WEARABLE SEATING ASSEMBLY

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a wearable seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a general desire when in cold or wet environments to have easy access to seating that is warm and dry, particularly when for example participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, and other instances where sitting on a hard, cold and/or damp surface can be uncomfortable. Similar issues may be experienced in certain work settings such as construction and resource extraction.

Carrying a seat is often impractical in recreational or work settings. There is therefore a desire to have a seat that can be transported without needing to be carried independently.

Seats that can be “worn” by a user are known. Prior art wearable seats require users to modify or otherwise interact with the seat to use it. This makes the seats more difficult and time consuming to use, and requires a user to have free hands to use.

The present invention addresses these issues.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the seat of a wearable seat.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with additional reference datum.

FIG. 3 shows the first seating face of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a wearable seating assembly with the strap in a first configuration.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a wearable seating assembly with the strap in a second configuration.

FIG. 6a shows a cross section of another embodiment of the seat of a wearable seat, showing heating element pockets.

FIG. 6b shows a cross section of another embodiment of the seat of a wearable seat, with a single heating element pocket.

FIG. 6c shows a cross section of another embodiment of the seat of a wearable seat, with a heating element pockets where the seating element slot is the same dimension of the seating element pocket.

FIG. 7 shows a user wearing an embodiment of a wearable seating assembly when walking or standing.

FIG. 8 shows a user wearing an embodiment of a wearable seating assembly when sitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

It should be noted that for ease of description, the drawings merely show the related parts of the present application. In a case of no conflict, the embodiments of the present application and features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

The term “generally” as used herein refers to a characteristic, feature, or aspect that is predominantly, but not necessarily exclusively, present or true. It implies a degree of flexibility or variation, allowing for instances or embodiments where the characteristic, feature, or aspect may deviate from a strict interpretation. This term is used to describe a typical or common condition, shape, or arrangement, acknowledging that alternative forms or variations might exist within the scope of the invention.”

The terms “a”, “an”, and/or “the” as used herein do not specifically refer to singular, but may also include plural, unless the context clearly indicates exceptions. Generally speaking, the terms “include” and “comprise” only indicate that the features that have been clearly identified are included, and these steps and features do not constitute an exclusive list. Devices may also contain other features. A feature defined by the statement “comprising (including) a . . . ” does not exclude the case that other identical features exist in the product or device including the feature.

The terms “first” and “second” as used herein are for purpose of description, and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance or implying the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined by “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

FIG. 1 shows a seat 103 of a wearable seating assembly 101 according to an embodiment. In some embodiments seat 103 is of unitary construction. In other embodiments seat 103 may be constructed of two or more separate pieces. Seat 103 has a generally planar body 105. In this non-limiting embodiment body 105 is generally a rectangular shape. Those skilled in the art will recognize that body 105 may be any shape or dimensions suitable for the purposes described herein. For example, in some embodiments seat 103 may be heart-shaped or semicircular. In some embodiments, seat 103 may have dimensions intended for specific demographics. For example a wearable seating assembly for adults may have height 123 between 25 cm and 35 cm, length 125 between about 35 cm to 50 cm, and thickness 124 between about 1.3 cm and 7 cm; or a wearable seating assembly for children may have height 123 between about 10 cm and 18 cm and length 125 between about 14 cm to 25 cm, and thickness 124 between about 1.3 cm and 7 cm.

Body 105 may be comprised of a single material or multiple materials. In some embodiments, the material of body 105 is semi-rigid, has low thermal conductivity, is non-water-permeable, and/or has a low density (to reduce weight and enhance cushioning). In some embodiments, the material of body 105 has a thermal resistance between 0.1761

K · m 2 W

and 0.8805

K · m 2 W .

In some embodiments, body 105 weighs between 50 g and 250 g. An example of such a material for body 105 is closed cell polyethylene foam.

Seat 103 has a first seat face 107 and a second seat face 109 opposite first seat face 107. When wearable seating assembly 101 is being worn by a user, first seat face 107 abuts the body of the user and second seat face 109 faces away from the body of the user. Seat 103 further has a top face 111 and a bottom face 113 opposite top face 111. When wearable seating assembly 101 is being worn by a user top face 111 is closer to the user's head than bottom face 113. Each of first seating face 107, second seating face 109, top face 111, and bottom face 113 are comprised of one or more surfaces of body 105.

