Beds – Support for users body or part thereof – Removable support specially adapted for seating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-04-10
Tretttel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support for users body or part thereof
Removable support specially adapted for seating
C005S925000, C297S228110, C108S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212717
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to household articles with gripping surfaces and more particularly to cushions for chairs and stools as well as placemats and more particularly, to such articles which include a top fabric panel and a bottom panel, where the bottom panel has a high coefficient of friction surface in the form of a rubberized web with an open mesh pattern.
One problem with a variety of a household articles is that they are used on surfaces which are smooth and the articles tend to slip relative to the surface. This is particularly true of chair cushions, which tend to slide along the chair seat as they are being sat upon and placemats which may move along a table or counter as plates or other objects are placed on them.
With regard to chair cushions, string ties are conventionally used to anchor the cushion to the chair. For stools with round seats, an inwardly extending elastic rim may be used to overlap the edges of the seat to secure the cushion.
There have been suggestions in the art that a rubber grip material be used in combination with or be made a part of a cushion. For example, the design patent to Morin, Des. 360,794, issued Aug. 1, 1995 shows a combined child cushion and rubber grip pad unit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,032 entitled “Seat Cushion” issued to Clarke on Jul. 3, 1984, discloses a cushion having a lower layer which has a high coefficient of friction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,852 entitled “Transportable Chair Pad” issued to Quinn on Jul. 4, 1995 shows a plurality of aeration holes. The bottom layer has a high coefficient of friction.
Rubberized web material with an open mesh pattern is commercially available in sheet form. It is used for variety of different applications, including as non-slip padding under rugs and carpets. The sheets have an irregular surface texture which adds to the characteristics of the rubberized material from which it is made to create a very high coefficient of friction surface.
At the same time, the web material has a open mesh design which permits air to pass through readily. It is highly compressible but has sufficient structural integrity to permit it to be sewn to fabric without tearing. These features, as well as low price and ease of handling, make this web material ideal for use as gripping surface for articles such as chair cushions and placemats.
It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide improved articles with gripping surfaces which employ high co-efficient of friction rubberized web bottom panels with an open mesh pattern.
It is another object of object of the present invention to provide improved articles with gripping surfaces formed of commercially available rubberized web material which has sufficient structural integrity to be sewn or otherwise affixed to a fabric panel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide improved articles with gripping surfaces are relatively inexpensive to manufacture using commercially available materials and standard fabrication equipment, but which will function reliably for a long useful life.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cushion is provided including a top fabric panel and a bottom panel of high coefficient of friction material, having an edge. A layer of resilient material is interposed between the panels. Means attach the top panel and the edge of the bottom panel to enclose the resilient layer. The bottom panel is a rubberized web with an open mesh pattern. The pattern is formed of a plurality of a plurality of rows of parallel spaced, side by side, relatively small size openings extending in a first direction. A plurality of columns of collinear, spaced, relatively larger size elongated openings extend in a second direction.
The first and second directions are preferably orthogonal.
A plurality of rows of rectangular areas are formed. Some of the rectangular areas are substantially devoid of openings.
The resilient layer may comprise a foam layer. It may also include any material suitable as fill for a cushion, which may be enclosed in a fabric cover.
The cushion may be designed for use on the seat of a stool. In this case, the top fabric panel is formed so that it extends beyond the attaching means, inwardly along the bottom panel. Elastic means are situated along the edge of the top panel so as to define a recess for receiving the seat of the stool.
The top panel may also include a skirt. The skirt may extend outwardly beyond the attaching means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a placemat is provided comprising a top fabric panel and a bottom panel of high coefficient of friction material, having an edge. Means attach the top panel and the edge of the bottom-panel. The bottom panel is a rubberized web with an open mesh pattern. The pattern is formed of plurality of rows of parallel spaced, side by side, relatively small size elongated openings extending in a first direction. A plurality of columns of collinear, spaced, relatively larger size openings extend in a second direction.
The first and second directions are preferably orthogonal.
A plurality of rectangular areas are formed. Some of the rectangular areas are substantially devoid of openings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 360794 (1995-08-01), Morin
patent: 2156629 (1939-05-01), Hutchinson
patent: 2483223 (1949-09-01), Moss
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patent: 5125121 (1992-06-01), Wroble
patent: 5388295 (1995-02-01), Sarkozi
patent: 5429852 (1995-07-01), Quinn
patent: 5465441 (1995-11-01), Chun
patent: 5601900 (1997-02-01), Doscher
patent: 5621931 (1997-04-01), Hamilton
patent: 5634223 (1997-06-01), Obermaier
patent: 5809595 (1998-09-01), Stevens et al.
patent: 5896603 (1999-04-01), Cooper
patent: 5906878 (1999-05-01), Horning et al.
patent: 6022617 (2000-02-01), Calkins
Epstein Robert L.
James Harold
James & Franklin LLP
Klear-Vu Corporation
Tretttel Michael F.
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