| Molded layer for a seat insert -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Molded layer for a seat insertMolded layer for a seat insert description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060158011, Molded layer for a seat insert. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. application 60/624,254, filed on Nov. 2, 2004 and is incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to improved trim bag insert for use in heating, cooling, ventilation and dehumidification of seats, and more particularly, of vehicle seats. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] For many years the transportation industry has been concerned with designing seats for automotive vehicles that provide added comfort to occupants in the seats. Various innovations in providing seating comfort are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,893,086; 6,872,882; 6,869,139; 6,857,697; 6,828,528; 6,676,207; 6,619,736; 6,439,658; 6,164,719; 6,064,037; 5,921,314; 6,064,037; 5,921,314; 5,403,065; 6,048,024 and 6,003,950, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. In addition, other innovations in providing seating comfort are discussed in U.S. Publication No. 2002/0096931, filed Jan. 5, 2001, titled "Ventilated Seat"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,724, issued Oct. 7, 2003, titled "Portable Ventilated Seat"; U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0070236, filed Oct. 8, 2003, titled "Automotive Vehicle Seating Comfort System", U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0067862, filed: Apr. 12, 2004, titled "Ventilated Seat"; and U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0066505, filed: Apr. 12, 2004, titled "A Method For Ventilating A Seat", each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [0004] In the interest of continuing such innovation, the present invention provides an improved insert and system for a seat, which are preferably suitable for employment within or as part of an automotive vehicle seat and which assist in providing comfort control to an occupant in the seat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention includes a ventilated seat for a vehicle having at least one ventilated component. The ventilated component has a cushion, a trim surface and an insert located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component. The insert includes at least two layers, at least one of which is a molded layer. The at least two layer define an open space, that may include a spacer. The seat also includes an air mover assembly that is in fluid communication with the open space and servers to blow air to or draw air from the insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] In the drawings: [0007] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of an insert that may include a molded layer according to the present invention. [0008] FIG. 2 shows an insert that may include a thermoformed layer according to the present invention. [0009] FIG. 3 shows a molded layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0010] Transportation vehicle seats may comprise at least one ventilated component such as a seat component, a backrest component, a bolster, an armrest, a headrest or the like. Each ventilated component may provide heating, cooling, ventilation or combinations thereof to the occupant, and comprises a seat cushion and a trim surface to cover the seat, as well as a thermal change insert. The present invention relates to a molded layer for incorporation into a thermal change insert. [0011] The thermal change insert will include at least one layer, but preferably includes multiple (e.g. three) layers and each of the layers may be a monolayer or a plurality of layers (e.g. a laminate). The plurality of layers need not be attached to each other but preferably are. More preferably, the layers are attached to each other at least at their edges to form an edge-sealed bag, although this is not necessarily the case. The layers of the insert are typically co-extensive, although partial layers that are not co-extensive with the other layers or the insert may be suitable in certain instances. [0012] The insert and the layers that make up the insert have a seat portion and, optionally, an extension. The seat portion generally is the area of the insert that will provide heating, cooling, ventilation or combinations thereof to the area of the seat used by the occupant, whether the insert is located in the seat component, in the armrest component or elsewhere. The extension permits components of a system that includes the insert to be remote from the seat portion. This allows the components to be conveniently located so that they do not interfere with the comfort of the seat. For example, the extension permits fluid movers and/or thermoelectric device to be located underneath the cushion where they will not be noticeable to the occupant, underneath being relative to the occupant side of the insert. While typically the extension is located at the back of the seat, it may be located on either side, in the front of the seat, on a corner or absent altogether. Multiple extensions may also be used on an insert. [0013] Typically, the insert is supported by a cushion. The cushion may include one or more ducts that extend partially or completely through the cushion, or the cushions may be free of ducts that extend through the cushion. A preferred cushion is a molded plastic foam, which is preferably free of a molded or cut-out fluid distribution ducting network, but may be adapted with a trench or opening for passing the extension from one side of the cushion to the another side (e.g. from top to bottom). The cushion may in turn be supported by a seat frame. Multiple inserts may be used on a single seat or backrest cushion, where inserts may accomplish the same or different functions (e.g. one insert may only cool, while another insert may both heat and cool). [0014] In an alternative to the extension of the insert, a bellows or other conduit may be used to provide connection between the insert and the other components of the system. The bellows provides similar functionality as the extension, e.g. to permit components of the system to be conveniently located remotely from the occupant contacts areas of the seat. The bellows or conduits may be located in a duct extending through the cushion that supporting the insert. Thus, the bellows may be located underneath the seat portion of the insert or connected to an edge of the insert. As with the extension, two or more bellows may be used in conjunction with each insert, each in a separate duct through the cushion or the ducts sharing one or more bellows. The bellows are preferably connected to the insert in a relatively air tight manner, such as through a snap-fit attachment mechanism. [0015] The molded layer of the insert may serve several different purposes within the insert. The molded layer may be used a flow control layer that selectively permits air flow across the layer through one or more through holes. Also, the molded layer may be used as a fluid barrier that is substantially impermeable or impermeable to air or other temperature conditioned fluid utilized in the system. Further, different molded layers within the insert may serve different purposes. Indeed, a single molded layer may serve multiple purposes: acting as a fluid barrier in the seat portion and a flow control layer in the extension. [0016] One suitable embodiment of the insert is shown in FIG. 1. The thermal change insert 10 comprises a seat portion 12 and an extension 14. Layers 16, 20 and 24 are flow control layers, while optional layer 30 may be used as fluid barrier layer. The layers may include ports 26, 28 in the extension to provide access to the interior of the insert (e.g. for air movement). The layers may also include flow holes 32 to provide air movement through the insert or from the insert through the trim surface. [0017] Another suitable embodiment of the insert is shown in FIG. 2. The insert 50 comprises a thermoformed top layer 52 or a thermoformed bottom layer 54 where the seat portion 56 and the extension 58 are formed such that collapse of the extension during installation or use is reduced because the extension is preformed to its installed shape. [0018] The molded layer may be a relatively planar layer without structures on the layer, like a film or laminate, with or without ports, flow holes or other through holes. In another embodiment, the molded layer may include structures that interrupt an otherwise planar layer. Such structures may include air flow conduits, walls at the edge of the layer, walls that segment the interior of the layer, the like and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, one or more conduits are formed on conduits are formed on an otherwise planar layer. In another embodiment, the edge walls may be used to create a molded layer with depth to serve as a receptacle for other layers of the insert (e.g. a spacer). The interior walls may be used to create air flow conduits within the insert. For example, interior walls may be used in combination with edge walls to create conduits in the seat portion of the insert. Continue reading about Molded layer for a seat insert... Full patent description for Molded layer for a seat insert Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Molded layer for a seat insert patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Molded layer for a seat insert or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Foldable furniture device Next Patent Application: Bracket angle adjustment mechanism Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Molded layer for a seat insert patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.25283 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
