventilated motorcycle seat having at least a ventilated driver seat portion and which can have both a ventilated driver seat portion and ventilated driver seat portion in air flow communication with a single fan or blower mounted underneath the motorcycle seat. DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0009] One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a ventilated motorcycle seat constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view depicting a ventilated motorcycle seat assembly of the ventilated motorcycle seat of FIG 1 ;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a ventilated air conducting diffuser bag used in the ventilated motorcycle seat of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred diffuser bag assembly used to form the diffuser bag shown in FIG. 3;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first diffuser bag subassembly of the preferred diffuser bag assembly shown in FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second diffuser bag subassembly of the preferred diffuser bag assembly shown in FIG. 4; and

[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the assembled diffuser bag shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a ventilated seat 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention that preferably is a ventilated vehicle seat 42 and more preferably is a ventilated motorcycle seat 44. As is shown in Figure 1, where ventilated seat 40 is a ventilated motorcycle seat 44, the ventilated seat 40 has at least one ventilation region 46a and/or 46b disposed in and/or forming at least a portion of a corresponding seat occupant supporting surface 48a and/or 48b each of which preferably is of gas permeable construction to enable movement of air therethrough during ventilated seat operation to ventilate each seat occupant (not shown) sitting thereon. As is further depicted in Figure 1, ventilated seat 40 has an outer surface 50 that preferably is formed of or otherwise includes a common seat cover 52 in which one or both ventilation regions 46a and/or 46b are disposed.

[0019] The ventilated seat 40 shown in Figure 1 is a ventilated vehicle seat 42 in the form of a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 configured to substantially simultaneously receive, support and ventilate a plurality of spaced apart seat occupants (not shown) thereon with the ventilated seat having a first seat occupant supporting region 48a equipped with a first gas permeable ventilation region 46a and a second seat occupant supporting region 48b equipped with a second gas permeable ventilation region 46b. Where ventilated seat 42 is a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 constructed in accordance with the present invention, the first seat occupant supporting region 48a is a driver seat supporting region 54a, e.g. seat saddle, which is equipped with air permeable driver ventilation region 56a, e.g., ventilated seat saddle 58, and the second seat occupant supporting region 48b is a passenger or rider seat supporting region 54b, e.g., pillion, which is equipped with air permeable passenger or rider ventilation region 56b, e.g., ventilated pillion 60.

[0020] With continued reference to Figure 1, seat cover 52 can be and preferably is of cut-and- sew construction with each ventilation region 46a and/or 46b being integrally formed as part of cover 52. Where the seat cover 52 is a ventilated motorcycle seat cover, the ventilated motorcycle cover preferably is configured with at least one ventilation region 46a and can be configured with a plurality of fore-aft spaced apart ventilation regions 46a and 46b where the ventilated motorcycle seat cover is intended to be used with a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 equipped with both a ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60. Where a ventilated motorcycle seat constructed in accordance with the present invention lacks a pillion or any type of a passenger or rider seating surface, such a ventilated motorcycle seat cover is configured with only a single ventilation region 46a that overlies and/or forms at least a portion of a ventilated driver seat saddle 60 of such a single seat occupant ventilated motorcycle seat.

[0021] Cover 52 preferably is formed of conventional generally impermeable covering material 62, such as leather, vinyl, fabric or the like, in those portions of the seat not ventilated, e.g. where ventilation is not required, with each ventilation region 46a and/or 46b attached to the conventional covering material 62 such as by sewing, heat sealing, radio frequency welding or bonding, adhesive bonding, or the like. Each ventilation region 46a and/or 46b can be formed of perforate gas permeable material, such as a perforate air permeable mesh, e.g., woven nylon mesh, a perforate air permeable fabric, or a perforate air permeable cloth that can form part of or otherwise overlie a perforate cooling pad 65 that preferably is ventilated air diffusing distributor 71 like the diffuser pads 70a and/or 80b shown in Figure 2 disposed in fluid flow communication with a ventilation air source that preferably is a ventilation air mover 74.

[0022] Where the ventilated seat 40 is a ventilated vehicle seat 42, such as in the form of a ventilated motorcycle seat 44, ventilation air mover 74 preferably is an axial flow box-type fan 76 disposed onboard a vehicle, preferably motorcycle, to which the ventilated seat is mounted with the fan 76 being electrically powered thereby. In one preferred embodiment, ventilation air mover 74 is disposed onboard ventilated seat 40. In another preferred embodiment, ventilation air mover 76 is an axial flow box-type fan 76 mounted inside ventilated seat 40 as discussed in more detail below. In a still further preferred embodiment, ventilation air mover 76 can be a suction device, preferably a radial type fan, of the configuration or type shown and disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,003,950, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a preferred ventilated seat assembly 68 in accordance with the invention that includes at least one ventilated air diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b in gas flow communication with air mover 74 that preferably is an axial box fan 76 carried by a ventilated seat base 78 preferably formed of a substantially rigid plastic or metal ventilated seat pan 80 that is uniquely three dimensionally formed or contoured to facilitate intake, routing and/or discharge of ventilation air using air mover 74 to ventilate each diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b during ventilated seat operation. If desired, one or both diffuser pads 70a and/or 70b can be in the form of a flexible perforate volume-expandable ventilation air distributing bag 72a and/or 72b as discussed in more detail below.