Seat 103 further includes a first slot 115 and a second slot 117, each extending through body 105 from first seat face 107 to second seat face 109.

In some embodiments, seat 103 has one or more thinning elements to decrease the vertical rigidity of seat 103 in the region around the thinning elements. The non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has one thinning element comprising seam 119. Seam 119 comprises a cut through the material of body 105 from first seat face 107 towards second seat face 109. In some embodiments seam 119 comprises a cut through the material of body 105 from second seat face 109 towards first seat face 107. In some embodiments seam 119 comprises a cut through the material of body 105 from both second seat face 109 towards first seat face 107 and from first seat face 107 towards second seat face 109. In some embodiments, seam 109 has a depth between 0.3 and 0.75 cm. In some embodiments seam 109 has no thickness (i.e. is formed by cutting the material without removing material). In some embodiments seam 109 has a thickness (i.e. is formed by removing material). In some embodiments the thickness of seam 109 is between 0.1 and 1 cm. Other thinning methods may include: removal of material from one or both of first seat face 107 and second seat face 109; or sewing between first seat face 107 and second seat face 109.

In some embodiments, thinning element reduces the distance between first seat face 107 and second seat face 109 by a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 95% of the original distance between first seat face 107 and second seat face 109. In some embodiments, a thinning element is located between 0.5 and 5 cm below first slot 115 and second slot 117. In some embodiments, thinning elements are located between 20% and 80% of the distance between top face 111 and bottom face 113.

In some embodiments, bottom face 113 of seat 103 incorporates a taper 121 such that first seat face 107 extends lower than second seat face 109. Taper 121 may extend fully (as illustrated in the FIGS. 1 and 2) or partially from first seat face 107 to second seat face 109. In some embodiments, taper 121 has an angle relative to first face 107 of no greater than 45° from the horizontal.

FIG. 2 shows seat 103 with additional reference elements. Seat 103 has a middle point 201. The location of middle point 201 is derived using an arithmetic means. In this example embodiment, middle point 201 is at the center of mass of the body 105. Other non-limiting examples of means of deriving the location of middle point 201 include placing the middle point 201 at the centroid of the body 105, or at a point equidistance from the extremities of the body 105 along three perpendicular axes. First slot 115 and second slot 117 are equidistantly and opposingly spaced from middle point 201.

Middle point 201 is on a horizontal reference plane 203. The intersection of horizontal reference plane 203 with body 105 is shown by line 205. A vertical reference plane 207 is normal to horizontal reference plane 203. The intersection of vertical reference plane 207 with body 105 is shown by line 208. In this embodiment middle point 201 is on vertical reference plane 207 but this is not required in all embodiments. Vertical reference plane 207 divides the body 105 into a first section 209 and a second section 211.

A cross section reference plane 213 is normal to both vertical reference plane 207 and horizontal reference plane 203. In this non-limiting embodiment cross section reference plane 213 is co-planar with the second seating face 109. This is not required and may be impossible in embodiments where the second seating face 109 is not planar. Cross section reference plane 213 may be used to generate cross sections of body 105, such as cross section 215. Cross section 215 intersects body 105 at line 217.

Cross sections such as cross section 215 can be used in the arithmetic derivation of middle point 201. An example of a derivation is placing middle point 201 at the centroid of a cross-section of body 105. Another derivation involves drawing a first line parallel with horizontal reference plane 203 so that first line divides the cross section of body 105 into portions of equal area, then drawing a second line parallel with vertical reference plane 207 so that the second line divides the cross section of the body 105 into portions of equal area, then placing middle point 201 at the intersection of the first and second lines.

A slot reference plane 219 is parallel with horizontal reference plane 203, and positioned between horizontal reference plane 203 and top face 111. The intersection of slot reference plane 219 with body 105 is shown by line 221.

