US20120193948A1

US20120193948A1 - Heating cushion

Info

Publication number: US20120193948A1
Application number: US13/015,556
Authority: US
Inventors: Nin-He LIU; Yi-Shou Tsai
Original assignee: LIU LIN - HO & TSAI I -SHOU
Current assignee: LIU LIN - HO & TSAI I -SHOU
Priority date: 2011-01-27
Filing date: 2011-01-27
Publication date: 2012-08-02

Abstract

A heating cushion comprising an elastic main body having a cutting line provided thereon; a heating device, which consists essentially of an electrical heating cord that can be inserted in the body from the cutting line, a female connector joins with two ends of heating cord respectively, and a male connector pairs up with the female connector for supplying power to the heating cord; and an adhesive layer, made of a binding material, applied in an inner portion of the cutting line. The heating cord and said two electrical cords connecting to the heating cords can be coupled to the bottom of the cutting line by said adhesive layer. The heating cord within the cushion has even heat conductivity and flexibility, which won't be broken easily to avoid the occurrence of short circuit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cushion that has a heating means to transform electricity into heat for warming the body of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

A conventional heating means set inside a cushion or other object, as shown in FIG. 14, is realized by having a metallic heating wire (10), made of metal alloy wrapped by plastic, and is stitched onto a net (12) by a thread (11). As stitching is dependent on human factor, the size, shape and the production are limited and the manufacturing cost is relatively higher. Further, the stitching may damage the heating wire may be damaged during the stitching to cause short circuit, and set on fire if the plastic wrapping is too thin. But if the wrapping is thickened, it reduces heat conductivity and wastes unnecessary energy.
For improving, another heating means, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, has a conductive adhesive layer (20) applied onto a plastic film (20 a) and joins another film (20 b) to form a heating circuit. The adhesive layer (20) provides even heat conductivity, and allows the cushion to have variety shape. However, the conductive adhesive layer (20) is easy to have kink mark when receives a pressure, and causing the short circuit. Further, to ensure temperature is evenly conducted to each portion of the cushion, the thickness of the conductive adhesive layer (20) must be precisely calculated which increases the difficulty during the manufacture.
Another heating means, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, has a metal alloy wire (30) to be made into a required shape and is placed in a compartment made by two symmetrical plastic casings (30 a, 30 b). To allow the cushion can have more shapes and more even heat conductivity, the casings (30 a, 30 b) is recommended to be cut to form a heating means (31). However, crack of the wire (30) after receiving heavy weight still place the user in a danger condition.
Therefore, to find a safer heating means that can bear heavy weight and does not cause discomfort to the user has become the primary objective of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve above objective, a heating cushion comprising: a heating device, enclosed within a compartment made by two plastic casings, which sealed by high frequency wave; the heating device including a flexible heating cord selected from carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber;
a first connecting unit, having two electrical cords connecting both ends of the heating cord to form a electrical circuit;
a second connecting unit, engaged with the first connecting unit, and supplying power through a plug, an adapter and an electric cord;
an adhesive layer made of waterproof material for attaching said electrical cords of the first connecting unit and the heating cushion.
Moreover, at least two openings are defined on each plastic casing.
The plastic casing of said heating cushion is selected from a transparent or a non-transparent heat resisting plastic, silicone or rubber.
A temperature controlling device can be provided further between said second connecting unit and adapter.
Another heating cushion which can achieve same objective comprising:
an elastic main body, having a cutting line set thereon;
a heating device, including at least one heating cord provided in the cutting line, a female connector join with two ends of heating cord respectively, and a male connector pair up with the female connector for supplying power to the heating cord; and;
Said heating cushion includes an adhesive layer, made of a binding material, is applied in an inner portion of the cutting line. The heating cord and said two electrical cords connecting the heating cords are coupled to a bottom of the cutting line by the adhesive layer.
The main body of the cushion is selected from a back cushion, a chair cushion, a seat cushion, a sofa cushion, a sport cushion, a floor cushion or a mattress.
The heating cord provided within the heating cushion is flexible and is selected from carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber.
The female connector has two electrical cords for connecting with both ends of the heating cords.
The male connector including an electrical cord and an adapter and a plug connected electrically to the cord.
The male connector including an electrical cord and an adapter connected electrically to the cord; a temperature controlling device is further provided between said male connector and adapter.
The both ends of said cutting line are provided on a side face of the main body and an opening is set on both ends thereof respectively.
The opening has a fixed member for securing the electrical cords attached to the heating cords.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a heating cushion of claim 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the application of third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the main body of the cushion has a plurality of pores.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the forth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 7 along the line A-A.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the heating device of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the fifth embodiment with the heating device is illustrated in broken lines.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 10 along the line B-B.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the heating device of sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a conventional heating device made of typical metallic alloy wire.