[0024] Where the ventilated seat 40 is a ventilated motorcycle seat 44, ventilated seat pan 80 preferably is elongate, oblong and longitudinally oriented in a fore-aft direction relative to a longitudinal extent of the vehicle, i.e., motorcycle, to which the ventilated motorcycle seat 44 is attached. Where the ventilated motorcycle seat 44 is configured for both a driver and passenger, ventilated seat pan 80 carries a plurality of diffuser pads 70a and 70b spaced apart from one another in the fore-aft direction as depicted in Figure 2. Likewise, ventilation regions 46a and 46b are also spaced apart in a fore-aft direction relative to the vehicle, i.e., motorcycle, to which ventilated motorcycle seat 44 is mounted such that driver ventilation region 46a, i.e. ventilated saddle 58, is spaced from passenger or rider ventilation region 46b, i.e., ventilated pillion 60, in a fore-aft direction with driver ventilation region 46a disposed forwardly of passenger or rider ventilation region 46b in a front-to-back spaced apart arrangement.

[0025] With continued reference to Figure 2, ventilated seat assembly 68 preferably is a ventilated motorcycle seat assembly 69 having a resiliently deformable compliant layer 79 overlying ventilated seat pan 80 with compliant layer 79 preferably formed of an elongate oblong-shaped fore-aft longitudinally extending seat cushion 82, such as a compressible and/or resiliently deformable cushion made of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, or the like. While each diffuser pad 70a and 70b is shown in Figure 2 as being disposed between seat pan 80 and seat cushion 82, each diffuser pad 70a and 70b preferably instead is carried by corresponding longitudinally or fore-aft spaced apart driver and passenger supporting portions 84 and 86 of cushion 82.

[0026] Where formed as part of seat cover 52, diffuser pads 70a and 70b integrally form a corresponding one of seat ventilation regions 46a and 46b, thereby also integrally forming a respective one of driver and passenger ventilation regions 56a and 56b of one preferred embodiment of a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 constructed in accordance with that shown in Figure 1. Where formed as part of seat cover 52, diffuser pads 70a and 70b can be joined to generally impermeable material 62 of cover 52 to form a ventilated seat cover, preferably a ventilated motorcycle seat cover, in accordance with the invention where the ventilated seat cover, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat cover, has at least one diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b joined thereto thereby also forming part of the cover 52. If desired, a layer of perforate or air permeable material can cover, can be joined to, and/or can otherwise overlie each diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b of such a ventilated seat cover, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat cover.

[0027] Such a ventilated seat cover, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat cover, constructed in accordance with the present invention is attached during ventilated seat assembly, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat assembly, by wrapping or placing the ventilated cover over and/or around seat cushion 82 and anchoring the ventilated cover to seat pan 80. Once placed over and around cushion 82, ventilated seat cover, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat cover, is then anchored to pan 80 in a manner that fixes the ventilated cover, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat cover, thereto, such as by attachment to pan 80 using fasteners, staples, hook-and-loop fastener arrangement, adhesive attachment or another cover attachment arrangement. Once attached to seat pan 80, such a ventilated seat cover, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat cover, forms one preferred embodiment of a ventilated seat 40 that preferably is a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 having at least one ventilation region 46a and/or 46b, preferably thereby having at least one of a driver and passenger ventilation region(s) 56a and/or 56b, formed by corresponding diffuser pad(s) 70a and/or 70b, in air flow communication with respective ventilation region(s) 46a and/or 46b, preferably in airflow communication with corresponding driver and passenger ventilation region(s) 56a and/or 56b, such as by underlying respective ventilation region(s) 46a and/or 46b, e.g., underline corresponding driver and passenger ventilation region(s) 56a and/or 56b.

[0028] In another preferred seat cover embodiment, seat cover 52 is not a ventilated seat cover but rather is a ventilating seat cover formed with one or more sections of perforate or air permeable mesh, fabric or cloth attached to impermeable covering material 62 that will overlie respective diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b when the ventilating seat cover, preferably ventilating motorcycle seat cover, is placed over and around seat cushion 82 and anchored to seat pan 80 forming another preferred embodiment of a ventilated seat 40, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, of the present invention having at least one ventilation region(s) 46a and/or 46b, preferably having at least one of a driver and passenger ventilating region(s) 56a and/or 56b. In such a ventilating seat cover, each diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b is disposed between the cover 52 and cushion 82. In such a ventilating seat cover, each diffuser pad 70a and/or 70b underlies a corresponding perforate or gas permeable mesh, fabric or cloth section of cover 52 thereby forming respective ventilation region(s) 46a and/or 46b, preferably thereby forming

corresponding driver and/or passenger ventilation region(s) 56a and/or 56b, producing a preferred embodiment of a ventilated vehicle seat 42, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, constructed in accordance with the present invention made with such a ventilating seat cover.

[0029] As previously indicated, while each diffuser pad 70a and 70b and air bag 72a and 72b is depicted in Figure 2 as being disposed between seat pan 80 and seat cushion 82, each diffuser pad 70a and 70b and air bag 72a and 72b instead preferably are carried by corresponding driver and passenger supporting portions 84 and 86 of cushion 82. In such a preferred ventilated seat 40, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, both the seat pan 80 and seat cushion 82 are formed, preferably three dimensionally contoured, in a manner that facilitates routing of ventilated air flow and/or ducting of one or more of diffuser pad(s) 70a and/or 70b, thusly air bag(s) 72a and/or 72b to produce such a ventilated seat 40, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, compliant layer 79, preferably cushion 82, has at least one ventilated air duct routing channel 88a, 88b that each preferably is a duct routing conduit 90a, 90b formed in cushion 82 extending completely through cushion 82 and each of which can have a generally rectangular cross-section that enables routing of a corresponding ventilation air communicating duct 92a, 92b therethrough that each respectively extends from ventilation air mover 74, preferably fan 76, to at least one and preferably a corresponding one of the diffuser pads 70a, 70b or air bags 72a, 72b. Each ventilated air duct routing channel 88a, 88b, preferably each duct routing conduit 90a, 90b, preferably extends completely through complaint layer 79, preferably completely through cushion 82, from a bottom 81 to a top 83 and/or outer surface 85 thereof. Seat base 78, preferably seat pan 80, also has at least one ventilated seat air duct routing channel 94a, 94b that each preferably is a duct routing conduit 96a, 96b formed in pan 80 extending completely through pan 80 and that enables routing of corresponding ventilation air communicating duct 92a, 92b from air mover 74, preferably fan 76, through respective routing channel 88a, 88b, preferably routing conduit 90a, 90b, in cushion 82 to a corresponding one of the diffuser pads 70a, 70b or air bags 72a, 72b.