FIG. 3 shows seat 103, as seen looking orthogonally to first seat face 107. This view aids in showing how the first slot 115 and the second slot 117 are positioned. Line 208 shows the reflection of vertical reference plane 207 onto body 105, which divides body 105 into first section 209 and second section 211. The volume of first slot 115 must be entirely within first section 209 and the volume of second slot 117 must be entirely within second section 211. More than 50% of the volume of each of first slot 115 and second slot 117 must be above horizontal reference plane 203 (shown reflected onto body 105 by line 205). In this non-limiting embodiment, 100% of the volume of first slot 115 and second slot 117 are above horizontal reference plane 203. At any cross section taken parallel to cross section reference plane 213, slot reference plane 219 must pass through the profiles of first slot 115 and second slot 117.

FIG. 4 shows wearable seating assembly 101 with both seat 103 (which has been previously described) and a strap 401. Strap 401 threads through first slot 115 and second slot 117 and thus is upwardly offset from a middle point 201 of seat 101. The term “upwardly offset” as used herein means an upward offset of a minimum of 15% and a maximum of 65% of the distance between middle point 201 and top face 111. For example, in embodiments designed for use by adults the upward offset may be between 2 cm and 13 cm; or in embodiments designed for use by children the upward offset may be between 1 cm and 7 cm.

Strap 401 has a mesh 403 and may include an adjustment mechanism 405. Mesh 403 can be made partly or wholly of an elastic material, such as spandex. An adjustment mechanism 405 allows strap 401 to form a closed loop 407, and can adjust the circumference of closed loop 407.

Appropriate adjustment mechanisms are known to the art and will not be described in detail here. Depending on the type of the adjustment mechanism 405, closed loop 407 may be disconnected. Adjustment mechanisms allowing disconnection include side release buckles, double d-ring buckle, and hook-and-loop fastener. Examples of adjustment mechanisms that do not allow disconnection include tension locks, cam locks, and slide adjusters.

Wearable seating assembly 101 has two configurations of strap 401, defined by the positioning of mesh 403 relative to first slot 115 and second slot 117. FIG. 4 shows wearable seating assembly 101 in a first configuration. In the first configuration, wherein strap 401 forms closed loop 407, starting at adjustment mechanism 405 and going along mesh 403: mesh 403 goes through first slot 115 from second seat face 109 and exits first slot 115 on first seat face 107, then mesh 403 enters second slot 117 from first seat face 107 and exits second slot 117 onto second seat face 109 before returning to adjustment mechanism 405.

FIG. 5 shows wearable seating assembly 101 in a second configuration. In the second configuration, using the same notation as previously, mesh 403 enters first slot 115 from first seat face 107 and exits first slot 115 onto second seat face 109, then mesh 403 enters second slot 117 onto the second seat face 109 and exits second slot 117 onto first seat face 107.

Wearable seating assembly 101 can change between the first configuration and the second configuration. The first configuration provides a relatively snugger fit of seat 101 against the user since strap 401 bends outer side sections of seat 101 against the user's body, especially as strap 401 is tightened. In the second configuration seat 101 maintains its original planar shape.

A method of changing configuration involves rotating the seat 103 approximately 180 degrees around a central longitudinal axis 501. Another method of changing configuration involves a user removing strap 401 from seat 103 then replacing strap 401 in the other configuration. The method of changing between the first configuration and the second configuration may depend on the particular embodiment of wearable seating assembly 101.

One skilled in the art will see advantages to either method of changing configurations. The former requires minimal effort from the user to change between configurations but will change first seat face 107 into second seat face 109 and vice versa. This may be disadvantageous if, for example, the face becoming first seat face 107 is wet or dirty, which would then be transferred onto the user when the seat is used. The later method does not change first seat face 107 and second seat face 109 but requires greater time and effort by the user to change between configurations.