FIG. 15 is another conventional heating device having a conductive adhesive layer.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 along the line C-C.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of another conventional heating cushion.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the heating cushion of the FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail hereinafter according to the appended drawings.
The first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 discloses a waterproof heating cushion (50) consists of a heating device (51), enclosed within a compartment made by two plastic casings (52 a, 52 b), which sealed by high frequency wave. The heating device (51) including an electrical heating cord (511) with flexibility which can be selected from carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber; a first connecting unit (512), which is a female connector, having two electrical cords (512 a, 512 b) where the tips (513 a, 513 b) connecting both ends of said heating cord (511) to form an electrical circuit; a second connecting unit (514), which is a male connector, engaged with the first connecting unit (512), and supplying power to the heating cord (511); said second connecting unit (514) joins an adapter (514 b) and a plug (514 c) through a cable (514 a); and an adhesive layer (515) made of waterproof material for attaching said electrical cords (512 a, 512 b) of the first connecting unit (512) and the heating cushion (50), allowing the cords being waterproof.
When the present invention being adapted for use of a back cushion, a chair cushion, a seat cushion, a sofa cushion, a sport cushion, a floor cushion or a mattress, it can use conventional 100-240 Vac or 12-24 Vdc transformer for the power supply. As the invention is used in footwear or a garment, the power can be supplied by battery, the power can also be provided through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile. A temperature controlling device (514 d) for regulating the current passing the heating cord (511) and adjusting the temperature thereof can be provided additionally between said second connecting unit (514) and the adapter (514 b).
Said plastic casings (52 a, 52 b) of said heating cushion (50) are selected from a transparent or a non-transparent heat resisting plastic, silicone or rubber. The heating cord (511) and said electrical cords (512 a, 512 b) are provided inside the casings (52 a, 52 b), which are later formed into a predetermined shape by a high frequency wave. The heating cord (511) is provided securely between a first flange (60 a) and a second flange (60 b). Further, the edge of both casings (52 a, 52 b) are processed to form a sealed circumference (60 c), allowing the heating cord (511) within impermeable to water. The second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, illustrates that said first and second flanges (60 a, 60 b) are formed in sections, which not necessary encircling the heating cord (511).
Referring to FIG. 4, the third embodiment of the present invention discloses the heating cushion (50) consists of the heating device (51), enclosed within a compartment made by two plastic casings (52 a, 52 b) having multiples pores (70) provided thereon and are bond together by high frequency wave. The heating device (51) including the flexible heating cord (511) which can be selected from carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber; a first connecting unit (512), which is a female connector, having two electrical cords (512 a, 512 b) where the tips (513 a, 513 b) connecting both ends of said heating cord (511) to form an electrical circuit; a second connecting unit (514), which is a male connector, engaged with the first connecting unit (512), and supplying power to the heating cord (511). Said second connecting unit (514) joins an adapter (514 b) and a plug (514 c) through a cable (514 a); and the heating cord (511) is set between the first and second flanges (60 a, 60 b).
The pore (70) can increase the flexibility of the heating device (51), to avoid being broken when is bent or twisted. As shown in FIG. 5, the heating cushion (50) is placed inside a mat (80) having pluralities holes for drain the water. The water passing the holes of the mat (80) will pass through the pores (70) to avoid moisture residing inside the mat (80) to maintain the mat (80) and heating cushion (50) dry, preferably for use as doormat or seat cushion.
Referring to FIG. 6, the forth embodiment of the present invention has an elongated structure recommended for usage of sofa cushion, sport cushion or mattress. The differences between the first and the firth embodiment are following:

1. The plastic casings (52 a, 52 b) of the first embodiment have a square shape while the casings (52 a, 52 b) have a rectangle shape.
2. The first embodiment has only one heating cord (511), while the forth embodiment has pluralities heating cords (411˜426), each two are paired up and connected to the electrical cords (512 a, 512 b).

