Chairs and seats – Detachable supplemental flexible pad or cover
Reexamination Certificate
1993-02-22
2001-08-28
Cranmer, Laurie K. (Department: 3507)
Chairs and seats
Detachable supplemental flexible pad or cover
C297S224000, C297S228110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279993
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to supporting surfaces, and more particularly, to the adaptation of support surfaces for golf carts to a wide variety of environmental conditions.
The conventional golf cart includes a user seat, which typically is made from a plastic, such as vinyl. Vinyl seats pose problems of comfort and practicality to the person seated on them.
On a hot day the plastic absorbs solar energy and becomes uncomfortably hot. This poses a problem, particularly when there is contact with a golfer's unprotected skin. In some cases, the heating effect can be sufficiently severe to produce a burn. Even when contact is with protected skin, there often is stickiness associated with plastic seats. Conversely, on a cold day, a vinyl seat can send a cold chill when the person is seated.
In addition, on a rainy day, moisture can collect on the seat and remain because of the relative impermeability of plastic. The result is further discomfort for the golfer.
In an attempt to deal with the discomfort associated with conventional golf cart seats, it is common practice for golfers to use a towel. The ordinary golfing towel is used primarily to wipe clubs and balls. It often has fasteners that make it inappropriate for sitting.
Furthermore, the need to adapt the golf cart seat to a wide variety of environmental conditions ranging from hot to cold is not conveniently met by any of the accessories currently available to golfers.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to adapt support surfaces to a wide range of environmental conditions. A related object is to adapt such surfaces to a wide range of temperature and atmospheric conditions, ranging from excessive heat to relative cold, and from dry to wet conditions.
A further object of the invention is to adapt the seats of golf carts for use in all kinds of weather, ranging from hot to cold, and from rain to shine. A related object is to make such adaptation with golf cart seats of plastic, such as vinyl.
Still another object of the invention is to eliminate the need for towels to protect golfers from seating discomfort associated with adverse temperature and climatic conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the invention provides apparatus for adapting a seating surface to a wide range of environmental conditions by a stretchable cover and means joined to the cover for promoting the retention of the stretchable cover on the seating surface.
In accordance with aspects of the invention, the stretchable cover is absorptive of fluids or insulative. In order to achieve the desired stretchability, the cover can be of a looped pile fabric, such as Terry cloth.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the means joined to the cover can be a side member which promotes the retention of the stretchable cover panel on the seating surface.
The means joined to the cover can be a plurality of side members which promote the retention of the stretchable cover panel on the seating surface. The means joined to the cover can be a side member which is unitary with the cover and promote the retention of the stretchable cover panel on said seating surface.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the means joined to the cover includes an elastomer which promotes the retention of the stretchable cover panel on the seating surface. The elastomer which promotes the retention of the stretchable cover on the seating surface can be integrated into the material of the cover. A plastic seating surface can be included under the cover.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention means can be provided for attaching the cover to a non-seating portion associated with the surface. In particular, a golf cart seat can be attached to the cover.
In a method of adapting a seating surface to a wide range of environmental conditions, the steps include placing a stretchable cover on the surface; and promoting the retention of the stretchable cover on the seating surface. The method can further include the step of insulating the surface by the cover, or the step of absorbing fluid by the cover. In a further step, there can be an increase in the retraction after stretching of the cover. In a still further step there can be attachment of the cover to a non-seating portion associated with the seating surface.
In a method of producing a seating surface that is adaptable to a wide variety of environmental conditions, the steps include converting a looped pile fabric into a cover for the seating surface; and supplementing the looped pile fabric cover by an elastomer to promote the adherence of the cover to the seating surface. In a further step the elastomer can be integrated into the looped pile fabric.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2191956 (1940-02-01), Coldren
patent: 2483223 (1949-09-01), Moss
patent: 4536028 (1985-08-01), Jones et al.
patent: 4705084 (1987-11-01), Rodebaugh et al.
patent: 4718721 (1988-01-01), Pompa
patent: 5014360 (1991-05-01), Smith et al.
patent: 1275736 (1972-05-01), None
Textile Fabrics and their Selection, 7th Edition, Isabel B. Wingate, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1976, pp. 475-476.
Cranmer Laurie K.
Kersey George E.
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