[0031] In a preferred ventilated motorcycle seat assembly and assembly method, a ventilated motorcycle seat 46 constructed in accordance with the invention includes at least a ventilated driver seat saddle 58 having a driver ventilation air duct routing channel 88a formed in seat cushion 82 disposed in registry with driver ventilation duct routing channel 94a formed in seat base 78 when cushion 82 is placed over the base 78 during a ventilated motorcycle seat assembly step. This enables driver ventilation air duct 92a to be routed through the substantially aligned channels 88a and 94a in a subsequent ventilated motorcycle seat assembly step connecting the driver diffuser pad 70a to air mover 74 enabling ventilation air to flow from air mover 74 to driver diffuser pad 70a during ventilated motorcycle seat operation. Where the driver ventilation air duct routing channel 88a formed in cushion 82 is a conduit 90a formed as a through passage or through bore that extends completely through cushion 82 and the duct routing channel 94a formed in seat base 78 is a conduit 96a formed as a through passage or through bore that extends completely through seat base 78, attachment of cushion 82 to seat base 78 during one ventilated seat assembly step substantially aligns conduits 90a and 96a thereby enabling duct 92a to be inserted therethrough during a subsequent ventilated motorcycle seat assembly step.

[0032] Driver diffuser pad 70a preferably is carried by seat cushion 82 with diffuser pad 70a preferably disposed on an outer top surface of cushion 82. In one ventilated motorcycle seat embodiment, the diffuser pad 70a is received in a recess (not shown) formed in the generally concave driver- supporting portion 84 of cushion 82, such as to enable an outer top surface of diffuser pad 70a to be substantially flush with the rest of cushion 82 surrounding the diffuser pad 70a when ventilated motorcycle seat assembly is completed. In a preferred diffuser pad embodiment, the driver ventilation air duct 92a extends outwardly from the driver diffuser pad 70a and preferably is integrally formed as part of diffuser pad 70a as discussed in more detail below. Where driver diffuser pad 70a is a component separate from outer seat cover 52, diffuser pad 70a preferably is disposed between cushion 82 and seat cover 52 when seat cover 52 is subsequently attached in a further ventilated motorcycle seat assembly step that can and preferably does complete assembly of ventilated motorcycle seat 46.

[0033] Where the ventilated motorcycle seat 46 includes a ventilated pillion 60, ventilated seat base 78 includes a passenger ventilation air duct routing channel 94b formed therein and the seat cushion 82 includes a passenger ventilation air duct routing channel 88b formed therein. During assembly of such a ventilated motorcycle seat 46 equipped with a ventilated pillion 60, passenger air duct routing channel 88b formed in cushion 82 is disposed in registry with passenger ventilation air duct routing channel 94b formed in seat base 78 when cushion 82 is placed over the base 78 during the seat cushion assembly step thereby subsequently enabling passenger ventilation air duct 92b to be routed through substantially aligned channels 88b and 94b connecting passenger diffuser pad 70b to air mover 74. Where the passenger ventilation air duct routing channel 88b of cushion 82 is a conduit 90b formed as a through passage or through bore that extends completely through cushion 82 and the passenger ventilation air duct routing channel 94b of seat base 78 is a conduit 96b formed as a through passage or through bore that extends completely through seat base 78, assembly of cushion 82 onto seat base 78 substantially aligns conduits 90b and 96b enabling duct 92b to be inserted therethrough during a subsequent ventilated motorcycle seat assembly step.

[0034] Passenger diffuser pad 70b also is carried by seat cushion 82 with diffuser pad 70b preferably also disposed on an outer top surface of cushion 82. In one ventilated motorcycle seat embodiment, the diffuser pad 70b is received in a recess (not shown) formed in the rearwardly- extending passenger supporting portion 86 of cushion 82, such as to enable an outer top surface of diffuser pad 70b to be substantially flush with the rest of cushion 82 surrounding the diffuser pad 70b when ventilated motorcycle seat assembly is completed. In a preferred diffuser pad embodiment, the passenger ventilation air duct 92b extends rearwardly outwardly from the passenger diffuser pad 70b and preferably is integrally formed as part of diffuser pad 70b as discussed in more detail below. Where passenger diffuser pad 70b is a component separate from outer seat cover 52, diffuser pad 70b preferably is disposed between cushion 82 and seat cover 52 when seat cover 52 is attached in a further ventilated motorcycle seat assembly step.

[0035] Passenger diffuser pad 70b preferably is carried by cushion 82 with diffuser pad 70b preferably disposed on an outer top surface of cushion 82. In one preferred embodiment, diffuser pad 70b is received in a recess formed in a passenger-underlying pillion base of cushion 82 such as to enable an outer top surface of diffuser pad 70b to be substantially flush with the rest of the surrounding order surface of cushion 82 when ventilated seat assembly is completed. Where diffuser pad 70b is a component separate from outer seat cover 52, diffuser pad 70b preferably is disposed between cushion 82 and seat cover 52 when seat cover 52 is subsequently attached.