FIG. 6a shows a cross section of wearable seating assembly 101 along cross section 215. Wearable seating assembly 101 may include one or more heating element pockets 601 formed in an interior of seat 103. A user may place removable heating elements into heating element pockets 601 to make first seating face 107 warm to improve user comfort in certain conditions. Embodiments with heating element pockets 601 may be used with or without the removable hearing elements. Removable heating elements may comprise any portable heat source, including but not limited to chemical heat sources and electrical heat sources. The non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 6a includes chemical heat sources in the form of disposable chemical hand warmers (such as HotHands™ brand hand warmers). Electrical heat sources can include but are not limited to electrical hand warmers or dedicated heating elements. Wearable seating assembly 101 having one or more heating element pockets 601 may or may not include thinning element such as seam 119. In embodiments with one or more heating element pockets 601, seam 119 does not penetrate through the material of body 105 to heating element pockets 601.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, removable heating elements can be inserted or removed from seat 103 through heating element slots 603. As shown in FIG. 6a, heating element slots 603 connects to heating element pockets 601. In this non-limiting embodiment two heating element pockets 601 of a generally rectangular shape are provided in top and bottom arrangement. Heating element pockets 601 can be in any number, shape and arrangement. In this non-limiting embodiment heating element slot 603 are in top face 111 and bottom face 113.

FIG. 6b shows a non-limiting embodiment with a single heating element pocket 601b. In other embodiments, heating element slots 603 may be anywhere on body 105 that allows access to heating element pockets 601.

As seen in FIG. 6c, in some embodiments heating element pocket 601 may have the same profile as heating element slot 603. In this non-limiting embodiment heating element pocket 601 extends approximately 80% of the distance between top face 111 and bottom face 113.

In some embodiments the material of body 105 is elastically deformable. In these embodiments heating element pockets 601 may be slightly smaller than the removable heating elements and deform to accommodate removable heating elements, firmly securing them.

In some embodiments heating element pocket(s) 601 may simply be a hollowed out interior portion of seat 103 of dimensions that do not necessarily correspond to the dimensions of heating elements. In other embodiments the dimensions of heating pocket(s) 601 do correspond to the dimensions of heating elements.

In some embodiments, body 105 may have features to improve the comfort of users when using the wearable seating assembly 101 with heating elements. For example, users are generally more comfortable when: a greater amount of the thermal energy released from the heating elements is radiated from first seat face 107 (i.e. towards the user) than from second seat face 109 (i.e. away from the user); and when the thermal energy from the removable heating elements is disbursed over a great area of first seat face 107 (assists in avoiding overheating or burns on portions of users in contact with first seat face 107. Embodiments may include one or more feature to achieve either or both of these functions.

In some embodiments, body 105 may have greater thermal resistance between heating element pockets 601 and second seating face 109 than between heating element pockets 601 and first seating face 109. Non-limiting methods of achieving this include:

• • constructing body 105 with a material with lower thermal conductivity between heating element pockets 601 and second seating face 109;
  • constructing body 105 with a layer of material with high thermal resistance between heating element pockets 601 and second seating face 109;
  • constructing body 105 with a layer of reflective material (such as reflective foil) between heating element pockets 601 and second seating face 109 to reflect heat in the direction of the user's body;
  • partially or fully perforating body 105 between first seat face 107 and heating element pockets 601; and/or
  • positioning heating element pockets 601 closer to first seat face 107 than to second seat face 109.

In some embodiments the material of body 105 is selected to have a low thermal conductivity to increase the area over which thermal energy from the heating elements is radiated on the first seat face 107. In some embodiments, body 105 may include one or more thermal radiating elements between heating element pockets 601 and first seat face 107. The thermal radiating elements may have a different thermal conductivity from other materials in the body 105, and diffuse thermal energy generated by the removable heat sources across part or all of first seat face 107.

In some embodiments, one or more “placeholder” foam pieces may be inserted into heating element pockets 601 to maintain the shape of heating element pockets 601 when not in use. In other embodiments, heating element pockets 601, heating element slots 603, and the entrance to heating element slots 603 may be airtight when the entrance is closed, so that heating element pockets 601 do not collapse when a user sits on seat 103.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of wearable seating assembly 101 being worn by a user while standing or walking. Wearable seating assembly 101 includes a safety strap 701. Safety strap 701 prevents wearable seating assembly 101 from being lost in the event of strap 401 failing or breaking. This may be useful, for example, when outdoors where loss may go unnoticed or on work sites where loss may create a hazard. Safety strap 701 may also be used to secure wearable seating assembly 101 to other items worn or carried if the user wishes to take off wearable seating assembly 101 by unbuckling strap 401. Since seat 101 is waterproof it need not be stored and occupy space in for example a backpack. In some embodiments, safety strap 701 may attach one or more “placeholder” foam pieces when they are not in use. These examples are non-limiting and are for illustrative purpose only.

