Arrangement and method for providing an air flow within an upholstered seat

• US 6,988,770 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald G. Witchie
• Original Assignee: Ronald G. Witchie
• Inventors: Witchie, Ronald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US10/703,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20050093346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.1, 297/180.11, 297/180.12, 297/180.13, 297/180.14, 297/DIG.6
• US Class Current: 297/180.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5628 coming from the vehicle ventilation system, e.g. air-conditioning system
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance

Abstract

An arrangement and method for producing an air flow within an upholstered seat back or bottom in which a seat insert has a blower mounted in a pouch at the crotch region between the seat back and bottom and has an outlet which directs air flow up through a spacer layer so as to distribute air flow out through a porous seat back cover or beneath a nonporous cover. A solid plastic backing sheet underlies the spacer layer to direct all air flow out from the spacer layer, the plastic sheet also forming the blower pouch. A mesh layer is bonded to the plastic sheet and used to attach the insert to the seat cushion as well as to carry a heating element pattern extending thereover to also enable electrical heating of the seat back or bottom.

Claims

1. An arrangement for circulating air within a seat back or seat bottom of an upholstered seat, said arrangement including an insert in combination with said upholstered seat, said insert including:

a solid plastic backing sheet formed with a pouch at the bottom;

a blower disposed in said pouch and having an inlet adapted to receive air flow to be directed out through a blower outlet;

a spacer layer overlaying said plastic sheet above said pouch and being open to be able to distribute air flow from said blower outlet along the thickness thereof;

said insert disposed beneath a seat cover so that airflow passes out from said spacer layer and out through said seat cover to provide cooling to a person occupying said seat.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said blower inlet is arranged to receive cooled air from a vehicle air conditioner when operated.

3. An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said seat has a cover attached to a foam structure of said seat using hook and loop fastener strips and a perimeter area of said mesh layer is captured between said strips which penetrate said mesh layer.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said insert further includes a mesh layer overlying said spacer layer, and said mesh layer is attached to a foam structure included in said seat.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said mesh layer extends above said plastic sheet to provide a mesh layer section above said plastic sheet.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5 wherein said mesh layer has a heater element extending in a pattern mounted thereto.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said heater element pattern comprises a serpentine pattern held on said mesh layer.

8. An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said plastic backing sheet is bonded to said mesh layer on a top and two side edges.

9. An arrangement according to claim 1 further including a hole in said seat extending to said blower inlet of said insert.