[0036] With continued reference to Figure 2, the seat base 78, preferably seat pan 80, is formed with a generally concave driver-underlying saddle recess 98 that includes a generally upraised outer saddle cantle support 102 that underlies a correspondingly upraised rearwardly disposed cantle-forming portion 104 of the seat cushion 82 as shown in Figure 2 with these portions of pan 80 and cushion 82 cooperating with one another to produce a motorcycle seat having a generally concave driver seat saddle 54a within upraised driver-supporting cantle 106 extending around and defining a rear edge or boundary of the saddle 54a, such as depicted in Figure 1. Air mover 74 is carried by seat base 78 and disposed adjacent upraised cantle support 102 such that ventilation air discharged from air mover 74 flows through driver ventilation air duct 92a into driver diffuser pad 70a underlying a driver in the saddle 54a that distributes the air upwardly through the driver ventilation region 56a ventilating and cooling the driver thereby producing ventilated motorcycle seat saddle 58.

[0037] Air mover 74, preferably fan 76, is mounted to part of the seat pan 80 disposed adjacent and preferably alongside cantle support 102 having a discharge or outlet in air flow

communication with driver ventilation air duct 92a. Air mover 74, preferably fan 76, is mounted to the cantle support 102 such that an intake of the air mover 74, preferably fan 76, is interiorly disposed within the ventilated motorcycle seat 46.

[0038] In the preferred motorcycle seat embodiment shown in Figure 2, air mover 74, preferably fan 76, is mounted to an interior, rearwardly, and generally downwardly facing part of cantle support 102 thereby orienting the discharge or outlet of the air mover 74, preferably fan 76, in a fore-aft forwardly facing direction that generally faces forwardly toward the ventilated seat saddle 58. As is also depicted in Figure 2, air mover 74, preferably fan 76, is mounted to cantle support 102 with the discharge or outlet of the air mover 74, preferably fan 76, disposed in registry with and substantially coaxial to driver ventilated air duct routing channel 94a, preferably driver ventilated air duct routing conduit 96a, facilitating fluid flow coupling with the driver ventilation air duct 92a during ventilated motorcycle seat assembly.

[0039] Where a ventilated motorcycle seat constructed in accordance with the present invention also has a ventilated pillion 60, the upraised cantle support 102 serves not only as an anchor or mount for air mover 74, preferably fan 76, but also is generally centrally located between the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 thereby generally centrally locating air mover 74, preferably fan 76, advantageously enabling use of a single air mover 74, preferably a single fan, to provide seat ventilation air to both the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60. As such, a preferred embodiment of a ventilated motorcycle seat 46 constructed in accordance with the present invention that is equipped both with a ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 utilizes only a single air mover 74, preferably a single fan 76, to provide ventilation air to both the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 during ventilated motorcycle seat operation. In such a preferred ventilated motorcycle seat embodiment having both a ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 whose ventilation air is provided by a single air mover 74, preferably a single fan 76, ventilation air preferably is provided by the single air mover 74, preferably single fan 76, substantially simultaneously to both the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 during ventilated motorcycle seat operation.

[0040] Where such a ventilated vehicle seat 42, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, constructed in accordance with the present invention has both a ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pinion 60, the concave saddle-forming recess 98 of the three dimensionally contoured seat pan 80 is separated from a passenger-underlying pillion bed 108 by upraised saddle cantle support 102. As previously discussed, seat base 78 carries air mover 74, disposing the air mover 74 adjacent and preferably alongside the saddle cantle support 102. Where the air mover 74 is a fan 76, preferably an axial box fan, the fan 76, can be and preferably is disposed in a pocket 110 recessed into an outer or top edge of the cantle support 102 of the pan 80 that can be in communication with or even form part of ventilation air duct routing channel 94b with fan 76 mounted to cantle support 102 as depicted in Figure 2. With continued reference to Figure 2, the fan 76 is mounted to a surface of cantle support 102 that faces rearwardly away from a front of the ventilated vehicle seat 42, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, which therefore faces rearwardly away from a front of the vehicle, preferably thereby facing rearwardly away from a front of the motorcycle, to which the ventilated seat 42, preferably ventilated motorcycle seat 44, is mounted. In in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, fan 76 can be mounted to a generally downwardly rearwardly facing interior surface of the cantle support 102 with the cantle support 102 being inclined at an acute angle relative to horizontal as further depicted in Figure 2.

[0041] Where the ventilated vehicle seat 42 is a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 configured with both a ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60, air mover 74, preferably fan 76, is carried by seat base 78, preferably seat pan 80, at or adjacent saddle cantle support 102 locating the air mover 74, preferably fan 76, interjacent the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 advantageously enabling a single air mover 74, preferably fan 76, to supply ventilation air to both the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60. In other words, such a preferred ventilated motorcycle seat 44 constructed in accordance with the present invention utilizes only a single air mover 74, preferably is therefore equipped with only a single fan 76, which is generally centrally located between ventilation regions 46a, 46b, preferably thereby generally centrally located between driver and rider ventilation regions 56a, 56b, and more preferably thereby generally centrally located between the ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60. During ventilated motorcycle seat operation, ventilation air can be and preferably is substantially simultaneously supplied by the single air mover 74, preferably single fan 76, to both diffuser pads 70a, 70b, thereby causing ventilation air to flow through, from and out of both diffuser pads 70a, 70b respectively to and through ventilated saddle 58 and ventilated pillion 60 at the same time thereby substantially simultaneously cooling both the driver and passenger seated on the ventilated motorcycle seat 44.

