Portable heated stadium seat and method

• US 7,438,356 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tranquilease, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tranquilease, LLC
• Inventors: Howman, John R., Schmidt, Bruce E.
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US11/321,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.11, 297/17, 297/252, 297/352, 297/228.1, 297/228.11, 297/228.12, 297/229, 297/230.1, 297/230.11, 297/230.12, 297/230.13
• US Class Current: 297/180.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/021 Detachable or loose seat cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/425 Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/748 for heating

Abstract

A portable stadium seat having a base and a back for use on bleacher or hard plastic seating is disclosed which has heated seat and backrest members and a self-contained, rechargeable electrical power source for operating an electrical heating element contained in each of the seat and backrest members. The backrest member is hingedly mounted on the seat member, such that it may be folded flat onto the seat member for ease of portability and storage, and the portable heated stadium seat includes a carrying strap to enhance the portability of the portable heated stadium seat. An external recharger is used to charge the batteries prior to use, with the portable heated stadium seat thus being useable in locations where electrical power is not easily accessible.

Claims

1. A portable heated stadium seat comprising:

a substantially rigid seat member;

a first electrically-operated heating element permanently positioned inside said seat member, said first heating element configured to directly generate heat within said seat member;

a contoured backrest member connected to said seat member, said backrest member being moveable between a first position wherein said backrest member is folded onto said seat member and a second position in which said backrest member extends generally upwardly from said seat member;

a second electrically-operated heating element permanently positioned inside said backrest member, said second heating element configured to directly generate heat within said backrest member;

an internally mounted electrical power source comprising a rechargeable battery pack;

an on/off switch for electrically connecting said electrical power source to said first and second electrically-operated heating elements to heat said seat member and said backrest member; and

a fabric enclosure completely encasing said seat member and said backrest member.

2. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, wherein said seat member comprises:

a substantially rigid seat frame member;

and wherein said backrest member comprises;

a substantially rigid, contoured backrest frame member.

3. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising:

a hinge member connecting said seat frame member and said backrest frame member to allow said backrest frame member to pivot with respect to said seat frame member.

4. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising:

a first foam cushion located intermediate said seat frame member and said first electrically-operated heating element; and

a second foam cushion located intermediate said backrest frame member and said second electrically-operated heating element.

5. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 4, additionally comprising:

a first thin pad located intermediate said first electrically-operated heating element and said first foam cushion; and

a second thin pad located intermediate said second electrically-operated heating element and said second foam cushion.

6. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 4, additionally comprising:

a first thin cushion located on a side of said first electrically-operated heating element opposite said first foam cushion; and

a second thin cushion located on a side of said second electrically-operated heating element opposite said second foam cushion.

7. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 6, additionally comprising:

a third thin cushion located on the side of said seat frame member opposite said first foam cushion; and

a fourth thin cushion located on the side of said backrest frame member opposite said second foam cushion.

9. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

support members which limit the maximum angle to which said backrest member can be opened with respect to said seat member when said backrest member is in said second position.

10. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 9, wherein said support members comprise:

a first support strap extending between a corner of said seat member opposite said seat member'"'"'s point of connection to said backrest member and on a right side of said portable heated stadium seat and a corner of said backrest member opposite backrest member'"'"'s point of connection to said seat member and on said right side of said portable heated stadium seat; and

a second support strap extending between a corner of said seat member opposite said seat member'"'"'s point of connection to said backrest member and on a left side of said portable heated stadium seat and a corner of said backrest member opposite backrest member'"'"'s point of connection to said seat member and on said left side of said portable heated stadium seat.

11. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 10, wherein the lengths of said first and second support straps are adjustable to adjust the maximum angle to which said backrest member can be opened with respect to said seat member when said backrest member is in said second position.

12. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a fastening member for releasably retaining said backrest member in said first position with respect to said seat member.

13. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a carrying member for supporting said portable heated stadium seat to transport it when said portable heated stadium seat is in said first position.

14. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 13, wherein said carrying member comprises:

a support strap having an adjustable length.

15. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery pack comprises:

a plurality of nickel-cadmium batteries.

16. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1:

wherein said electrical power source is connected to at least one of a first and a second electrical connector and wherein a circuit including said first and second electrically-operated heating elements is connected to said second electrical connector, said first and second electrical connectors being selectively connectable to place said portable heated stadium seat into an operable state.

20. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a thermostat for electrical connection with said on/off switch, said electrical power source, and said first and second electrically-operated heating elements, said thermostat being mounted in one of said seat member and said backrest member, said thermostat being operable to deenergize said first and second electrically-operated heating elements when they would otherwise be energized when the temperature in said one of said seat member and said backrest member climbs to a first temperature, and said thermostat subsequently being operable to reenergize said first and second electrically-operated heating elements when they would otherwise be energized when the temperature in said one of said seat member and said backrest member drops to a second temperature lower than said first temperature.

21. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 20, wherein said first temperature comprises:

approximately fifty-five degrees Centigrade;

and wherein said second temperature comprises;

approximately forty degrees Centigrade.

22. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a storage pocket located on one of said seat member and said backrest member.

23. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 22, wherein said storage pocket comprises:

a mesh pocket made of elastomeric mesh which will expand and contract as needed to securely hold objects therein.

24. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a logo located on at least one of said seat member and said backrest member, said logo comprising at least one of a sports team name and a sports team logo.

