Chairs and seats – Detachable supplemental flexible pad or cover – Having flexible hem-inserted securing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-11-06
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Detachable supplemental flexible pad or cover
Having flexible hem-inserted securing means
C297S228130, C297SDIG006
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312051
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to wheelchairs and more particularly concerns accessories for improving wheelchair comfort.
Sitting in substantially the same position for extended periods of time often results, for anyone, in the absorption of perspiration by the portion of our garments which is pressed between our body and the seat. For wheelchair occupants, who sit for extended periods of time and/or expend significant energy in maneuvering the wheelchair, this problem is simply a fact of everyday life. The moisture absorbed by the garments continues in contact with both the skin and the wheelchair, causing skin irritation and disorders to the occupant and possible damage to the occupant's clothing and wheelchair. Spilled liquids present additional moisture problems since wheelchair confinement often makes prompt attention to such occurrences inconvenient or even impossible.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a wheelchair seat cover which improves the comfort of a wheelchair occupant. A further object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which reduces skin irritation and disorders caused by extended exposure to moisture of any kind including perspiration. Yet another object of this invention to provide a wheelchair seat cover which reduces damage to the clothing of the wheelchair occupant by moisture. It is also an object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which reduces damage to wheelchair upholstery by moisture. Still another object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which minimizes moisture contact with the wheelchair occupant. An additional object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which facilitates rapid permeation of moisture into isolation from the wheelchair occupant. A further object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which absorbs moisture, including perspiration and spilled liquids. Another object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which disperses absorbed moisture over a large surface area. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which is easily attached to and removed from the wheelchair seat. And another object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair seat cover which is washable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a cover for a wheelchair seat is made from a cloth having a first ply of wicking material and a second ply of absorbent material. The wicking material draws the moisture that contacts it away from the occupant of the wheelchair and the absorbent material draws the moisture out of the wicking material and disperses it across its volume. The first and second plies are permanently secured in laminar relationship to each other, preferably by a hem along their perimeter, to form the cloth. The cloth is detachably mounted on the wheelchair seat, preferably either by use of an elastic band or by use of hook-and-loop fasteners. In the former case, an elastic band extends within the hem. The band has a length in its unstretched state which is less than the length of the hem, thus securing the cloth to the portion of the wheelchair inserted into it. The elastic band mount is specially preferred for use with removable wheelchair seat cushions. In this embodiment, the hem defines a cloth surface area shaped to cover the seat cushion top wall, the seat cushion side walls and a perimeter portion of the seat cushion bottom wall and the length of the elastic band in its unstretched state is less than the length of the perimeter of the seat cushion bottom wall. In the latter case, the hook-and-loop fasteners are fixed in spaced apart relationship to the cloth and extend outwardly from the hem for connection to mating hook-and-loop fasteners also fixed to the cloth adjacent to the hem. The hook-and-loop mount is specially preferred for use in covering permanent seat parts of the wheelchair, such as the back support. In this embodiment, the hem defines a cloth surface area shaped to cover at least the selected portion of the wheelchair seat. A third ply of impermeable material may also be used to prevent moisture from passing from the absorbent material to the wheelchair. All three plies are secured in laminar relationship with each other by the hem, the absorbent material being between the wicking and impermeable materials.
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Catalano Frank J.
Jr. Milton Nelson
LandOfFree
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