[0042] With additional reference to Figures 3-7, each ventilated air diffusing distributor 71 used in a ventilated seat 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention, including a ventilated vehicle seat 42, such as ventilated motorcycle seat 44 depicted in Figures 1-2 preferably is a ventilation air distributing diffuser pad 70a constructed in accordance with that depicted in Figures 3-7 and described in more detail herein. While Figures 3-7 illustrate a preferred but exemplary diffuser pad 70a, identifying the same using reference 70a, diffuser pad 70b shown in Figure 2 preferably is constructed substantially the same as diffuser pad 70a depicted in Figures 3-7 and discussed below.

[0043] Diffuser pad 70a preferably has a generally triangular shape that is particularly well suited for use with a fore-aft extending elongated and longitudinally oriented ventilated motorcycle seat 44 as the generally triangular shape of diffuser pad 70a provides an air permeable ventilation region 46a and/or 46b, e.g., driver ventilation region 56a and/or rider or passenger ventilation region 56b, which is straddled between the legs of a seat occupant supported thereon. In other words, the generally triangular shape of diffuser pad 70a provides a driver ventilation region 56a, e.g., ventilated seat saddle 58, which underlies the buttocks and groin area of a driver of a motorcycle equipped with ventilated motorcycle seat 44 such that the driver straddles the driver ventilation region 56a thereby straddling the ventilated seat saddle 58 with one leg of the driver disposed along one side of diffuser pad 70a, ventilation region 56a, and ventilated seat saddle 58, and the other leg of the driver disposed along an opposite side of diffuser pad 70a, ventilation region 56a, and ventilated seat saddle 58. Where a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 constructed in accordance with the present invention is equipped with a ventilated rider or passenger seat supporting surface, e.g., ventilated pillion 60, diffuser pad 70a preferably also a generally triangular shape that is particularly well suited for use with such a ventilated pillion 60 enabling the rider or passenger to straddle passenger ventilation region 56b thereby straddling diffuser pad 70b and ventilated pillion 60 in a manner similar to that of the driver discussed hereinabove.

[0044] With continued reference to Figures 3-7, a preferred diffuser pad 70a constructed in accordance with the present invention has an integrally formed ventilation air communicating duct 92a extending outwardly from the pad 70a that preferably is constructed of a plurality of layers of the pad 70a with the duct 92a integrally formed during manufacture or assembly of the pad 70a. With specific reference to Figure 3, diffuser pad 70a has a perforate air diffusing layer 112 that defines an outer surface 114 on an outer ventilating side 116 of the pad 70 and an imperforate layer 118 defining an outer surface 120 on a side 122 of the pad 70 opposite the ventilating side 116 joined substantially completely about an outer periphery 124, e.g. at or adjacent an outer peripheral edge, of both outer layers 112 and 118 forming a bag 124 through which ventilation air is conveyed during ventilated motorcycle seat operation. Depending upon the direction of flow of air via operation of air mover 74, preferably fan 76, (a) air can be discharged therefrom positively pressurizing the pad 70a causing air inside bag 124 to be discharged through the perforations in perforate outer air diffusing layer 112 ventilating and preferably cooling a seat occupant overlying pad 70a, or (b) suctioned thereby negatively pressurizing the pad 70a sucking air through the perforations in perforate outer air diffusing layer 112 ventilating and cooling seat occupant overlying pad 70a.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates a preferred diffuser pad assembly and method of making such a preferred diffuser pad constructed in accordance with the present invention where the diffuser pad 70a is formed of a plurality of overlapping or stacked diffuser pad subassemblies 126 and 128 that can be and preferably are assembled separately before the subassemblies 126 and 128 are assembled to one another to form a finished diffuser pad 70a constructed in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, diffuser pad 70a is formed of a ventilation air diffusing or distributing subassembly 126 shown in Figure 5 that provides an outer perforate ventilation air distributor or diffuser 130 that overlies and is joined in the manner depicted in Figure 6 by an airtight seal 132 to a ventilation air conducting subassembly 128 shown in Figure 6 forming a ventilation air conducting bag 134 along with integral ventilation air delivery duct 92a extending outwardly inline therefrom. In one such preferred diffuser pad embodiment and method of making a diffuser pad, the ventilation air diffusing or distributing subassembly 126 is assembled or put together before the ventilation air conducting subassembly 128 is attached to the ventilation air diffusing or distributing subassembly 126 in completing making of a diffuser pad 70a constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0046] Figure 5 illustrates a first or outer perforate ventilation air flow diffusing subassembly 126 that is formed of generally triangular outer perforate air diffusing layer 112 joined by an airtight seal 136, preferably a heat seal, about its periphery to a generally triangular substantially imperforate airbag wall-forming layer 138 sandwiching therebetween an inner air- void maintaining spacer 140 made of a perforate mesh layer 142 of three dimensional construction having a layer thickness preferably at least as great as one or both of the outer layers 112, 138 of subassembly 126. Instead of or in addition to the use of airtight seal 136 that preferably is a heat seal to join layers 112 and 138 together about substantially their entire periphery, layers 112 and 138 can also be joined together by stitching or sewing them together also about substantially their entire periphery. Perforate diffusing layer 112 preferably is made of a flexible, substantially air impervious material, such as preferably vinyl, which is perforated about substantially completely about or along its entire surface with at least a plurality of pairs, i.e. at least three, of holes or perforations 144 facilitating substantially uniform conduction of air therethrough during ventilated motorcycle seat operation to help ensure more uniform ventilation across substantially the entire perforate air diffusing surface of diffuser pad 70a. Substantially imperforate airbag- wall forming layer 138 has a generally triangular sheet-like body 148 made of a flexible, substantially air impervious material, such as preferably vinyl, from which an elongate air impervious imperforate ventilation air duct forming tongue 150 extends outwardly.