8. A portable heated stadium seat comprising:

a seat member including a substantially rigid seat frame member;

a first electrically-operated heating element located in said seat member;

a backrest member connected to said seat member, said backrest member including a substantially rigid backrest frame member;

said backrest member being moveable between a first position wherein said backrest member is folded onto said seat member and a second position in which said backrest member extends generally upwardly from said seat member;

a second electrically-operated heating element located in said backrest member;

an electrical power source; and

an on/off switch for electrically connecting said electrical power source to said first and second electrically-operated heating elements to heat said seat member and said backrest member;

a first foam cushion located intermediate said seat frame member and said first electrically-operated heating element; and

a second foam cushion located intermediate said backrest frame member and said second electrically-operated heating element;

a front cover segment which is located on a side of said first and second foam cushions which are opposite said seat frame member and said backrest frame member, respectively; and

a rear cover segment which is located on a side of said seat frame member and said backrest frame member which are opposite said first and second foam cushions, respectively, said front and rear cover segments being sewn together at an adjoining edge to fully enclose said first and second foam cushions, said seat frame member, and said backrest frame member.

17. A portable heated stadium seat comprising:

a seat member;

a first electrically-operated heating element located in said seat member;

a backrest member connected to said seat member, said backrest member being moveable between a first position wherein said backrest member is folded onto said seat member and a second position in which said backrest member extends generally upwardly from said seat member;

a second electrically-operated heating element located in said backrest member;

an electrical power source;

an on/off switch for electrically connecting said electrical power source to said first and second electrically-operated heating elements to heat said seat member and said backrest member, wherein said electrical power source is connected to a first electrical connector, and wherein a circuit including said first and second electrically-operated heating elements is connected to a second electrical connector, said first and second electrical connectors being selectively connectable to place said portable heated stadium seat into an operable state; and

an electrical power supply for recharging said electrical power source, said electrical power supply being connected to a third electrical connector, said third electrical connector being selectively connectible to said first electrical connector but not to said second electrical connector.

18. A portable heated stadium seat as defined in claim 17, additionally comprising:

a control pocket located on one of said seat member and said backrest member, said first and second electrical connectors and said on/off switch being located in said control pocket.

19. A portable heated stadium seat comprising:

a seat member;

a first electrically-operated heating element located in said seat member;

a backrest member connected to said seat member, said backrest member being moveable between a first position wherein said backrest member is folded onto said seat member and a second position in which said backrest member extends generally upwardly from said seat member;

a second electrically-operated heating element located in said backrest member;

an electrical power source;

an on/off switch for electrically connecting said electrical power source to said first and second electrically-operated heating elements to heat said seat member and said backrest member; and

a pressure switch for electrical connection with said on/off switch, said electrical power source, and said first and second electrically-operated heating elements, said pressure switch being mounted in said seat member, said pressure switch being operable to deenergize said first and second electrically-operated heating elements when they would otherwise be energized if a user is not sitting on said seat member.

25. A portable heated stadium seat comprising:

a substantially rigid seat member including a first electrically-operated heating element permanently mounted inside said seat member;

a contoured backrest member including a second electrically-operated heating element permanently mounted therein and including an internally mounted, rechargeable battery pack;

said backrest member hingedly connected to said seat member by at least one hinge element;

a fabric enclosure entirely covering both of said seat and back rest members, said backrest member being moveable between a first position wherein said backrest member is folded onto said seat member and a second position in which said backrest member extends generally upwardly from said seat member;

support members which limit the maximum angle to which said backrest member can be opened with respect to said seat member when said backrest member is in said second position;

a thermostat mounted in one of said seat member and said backrest member, said thermostat being electrically conductive when the temperature in said one of said seat member and said backrest member climbs to a first temperature, and said thermostat subsequently becoming not electrically conductive when the temperature in said one of said seat member and said backrest member drops to a second temperature lower than said first temperature; and

an on/off switch, wherein said rechargeable battery pack, said pressure switch, said thermostat, and said on/off switch are in a series circuit with said first and second electrically-operated heating elements.

26. A portable heated stadium seat comprising:

a substantially rigid seat member;

a first heating element permanently mounted inside said seat member;

a substantially rigid backrest member;

a hinge element connecting said seat member and said backrest member, the hinge having a first portion centrally mounted at a rear edge of said seat member and a second portion centrally mounted at a bottom edge of said backrest member;

a second heating element permanently mounted inside said backrest member;

an internally located power source comprising a rechargeable battery pack; and

a mechanism to selectively actuate said power source to cause said first and second heating elements to heat said seat member and said backrest member.

27. A method of making a portable heated stadium seat, said method comprising:

providing a substantially rigid seat member;

permanently mounting a first electrically-operated heating element located in said seat member, said first heating element designed to directly heat said seat member;

providing a substantially rigid, contoured backrest member hingedly connected to said seat member by at least one hinge, said backrest member being moveable between a first position wherein said backrest member is folded onto said seat member and a second position in which said backrest member extends generally upwardly from said seat member;

permanently mounting a second electrically-operated heating element located in said backrest member said second heating element designed to directly heat said seat member;

mounting an electrical power source inside one of said seat member and said backrest member, said power source comprising a rechargeable battery pack;

providing a switch for electrically connecting said electrical power source to said first and second electrically-operated heating elements to heat said seat member and said backrest member; and

completely enclosing said seat member and said backrest member.