GB2417418A

GB2417418A - Seating aid

Info

Publication number: GB2417418A
Application number: GB0418936A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Diane Hadfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-25
Filing date: 2004-08-25
Publication date: 2006-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-25
Also published as: GB2417418B; GB0418936D0

Abstract

A seating aid for use with stadium seating. The seating aid comprises a seat cushion 22 and a pouch 28. In use the cushion is secured to the seat 10 by ties 26 and the pouch attached to the front of the cushion where it can be used as a receptacle. The cushion can be folded up and stored in the pouch after use.

Description

2417418 Seating aid The present in invention relates to seating aid, in

particular, but not exclusively, to a seating aid for use on stadium seating, such as the seating typically found at football grounds and the like.

In the UK at least, conventional seating in the stands at a football stadium tend to be in the form of hard plastic mouldings having a fixed, upright seat back portion and a swing-movable seat portion. In general, the hard nature of such seating that they can be uncomfortable to sit on for a length of time, such as a half of a football game.

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seating aid for use in a first condition as a seat cover and defining a first surface area in plan view for providing an intermediate layer between a seat and a person sat on the seat, the seating aid also being suitable for use in a second condition defining a substantially smaller surface area in plan view than in the first condition, so as to be easily transportable.

Preferably, the seating aid includes means for securing the seating aid to a seat.

Preferably, the seating aid includes ties for securing the seating aid to a seat, which may be are arranged on opposite sides of the seat cover, when viewed in the first condition, and are preferably offset from a centre line of the seating aid, when viewed in the first condition.

In a preferred embodiment, the seat portion is in the form of a cushion.

Preferably, the seating portion includes a padded, quilted or other cushion-like portion. 4. -2

The seating aid is preferably configured so as to be folded into a compact condition, for stowing in a pouch or the like.

Preferably, the seating aid defines a first member, the seating aid further including a second member in the form of a pouch, which is removably securable to the first member for receiving articles when the seating aid is in its first condition.

Preferably, the first member is configured so as to be transportable in the pouch 1() in its second condition.

Preferably, the pouch is configured to receive the first member in its second condition.

Preferably, the pouch includes closure means, which may be used in removably securing the pouch to the first member.

Other preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following

description and the dependent claims.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying claims, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a seating aid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention in use on a stadium seat; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the pouch shown in Figure 1, in an open position; and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the pouch in a closed position.

Figure 1 shows an example of a typical stadium-type seat 10, such as might typically be found at a sports stadium or the like. The seat 10 is fixedly mounted on a support member 12 and includes a seat portion 14 and a backrest portion 16.

A seating aid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is indicated at 20. The seating aid 20 includes a first member in the form of a cushion-type cover 22 having a central padded region 24 The cover 22 is shown in use in a first condition on the seat 10 defining a first surface area in plan view. In this first condition, the cover 22 provides an intermediate layer between the seat portion 14 and a person sat on the seat 10 (not illustrated), to increase the comfort of a person sat on the seat 10.

Ties 26 are provided for securing the seating aid 20 to the seat 10, the ties 26 being arranged on opposite sides of the cover 22 offset from a centre line of the cover, as viewed in Figure 1.

The seating aid 20 also includes a second member in the form of a pouch 28, 2() which is shown removably secured to the cover 22, by means of a hook and eye connectors provided on the pouch 28 and cover 22, not illustrated.

The pouch 28 is best described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, which show the pouch 28 in open and closed positions, respectively. The pouch 28 defines a receptacle portion 30 and includes a closure flap 32. Hook and eye connector strips 34 are provided on the front of the pouch 28 and inside of the closure flap 32, for use as a closure means in the position shown in Figure 3. The strip 34 on the flap 32 is also used for securing the pouch 28 to the cover 22 in the position shown in Figure 1. 3()

In the first condition shown in Figure 1, the pouch 28 is positioned on the cover 22 so as to be arranged between the knees of a person sat on the seat 10. As can be seen, the pouch 28 is open in this condition and is therefore suitable as a convenient receptacle for articles, such as sports programmes and refreshments.

The cover 22 is configured for folding up in to a second condition (not illustrated) defining a substantially smaller surface area in plan view than in the first condition shown in Figure 1. More particularly, the cover 22 can be folded up into a compact condition and stowed in the pouch 28, so as to be easily carried.

The invention provides a removable cover for a stadium seat or the like, which can be easily carried or transported to and from sporting events such as football matches, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the pouch provides a simple and convenient receptacle for refreshments and personal items, as well as sporting programs, when the cover is in use on a seat.

Although not illustrated, the pouch in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention may include straps or handle means, so as to be easily carried or transported. - 5

Claims

Claims 1. A seating aid for use in a first condition as a seat cover and

defining a first surface area in plan view for providing an intermediate layer between a seat and a person sat on the seat, the seating aid also being suitable for use in a second condition defining a substantially smaller surface area in plan view than in the first condition, so as to be easily transportable.
2. A seating aid as claimed in claim 1, including means for securing the 1() seating aid to a seat.
3. A seating aid as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including ties for securing the seating aid to a seat.
4. A seating aid as claimed in claim 3, in which the ties are arranged on opposite sides of the seat cover, when viewed in the first condition.
5. A seating aid as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the ties are offset from a centre line of the seating aid, when viewed in the first condition. 2()
6. A seating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the seating aid is in the form of a cushion.
7. A seating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the seating aid includes a padded, quilted or other cushion-like portion.
8. A seating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the seating aid is configured so as to be folded into a compact condition, for stowing in a pouch or the like.
9. A seating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the seating aid defines a first member, the seating aid further including a second member - 6 in the form of a pouch, which is removably securable to the first member for receiving articles when the seating aid is in its first condition.
10. A seating aid as claimed in claim 9, in which the first member is configured so as to be transportable in the pouch in its second condition.
11. A seating aid as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the pouch is configured to receive the first member in its second condition.
12. A seating aid as claimed in any of claims 9 to 1 1, in which the pouch includes closure means.
13. A seating aid as claimed in claim 12 when dependent upon claim 9, in which the closure means are used in removably securing the pouch to the l 5 first member.
14. A seating aid substantially as herein described and as illustrated in Figures 1 to3.