[0047] The sheet- like body 148 of inner air bag- wall forming layer 138 has at least a plurality, preferably at least a plurality of pairs, i.e. at least three, of spaced apart ventilation air

distribution ports 152 disposed in board and adjacent the tongue 150. In a preferred embodiment, the perforate mesh layer 142, e.g. fabric mesh or mesh fabric, has a thickness greater than at least one of the outer layers 112, 138 of subassembly 126 with the three-dimensional mesh structure of the mesh layer 142 not only forming at least a plurality of pairs, i.e. at least three, of air-filled voids between outer layers 112, 138 that facilitates ventilation air flow therethrough during ventilated motorcycle seat operation but which also helps maintain the voids during ventilated motorcycle seat operation by functioning as a spacer that spaces apart outer layers 112, 138 during ventilated motorcycle seat operation. To help facilitate more uniform ventilation flow therethrough during ventilated motorcycle seat operation, the ventilation air distribution ports 152 each have a width or diameter greater than the width or diameter of each one of the holes or perforations 144 formed in outer perforate diffusing layer 112 of diffuser pad 70a. In a preferred embodiment, each one of the ventilation air distribution ports 152 has a width or diameter at least twice as great or large than the width or diameter of the holes or perforations 144 formed in perforate diffusing layer 112. During ventilation operation, the internal air voids formed by the perforate mesh 142 sandwiched between layers 112 and 138 helps maintain ventilation air flow through the distribution ports 152 formed in airbag wall forming layer 138 and the holes or perforations 144 formed in perforate diffusing layer 112 even when ventilation is accomplished through suction by sucking air from exteriorly of the ventilated motorcycle seat 46 into and through the diffuser pad 70a during ventilated motorcycle seat operation.

[0048] Figure 6 illustrates attachment of a second diffuser bag subassembly 128 to first diffuser bag subassembly 126 to form a completed diffuser air bag 70a constructed in accordance with the present invention. The second diffuser bag subassembly 128 has an air impervious airtight outer airbag- wall forming layer 154 made of a flexible air impermeable material, such as preferably vinyl, which is attached by a second airtight seal 156 extending substantially completely about its outer periphery joining outer airbag wall-forming layer 154 to the first diffuser bag subassembly 126 sandwiching a second layer of perforate three dimensional mesh 158 therebetween. The air impervious airtight airbag-wall forming layer 154 has a generally triangular shaped sheet- like body 160 with an elongate generally rectangular air impervious imperforate ventilation air duct forming tongue 162 extending outwardly therefrom. The second seal 156 not only extends substantially completely about the outer periphery of outer airbag wall- forming layer 154 but also extends along opposite sides of duct forming tongue 162 and tongue 150 of inner air bag-wall forming layer 138 thereby integrally forming an elongate tubular and generally flexible ventilation air communicating duct 92a.

[0049] As is best shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, ventilation air communicating duct 92a is not only integrally formed with and of diffuser pad 70a, but also extends generally outwardly in a direction generally parallel to overlapping layers 112 and 118 of pad 70a. With continued reference to Figure 7, during ventilated motorcycle seat operation, air mover 74 operates as a suction device or in suction mode drawing air from within diffuser pad 70a out of pad 70a causing air exteriorly of the ventilated motorcycle seat 44 to be drawn into the holes or perforations 144 in the outer layer 112 of pad 70a ventilating a seat occupant sitting on a ventilated motorcycle seat 44 and overlying pad 70a. Ambient or exterior air drawn into a ventilation air distributing or diffusing chamber 164 formed by first or outer mesh layer 142 spacing perforate outer layer 112 from inner airbag wall-forming layer 138, e.g., middle layer 138, of the pad 70a flows through the air distribution ports 152 formed in the middle diffuser pad layer 138 into airbag chamber 168 and out the ventilation air communicating duct 92a that is in fluid flow communication with air mover 74. The second or inner mesh layer 158 spaces the imperforate airtight outer airbag wall-forming layer 154 from the inner airbag wall-forming layer 138 enabling ventilation air flow to be maintained therethrough during ventilated motorcycle seat operation.

[0050] Such a dual overlapping chamber 164 and 168 seat occupant ventilating diffuser pad 70a constructed in accordance with the present invention utilizes generally parallel perforate mesh layers 142 and 158 as chamber collapse preventing ventilation air flow facilitating spacers respectively disposed in diffuser pad chambers 164 and 168 that not only facilitate ventilation air flow through the pad 70a during suction ventilation operation but which also prevent chamber collapse during suction ventilation operation. In addition, the use of a perforate mesh layer 142 and 158 in each diffuser pad chamber 164 and 168 also prevents chamber and diffuser pad collapse from the weight of a seat occupant sitting directly on part or all of the diffuser pad 70a during ventilated motorcycle seat operation.

[0051] A cooling pad or diffuser pad subassembly is formed of a plurality of pairs of layers that includes a mesh layer sandwiched between an outer perforated layer and a diffuser layer. The mesh layer can be formed of a variety of materials that provide a three-dimensional mesh with air pockets interspersed throughout with the mesh layer keeping the perforated layer and diffuser layer at least somewhat spaced apart even when a ventilated seat system, e.g., ventilated seat module and/or ventilated seat assembly, is not in use. Such a three dimensional mesh layer can be made of a woven mesh fabric, a woven porous or void-containing mat, or the like composed of a natural or synthetic material.

