NO343906B1

NO343906B1 - Removable chair seat cushion

Info

Publication number: NO343906B1
Application number: NO20171478A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Peter Opsvik; Eva Tøftum
Original assignee: Opsvik Peter As
Priority date: 2017-09-13
Filing date: 2017-09-13
Publication date: 2019-07-01
Also published as: WO2019054881A1; NO20171478A1

Description

REMOVABLE CHAIR SEAT CUSHION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion for a chair seat. More specifically, the invention relates to a removable cushion for a chair seat with substantially free rear and front edges, such as a high chair with adjustable seat height.

BACKGROUND

[0002] High chairs for children are often provided with several accessory elements which allow children of different sizes to use the high chair safely. As an example, a support rail can be provided which ensures that smaller toddlers are safely held in the high chair. The support rail can be equipped with a crotch strap. In addition, an additional backrest can be provided for additional support of the back of a smaller child or toddler, the additional backrest being removable so as to ensure that the chair can also provide a comfortable sitting position for a larger child. For height adjustment, the seat can be shaped as a plate movable between different positions in the chair frame, e.g. between upwardly extending legs. Since the plate is moved up and down, the seat's rear edge is not fixed to the backrest directly, as for conventional chairs, but only via the chair frame. Therefore, both the front and rear of the seat is open.

[0003] High chairs, including the seat, are often manufactured in hard material, such as wood. This facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the chair, as well as height adjustment.

[0004] Cushions for the seat and the backrest can be provided for added convenience.

However, one problem associated with such cushions is that they tend to fall off or be moved out of position when the chair is in use. In the latter case, the cushion may come in the way or discomfort the person seated.

[0005] Integrated fastening means in the seat is one way to fasten the cushion, but this may not be desirable, since such means will be visible when the cushion is not in use. Further, if the chair is not equipped with integrated fastening means from production, it will be difficult to retrofit a cushion.

[0006] DE 202016105420 U1 describes an upholstery set for a high chair, comprising a seat cushion for attachment to a seat of the high chair and a back cushion for attachment to a backrest of the high chair. The seat cushion having a through hole for allowing a first accessory of the high chair to extend therethrough, the back cushion comprising a pocket for receiving a second accessory element of the high chair, and wherein, in a first configuration, the cushion set fits on the seat and the backrest of the high chair without attached accessories while it provides smooth, uninterrupted cushioning surfaces.

[0007] WO 95/30360 Al describes a cushion for a chair, especially a demountable cushion for a chair for children, and for the object of providing a cushion which simply and effectively can be mounted on a child's chair and correspondingly in a rapid and effective manner can be demounted therefrom. It is according to the invention suggested that the main shape of the cushion comprises a main portion serving to support the back portion of the user, and one or more side portions serving as extended support portion and/or affixing portion.

[0008] DE 9312828 U1 is also useful for understanding the field of technology.

SHORT SUMMARY

[0009] A goal with the present invention is to overcome the problems of prior art, and to disclose a removable chair seat cushion, that will stay in place, and that can be easily mounted and dismounted to a chair seat without integrated fastening means.

[0010] The invention is a removable chair seat cushion, with inner and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surface is configured to interface with a chair seat, wherein the removable chair seat cushion, comprises;

- first and second ends, and

- fastening means, wherein the removable chair seat cushion is configured to be folded around the chair seat and the fastening means is configured to releasably interconnect the first and second ends, wherein the chair seat cushion further comprising an anti-rotation plate or padding attached to the chair seat cushion and configured to prevent the removable chair seat cushion from being rotated about the chair seat.

[0011] The cushion according to the invention can therefore be easily fitted to a chair seat, simply by folding it around the seat, and fastening the two ends together with the fastening means, e.g. under the seat, or at an edge of the seat.

[0012] The cushion itself is in soft material, but due to the anti-rotation plate or padding attached to the chair seat cushion, the cushion is prevented from rotating about the seat.

[0013] In an embodiment the inner surface of the cushion at least partly comprises anti-slip material or coating. This further contributes to keeping the cushion fixed to the seat.

[0014] The combination of the anti-rotation plate or padding and the anti-slip material or coating also has a synergistic effect in an embodiment where the anti-rotation plate or padding is configured to be arranged above the chair seat, since the anti-rotation plate or padding will distribute the gravitational force from the person acting on the cushion over a larger area of the anti-slip material or coating, and in this way increasing the stability of the cushion. This may be especially useful when a child in the seat is worked up or in the mood for playing.

[0015] It is well known that high chairs are also used by larger children, youth as well as adults, and the above advantages of the cushion are present for any type of high chair with a hard seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a removable chair seat cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention, arranged in a high chair.

[0017] Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c shows an embodiment of the removable chair seat cushion in unfolded position.

[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates how a removable chair seat cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention, may be folded around a chair seat.