Safety strap 701 is attached to wearable seating assembly 101 at a connection point 703. Connection point 703 may be adjacent top face 1 at upper first seat face 107 and second seat face 109. Methods of connecting straps to an object are known to art. Non-limiting examples may include sewing an end of a strap or attaching the strap to a rivet with a fastener. End 705 of safety strap 701 has an attachment device 707 which is attached to the user at an attachment point 709. Attachment devices are known in the art and will not be described here. Non-limiting examples of attachment devices include carabineers, d-rings, and hook and loop fasteners. Attachment point 709 can be on anything worn or carried by the user, including but not limited to belt loops, backpacks, or clothing.

Strap 401 attaches at or around the hips of the user. Strap 401 holds wearable seating assembly 101 against the lower back/buttocks of the user. This positioning, in addition to the lightweight nature and shape of wearable seating assembly 101, prevents wearable seating assembly 101 from interfering with the user walking or running, and wearing, carrying, or using other garments, bags, or equipment. The user can thus move about with minimal impairment caused by using wearable seating assembly 101. The position of first slot 115 and second slot 117 above the horizontal reference plane 203 places most of the area of seat 103 below the hips of the user.

FIG. 8 shows the user wearing wearable seating assembly 101 in a sitting position. When the user sits, or leans so the buttocks of the user would otherwise contact an external surface, a lower portion of seat 103 initially contacts the external surface. As the user's weight presses second face 109 of seat 103 against the external surface, seat 103 deforms, bending to provide a seating surface between the user and the external surface underneath. Slot 119 and/or taper 121 can be employed in some embodiments to encourage seat 103 to fold under the user easily regardless of the angle at which the user approaches a sitting surface. When the user returns to a standing positing, seat 103 returns to the shape shown in FIG. 7. Importantly, the user does not need to manually manipulate any part of wearable seating assembly 101 to change between sitting and standing/walking positions, i.e., wearable seating assembly 101 provides hands-free operation throughout, and the position of strap 401 returns to the user's hips when the user returns to a standing position.

In some embodiments, when initially sitting down, the user starts bending down slightly in front of the sitting surface. When the user is sufficiently low (i.e., a lower portion of seat 101 makes contact with the sitting surface) the user continues to bend down, but also incorporate a backwards motion. This causes seat 101 to bend (as opposed to possibly translating upwards). Initially seat 101 will only bend, but as it reaches the end capacity of its bending and the user is almost fully seated, the user may optionally pull the foam seat underneath the user, causing seat 101 to slightly slide further down the user hips as permitted by the elasticity of strap 401.

Where a component (e.g. seat, strap, pocket, slot, mesh, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e. that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments:

• • the strap may be two straps, each attached to respective sides of the seat, i.e, the seat does not have slots for threading the strap therethrough;
  • the strap may be a continuous loop of elastic mesh instead of having an adjustment mechanism;
  • the thinning element may be absent;
  • the seat may comprise multiple different forms of the thinning element;
  • the seat may have multiple safety straps to simultaneously attach to a user and to “placeholder” foam pieces;
  • the heating element pocket may be absent;
  • the safety strap may be absent; and
  • the second seat face may be printed with various designs and text, such as for branding, marketing or custom personalization.

Specific examples of apparatus and methods have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.

Various features are described herein as being present in “some embodiments”. Such features are not mandatory and may not be present in all embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any one or any combination of two or more of such features. All possible combinations of such features are contemplated by this disclosure even where such features are shown in different drawings and/or described in different sections or paragraphs. This is limited only to the extent that certain ones of such features are incompatible with other ones of such features in the sense that it would be impossible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment that combines such incompatible features. Consequently, the description that “some embodiments” possess feature A and “some embodiments” possess feature B should be interpreted as an express indication that the inventors also contemplate embodiments which combine features A and B (unless the description states otherwise or features A and B are fundamentally incompatible).

It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions, and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.