[0052] The perforated outer layer preferably is formed of vinyl but can be formed of another suitable natural or synthetic cloth, fabric or the like. The perforated outer layer has at least a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, through holes or through bores formed completely through the layer with substantially the entire surface of the layer perforated with such holes or bores. The perforated outer layer can be disposed directly in contact with a seat occupant so as to draw air through the perforations in the perforated outer layer during ventilated seat system operation or can underlie a porous or perforate portion of an outer cover of the ventilated seat if desired.

[0053] The diffuser layer also is of perforate construction having a plurality of pairs of holes formed in an imperforate layer of material, such as vinyl or the like, which are larger than the perforations of the perforated layer and distributed in a manner to help ensure substantially uniform flow of air through the perforations of the perforated layer during ventilated seat system operation. The diffuser layer preferably is formed of a gas impervious material, such as nylon or the like, so that air only flows through the perforations in the diffuser layer.

[0054] The outer diffuser layer has a plurality of pairs of holes each having a size at least 4 times that of the perforations of the perforated layer and preferably having a size at least 10 times that of the perforations of the perforated layer to help produce optimal cooling or ventilating air flow through the seat during ventilating seat system operation. As is also shown in Figures 3-7, the diffuser layer has a plurality of holes disposed along one side and a plurality of holes disposed along an opposite side with at least a plurality of holes on each side overlying and/or being located outwardly of an outer edge of the mesh layer to help facilitate air flow through the perforated outer layer, the mesh layer and the diffuser during ventilated seating system operation.

[0055] The diffuser layer shown in Figures 3-7 can be configured with a plurality of diffuser holes disposed at or adjacent an edge of the diffuser layer that is disposed at or adjacent a side of the cooling pad from which the outlet duct outwardly extends. While only two diffuser holes are shown in the diffuser layer of Figure 5, the diffuser layer preferably has at least a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, of diffuser holes spaced apart along the edge from which the cooling pad outlet duct outwardly extends. As is also shown in Figures 3-7, the diffuser holes formed in the diffuser layer underlie the mesh layer and are preferably disposed interiorly or inboard of an outer peripheral edge of the mesh layer to help prevent plugging of any diffuser hole during ventilated seating system operation.

[0056] As is shown in Figures 3-7, the diffuser layer includes an imperforate gas impervious tongue that is oblong, e.g., rectangular, and preferably elongate that projects outwardly from an outer peripheral edge of the diffuser that forms at least a portion of the cooling pad outlet duct when assembly of the cooling pad is completed. The imperforate tongue extending outwardly from the diffuser layer preferably forms one sidewall of the cooling pad outlet duct when assembly of the cooling pad is completed. Such a diffuser layer construction advantageously enables the diffuser layer to be formed, such as by cutting, punching, or the like, with an integrally formed cooling pad outlet duct sidewall forming tongue that enables the outlet duct to be moved away from the perforate outer surface of the ventilated seat, i.e., ventilated motorcycle seat, where a seat occupant is applying pressure against the cooling pad.

[0057] The perforated, mesh and diffuser layers shown in Figures 3-7 are generally triangular in shape forming a saddle shaped first cooling pad subassembly when joined together at or along their outer peripheral edge in the manner depicted in Figures 3-7 producing a generally triangular or saddle shaped cooling pad when cooling pad assembly is completed. In assembling the first cooling pad subassembly, the outer perforated layer is joined to the diffuser layer along a heat or sonic weld seal line spaced inboard from the outer peripheral edge of the perforated and diffuser layers leaving a margin disposed outwardly of the joined line that enables part of a second cooling pad subassembly to be subsequently attached to the margin in a similar manner.

[0058] As further shown in Figures 3-7, the seal line is disposed outwardly of the diffuser holes in the diffuser layer and is substantially contiguous forming a substantially gas-tightly sealed compartment as best shown in Figure 6 sandwiching the mesh layer between the perforated layer and the diffuser layer when joining of the perforated and diffuser layers is completed. The joined line can be formed by stitching but also can be formed by heat sealing, sonic welding, adhesive bonding or the like. In the preferred first cooling pad subassembly shown in Figures 3-7, the joined line that substantially gas tightly seals the perforated layer to the diffuser layer is formed by heat sealing or sonic welding.

[0059] The second joined layer extends about substantially the entire outer peripheral edge of the first cooling pad subassembly and about substantially the entire outer peripheral edge of the imperforate layer. As discussed above, the second joined line preferably is disposed outboard or outwardly of the first seal line used to join the perforated layer to the diffuser layer to form the first cooling pad subassembly. The second joined line can be formed by stitching but also can be formed by heat sealing, sonic welding, adhesive bonding or the like. The second seal line that substantially gas tightly seals the outer imperforate layer to the diffuser layer is formed by heat sealing or sonic welding.

[0060] The imperforate outer layer provides a base layer of the cooling pad and preferably is made of a suitable imperforate material, such as vinyl, that provides a gas tight outer or base layer of the cooling pad. The imperforate outer layer also has an elongate cooling pad outlet duct sidewall forming tongue of a construction similar or the same as the elongate cooling pad outlet duct sidewall forming tongue of the diffuser layer. While the first seal or joined line that joins the perforated outer layer to the diffuser layer can extend completely about or along the entire outer peripheral edge of the perforated layer and diffuser layer when assembling the first cooling pad subassembly, the second joined line extends substantially completely about or along the outer peripheral edge of the outer imperforate cooling pad base layer but does not extend across either the tongue of the imperforate layer nor the tongue of the diffuser layer. Rather, the second joined line can and preferably does extend outwardly away from the outer peripheral edge of the imperforate outer layer along the side edges of the tongue of the imperforate layer and the tongue of the diffuser layer defining a cooling pad outlet duct of substantially gas-tight construction.