[0019] Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate a cross section of a removable chair seat cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention, unfolded and folded around the chair seat, respectively.

[0020] Fig. 5a and 5b illustrate a cross section of a removable chair seat cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention, unfolded and folded around the chair seat, respectively.

[0021] Fig. 6 illustrates a removable chair seat cushion with a removable anti-rotation plate or padding, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Fig. 7 shows a removable chair seat cushion, according to an embodiment of the invention, arranged in a chair for youth and adults.

[0023] Fig. 8 shows a detail of the chair seat cushion in Fig. 7 with a zip lock arranged at the rear of the seat.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In the following description, various examples and embodiments of the invention are set forth in order to provide the skilled person with a more thorough understanding of the invention. The specific details described in the context of the various embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings are not intended to be construed as limitations. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

[0025] The invention is in an embodiment a removable chair seat cushion (1) with inner and outer surfaces (la, lb) configured to be attached to a chair seat, by means of folding the cushion (1) around the seat (100) and fastening the first and second ends (11, 12) to each other releasably, by fastening means (20). The chair seat cushion (1) further comprises an antirotation plate or padding (15) attached to the chair seat cushion (1) and configured to prevent the removable chair seat cushion (1) from rotating about the chair seat (100). The mentioned features are common to all embodiments.

[0026] In an embodiment the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is configured to be arranged above the chair seat (100). However, in another embodiment the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is configured to be arranged below the seat (15). This would also counteract relocation of the cushion.

[0027] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the inner surface (la) at least partly comprises anti-slip material or coating (16).

[0028] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is removable from the removable chair seat cushion (1). In a specific related embodiment, the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is arranged in a pocket (18) in the inner surface (la), as illustrated e.g. in Fig. 6, meaning that it is not removable when the cushion is attached to the seat (100). However, an alternative specific embodiment with a pocket reachable from the outer surface is also within the scope of the invention.

[0029] The anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is in an embodiment, that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, in a semi-rigid material. This has the benefit that the plate or padding provides some improved sitting comfort over stiff plates, while still preventing dislocation of the cushion. In a related embodiment, the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is in semi-rigid polymeric material, such as e.g. foam.

[0030] The fastening means (20) can in an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, be configured to be arranged at the rear edge (102) of the chair seat (100) as illustrated in Figs. 5a and 5b, or at the front edge (100) (not illustrated).

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the fastening means (20) is configured to be arranged below the chair seat (100) as illustrated in Figs. 5a and 5b.

[0032] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the fastening means (20) is a zip-lock. Other fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps etc. may be used.

[0033] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the chair seat (100) is not rectangular and the cushion (1) has to be adapted to the specific design of the seat.

[0034] In an embodiment, that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the chair seat (100) has a front edge (101) and a rear edge (102), wherein the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102) is curved, and wherein the removable chair seat cushion (1) is adapted to the curved shape of the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102) when folded around.

[0035] In an embodiment that can be combined with the embodiment above, the chair seat cushion (1) is of a flexible material and configured to adapt to the curved shape of the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102).

[0036] In an alternative embodiment the chair seat cushion (1) is of a low-stretch or nonstretchable material and form-fitted to the curved shape of the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102).

[0037] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above related to non-rectangular shape, the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102) is at least in-part outwardly curved.

[0038] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above related to non-rectangular shape, the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) has a curvature corresponding to the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102).

[0039] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the cushion (1) is made in flexible material and configured to adapt to the shape of the seat when folded around.

[0040] In an embodiment where one of the front edge (101) or rear edge (102) are curved, the fastening means can be arranged at the curved end as illustrated in Figs. 5a and 5b. The cushion could then look like the illustrations in Fig. 2a and 2b.

[0041] Fig. 1 illustrates a removable chair seat cushion (1), according to an embodiment of the invention, arranged in a high chair for a child. When the cushion is properly attached to the seat (100) of the chair, the cushion will stay in place when a child climbs up and down the chair, as well as when moving around seated.

[0042] Figs. 2a, and 2b illustrate outer and inner surfaces (lb, la), respectively of an embodiment of the invention. The cushion is seen unfolded. In this embodiment the fastening means (20) is a zip lock fixed to the first and second ends (11, 12) of the cushion. Further, the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is shown separately in Fig. 2c. The anti-rotation plate or padding can be inserted into and removed from the pocket (18).

[0043] Fig. 3 illustrates how a removable chair seat cushion (1), according to an embodiment of the invention, may be folded around a chair seat (100).

[0044] Figs. 4a and 4b illustrates in a section side view, a lay-up of the cushion (1). Fig. 4a shows an unfolded cushion, while Fig. 4b illustrates the same cushion folded around- and attached to a seat (100) by the fastening means (20), in this case illustrated as a zip lock.