The heating cord (511) made of carbon, graphite or metallic fiber can be designed to have different coefficient of current or resistance as required for the use of different applications.
The fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-11, discloses another heating cushion comprising an elastic main body (300), a heating device (40) and an adhesive layer (500) for fixing the heating device (40). The main body (300) is recommended to be made of latex, polyurethane foam (PU Foam), or other foam structure made of elastic fiber. The shape of the main body (300) can be variable to suit the function thereof. Said main body (300) includes a cutting line (310) set thereon for the insertion of a heating cord (410). The cutting line (310) inherits the elasticity from the main body (300), which can facilitate the insertion of the heating cord (410). Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, the cutting line (310) can be set in one line encircling the heating cord (410) or it can be set in multiples short and straight sections. The both ends of said cutting line (310) are provided on a side face of the main body and an opening (32) is set on both ends thereof respectively. Each opening (32) has a fixed member (321) made of silicone for securing the electrical cords (42 a, 42 b) attached to the heating cords (410).
The heating device (40), including at least one heating cord (410) provided in the cutting line (310), a female connector (42) joins with two ends of heating cord (410) respectively, and a male connector (43) pairs up with the female connector (42) for supplying power to the heating cord (410). The heating cord (410), same as the cord disclosed in other embodiments, can be made of carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber. Said female connector (42), having two electrical cords (42 a, 42 b) connecting to both ends of said heating cord (410). The male connector (43) includes an electrical cord (43 a) which connects electrically to an adapter (43 b) and a plug (43 c). A temperature controlling device (44) can be further provided between said male connector (43) and adapter (43 b). The adhesive layer (500), made of a binding material, is applied in an inner portion of the cutting line (310). The heating cord (410) and said two electrical cords (42 a, 42 b) connecting to the heating cords (410) are coupled to a bottom of the cutting line (310) by the adhesive layer (500).
FIGS. 12 and 13 shows a fifth and sixth embodiments, wherein

1. The main body (300) of the fifth embodiment has a square shape while the main body (300) of the sixth embodiment has a rectangle shape.
2. The heating device of fifth embodiment has only one heating cord (410), while the device of sixth embodiment has pluralities heating cords (411˜426), each two are paired up and connected to the electrical cords (42 a, 42 b).

Claims

1. A heating cushion comprising:

a heating device, enclosed within a compartment made by two plastic casings, which sealed by high frequency wave; the heating device including a flexible electrical heating cord selected from carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber;

a first connecting unit, having two electrical cords connecting both ends of the heating cord to form a electrical circuit;

a second connecting unit, engaged with the first connecting unit, and supplying power through a plug, an adapter and an electric cord;

an adhesive layer made of waterproof material for attaching said electrical cords of the first connecting unit and the heating cushion.

2. The heating cushion of claim 1, wherein at least two openings are defined on each plastic casing.

3. The heating cushion of claim 1, wherein said plastic casing is selected from a transparent or a non-transparent heat resisting plastic, silicone or rubber.

4. The heating cushion of claim 1, wherein a temperature controlling device is provided between said second connecting unit and adapter.

5. A heating cushion comprising:

an elastic main body, having a cutting line set thereon;

a heating device, including at least one heating cord provided in the cutting line, a female connector join with two ends of heating cord respectively, and a male connector pair up with the female connector for supplying power to the heating cord; and;

an adhesive layer, made of a binding material, is applied in an inner portion of the cutting line; the heating cord and said two electrical cords connecting the heating cords are coupled to a bottom of the cutting line by the adhesive layer.

6. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein the main body is selected from a back cushion, a chair cushion, a seat cushion, a sofa cushion, a sport cushion, a floor cushion or a mattress.

7. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein the heating cord is flexible and is selected from carbon fiber, metallic fiber or graphite fiber.

8. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein the female connector has two electrical cords for connecting with both ends of the heating cords.

9. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein the male connector including an electrical cord and an adapter and a plug connected electrically to the cord.

10. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein the male connector including an electrical cord and an adapter connected electrically to the cord; a temperature controlling device is further provided between said male connector and adapter.

11. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein both ends of said cutting line are provided on a side face of the main body and an opening is set on both ends thereof respectively.

12. The heating cushion of claim 5, wherein said opening has a fixed member for securing the electrical cords attached to the heating cords.