[0061] When assembly of the cooling pad is completed, a cooling pad like that shown in Figures 3-7 is shown with the tongue of the diffuser layer and the tongue of the imperforate outer base layer forming opposed sidewalls of the cooling pad outlet duct that is of tubular and flexible construction. As is also shown in Figures 3-7, the flexible gas-tight tubular cooling pad outlet duct formed by the joined tongues extends outwardly from one side of the cooling pad generally transversely, e.g. generally perpendicularly, relative to the perforated outer surface that underlies part of a seat occupant sitting on a ventilated seat produced using such a cooling pad constructed in accordance with the present invention. Such a flexible gas-tight tubular cooling pad outlet duct can be and preferably is elongate enabling the duct to be routed through, around and along non- straight surfaces, channels, and the like producing a cooling pad of the invention that is not only preferably formed as a unit or module that can be shipped to another location for final ventilated seat assembly, but which is a cooling pad that is versatile, configurable in nearly any shape, and is well suited not only for ventilated motorcycle seating applications but also for ventilated off- road vehicle seating applications.

[0062] Figure 2 illustrates the ventilated motorcycle seat with its outer cover removed with a cooling pad or diffuser pad constructed in accordance with the present invention with its outlet duct extending generally parallel to a seat occupant supporting surface underlying the cooling pad upon which a seat occupant, e.g., driver, sits during use and operation. The cooling or diffuser pad is supported on a foam cushion of the seat with the foam cushion in turn being supported on a plastic or metal motorcycle seat pan or base. The foam cushion can be and preferably is three dimensionally formed or contoured to accommodate at least a portion of the cooling pad. As shown in FIG. 6, the foam cushion can have an opening formed in it that extends all the way through the cushion that is large enough to enable the outlet duct of the cooling pad to be routed through the opening. In the preferred ventilated motorcycle seat embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the opening formed in the foam cushion is a generally rectangular channel formed in an upturned tail section of the motorcycle seat through which the outlet duct of the cooling pad is routed. If desired, the opening formed in the foam cushion can be a slot, e.g. a generally rectangular slot, such as is depicted in Figure 2.

[0063] As a result of the offset or sideways extending outlet duct of the cooling pad of the present invention, the imperforate outer base layer, e.g., the base of the cooling pad, is substantially completely supported by the foam cushion along the entire surface area of the imperforate outer layer. This not only helps produce a more robust cooling pad that is more durable and leak resistant, it also produces a ventilated seat, preferably a ventilated motorcycle seat, which provides optimal comfort throughout and along the entire outer surface of cooling pad, i.e., its perforated outer layer.

[0064] While a cooling pad constructed in accordance with the present invention is particularly well suited for use in ventilated motorcycle seats, such a cooling pad is also well suited for use in other ventilated seats including ventilated off-road vehicle seats. Likewise is true of a ventilated seat system constructed with a plurality of cooling pads in a single ventilated seat where all of the cooling pads are driven by a single or common fan or blower.

[0065] Understandably, the present invention has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments and methods. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the disclosed invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure shown and set forth herein.

Claims

CLAIMS It is claimed:

1. A ventilated seat comprising:

a seat base or pan;

a cushion carried by the base or pan;

a ventilation air mover; and

a perforate ventilation air diffuser pad supported on the cushion with a ventilation air conveying duct extending from a side or side edge of the cooling pad in airflow communication with the air mover.

2. The ventilated seat of claim 1, comprised of a pair of spaced apart perforate ventilation air diffuser pads each having a a ventilation air conveying duct driven by a ventilation air mover that is a single common fan or blower.

3. The ventilated seat claim 1, wherein the diffuser pad is comprised of an outer perforated layer, a first mesh layer, an intermediate diffuser layer, a second mesh layer, and an outer gas impervious layer disposed toward the seat base or pan.

4. The ventilated seat of claim 3, wherein the layers are joined by a heat seal or sonic weld.

5. The ventilated seat of claim 3, wherein the diffuser layer and the outer gas impervious layer each have an outwardly extending tongue whose sides are joined together to form a ventilation air conveying duct.

6. The ventilated seat of claim 5, wherein the ventilation air conveying duct is elongate and flexible capable of being bent around corners and edges.

7. The ventilated seat of claim 1 wherein the seat base or pan is three dimensionally formed with at least one ventilation air duct routing channel or passage in which a portion of the ventilation air conveying duct is received.

8. The ventilated seat of claim 8 wherein the cushion is three dimensionally formed with at least one ventilation air duct routing channel or passage in which a portion of the ventilation air conveying duct is received.

9. The ventilated seat of claim 1 wherein the perforate ventilation air diffuser pad has an intermediate perforate layer and an outer imperforate layer each having a ventilation air duct forming tongue extending outwardly therefrom that forms the ventilation air duct when joined together to form the perforate ventilation air diffuser pad.

10. The ventilated seat of claim 1 wherein the ventilated seat comprises a ventilated motorcycle seat having a ventilated seat saddle comprised of the perforate ventilation air diffuser pad.

11. The ventilated seat of claim 10 wherein the ventilated motorcycle seat further comprises a ventilated pillion comprised of a second perforate ventilation air diffuser pad rearwardly spaced from the perforate ventilation air diffuser pad comprising the ventilated seat saddle.

12. The ventilated seat of claim 11 wherein the ventilated motorcycle seat further comprises an outer seat cover having a plurality of fore-aft spaced apart air permeable regions each of which is in registry with a corresponding one of the perforate ventilation air diffuser pads comprising respectively the ventilated seat saddle and ventilated pillion.