[0045] The anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is integrated in the cushion (1) and has a depth (length in the drawing) corresponding to the depth of the seat (100), or somewhat smaller. A piece of fabric above and lining below the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) constitutes the outer and inner surfaces (lb, la) of the cushion (1). Further, the stapled line illustrates anti-slip coating or material (16).

[0046] When the cushion (1) is folded around the seat (100), as illustrated in Fig. 4b, and attached with the fastening means (20), it will be very difficult or impossible to rotate the cushion around the seat, due to the stiffness of the anti-rotation plate. In addition, the antislip material or coating (16) will help keeping the cushion in place. When e.g. a child in the seat applies a force to the cushion, the frictional-forces will increase between the seat (100) and the inner surface (la), and the cushion will be difficult to re-position. In the case of the seat having a curved front edge (101) and/or rear edge (102), the additional feature of the cushion being of a low-stretch or non-stretch material and being form-fitted to the curved shape of the seat edge(s) will even further prevent re-position or rotation of the cushion around the seat.

[0047] Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate in the same way as Fig. 4a and 4b a lay-up of the cushion according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0048] However, in this embodiment the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is removable. Here the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is arranged in a pocket (18) in the inner surface (la), meaning that it is not removable when the cushion is attached to the seat (100). This embodiment may also be implemented in the cushion shown in Figs. 4a and 4b.

[0049] In addition, a separate comfort layer (17) has been added above the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) for additional comfort. The layer can be e.g. foam material, webbing or thin padding. This comfort layer (17) can extend only to a portion of the cushion, e.g. the portion above the anti-rotation plate or padding (15), or extend to the entire cushion. This embodiment may also be implemented in the cushion shown in Figs. 4a and 4b.

[0050] A further difference from the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4a and 4b, is that the fastening means (20) have been arranged under the seat (100). The cushion (1) will then be more difficult for e.g. a child to open.

[0051] Fig. 6 illustrates in more detail how the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) can be inserted and removed from the pocket (18) when the cushion (1) is removed from the seat

(100).

[0052] Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a cushion with the same features as that of the cushions shown in Figs. 2a-c, 3, 4a-b and 6, while having a larger depth to be attached to a seat for youth or adults. In Fig. 8 the form-fitted shape of the cushion ends to the seat rear edge is especially shown, wherein the zipper follows the contour of the seat edge, providing additional prevention of re-position or rotation of the cushion around the seat.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiments, various features and details are shown in combination. The fact that several features are described with respect to a particular example should not be construed as implying that those features by necessity have to be included together in all embodiments of the invention. Conversely, features that are described with reference to different embodiments should not be construed as mutually exclusive. As those with skill in the art will readily understand, embodiments that incorporate any subset of features described herein and that are not expressly interdependent have been contemplated by the inventor and are part of the intended disclosure. However, explicit description of all such embodiments would not contribute to the understanding of the principles of the invention, and consequently some permutations of features have been omitted for the sake of simplicity or brevity.

Claims

1. A removable chair seat cushion (1), with inner and outer surfaces (la, lb), wherein the inner surface (la) is configured to interface with a chair seat (100), wherein the removable chair seat cushion (1), comprises;

- first and second ends (11,12) and

- fastening means (20), wherein

the removable chair seat cushion (1) is configured to be folded around the chair seat (100) and the fastening means (20) are configured to releasably interconnect the first and second ends (11,12), wherein the chair seat cushion (1) further comprises an anti-rotation plate or padding (15) attached to the chair seat cushion (1) and configured to prevent the removable chair seat cushion (1) from being rotated about the chair seat (100).

2. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is configured to be arranged above the chair seat (100).

3. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner surface (la) at least partly comprises anti-slip material or coating (16).

4. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims above, wherein the antirotation plate or padding (15) is removable from the removable chair seat cushion (1).

5. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims above, wherein said antirotation plate or padding (15) is in semi-rigid polymeric material.

6. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of claim 5, wherein said anti-rotation plate or padding (15) is in polymeric foam material.

7. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims above, wherein the fastening means (20) is configured to be arranged below the chair seat (100).

8. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims 1-6, wherein the fastening means (20) is configured to be arranged at the rear edge (102) of the chair seat (100).

9. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims above, wherein the fastening means (20) is a zip-lock.

10. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims above, wherein said chair seat (100) has a front edge (101) and a rear edge (102), wherein the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102) is at least partly curved, and wherein the removable chair seat cushion (1) is adapted to the curved shape of the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102) when folded around the seat.

11. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of claim 10, wherein the chair seat cushion (1) is of a flexible material and configured to adapt to the at least partly curved shape of the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102).

12. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of claim 10, wherein the chair seat cushion (1) is of a low-stretch or non-stretchable material and form-fitted to the at least partly curved shape of the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102).

13. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102) is at least partly outwardly curved.

14. The removable chair seat cushion (1) of any of the claims 10 or 13, wherein said antirotation plate or padding (15) has a curvature corresponding to the front edge (101) and/or the rear edge (102).