NAP SEAT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/219,838, filed Jun. 24, 2009, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to furniture and, more particularly, to a portable seating/napping device.

Napping has been found to be beneficial. Napping for approximately 20 minutes can help refresh the mind, improve overall alertness, boost mood and increase productivity. Napping may also benefit the heart. A power-nap is a short sleep which terminates before the occurrence of deep sleep or slow-wave sleep (SWS), intended to quickly revitalize the person. Often, a person may not have a place to take a nap and, if they do, they may not have a means to be awoken before the occurrence of deep sleep. Furthermore, a person may not have an appropriate device upon which to take a nap.

As can be seen, there is a need for a portable device that a person may take a nap upon. In addition, there is a need for a device that may alert the person taking a nap before deep sleep fully sets in.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a seat comprises a continuous contoured body receiving surface adapted to receive a body of a user positioned in the seat; a hip support portion formed in the body; a knee support portion extending and rising from the hip support portion in a direction towards a foot end of the seat; a shoulder support portion extending and rising from the hip support portion in a direction towards a head end of the seat; and a head support portion extending and rising from the shoulder support portion in a direction towards the head end of the seat.

In another aspect of the present invention, a seat adapted for a user to take a nap thereupon comprises a continuous contoured body receiving surface adapted to receive a body of a user positioned in the seat; a hip support portion formed in the body, the hip support portion being from about 2 to about 6 inches high; a knee support portion extending and rising from the hip support portion in a direction towards a foot end of the seat; a shoulder support portion extending and rising from the hip support portion in a direction towards a head end of the seat; a head support portion extending and rising from the shoulder support portion in a direction towards the head end of the seat; and a strap at the head end and the foot end of the seat, wherein the seat has a width from about 14 to about 18 inches.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nap seat according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the nap seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the nap seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the nap seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the nap seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the nap seat of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the folded nap seat of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ergonomically designed, inexpensive and portable napping chair/seat. The ergonomic design may allow the user to be comfortably supported throughout the body in a balanced reclining position close to the floor that may encourage sleep. The user's hands may be folded and may rest on the user's chest or stomach while using the nap seat. Unlike a bed, which is designed for several hours of sleep, the nap seat, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may have a slim armless design that can ensure quick naps. Users who fall into a deeper sleep and attempt to turn over may be awakened gently as their arms or legs fall off the nap seat. The device may be easily moved between locations due to its small size, foldability and light weight. The device may be made of “green” recycled material. The device may be covered with a removable cover that may also be washable.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a nap seat 10 may have a one-piece continuous contoured body 12 that may shape and bend to the form of a user's body laying thereupon, as shown in FIG. 2. The nap seat 10 may include a head support area 18, a shoulder support area 20, a hip support area 22 and a knee support area 24. The nap seat 10 may be shaped in an ergonomic fashion to allow a user to comfortably lie thereupon. For example, starting from a foot end 26, when the nap seat 10 is positioned on a floor, the nap seat 10 may be inclined from about 30 to about 60 degrees to the knee support area 24. The knee support area 24 may be from about 7 to about 13 inches, typically about 11 inches, from the floor. The nap seat 10 may then decline from about 20 to about 50 degrees to the hip support area 22. The hip support area 22 may be from about 2 to about 6 inches, typically about 4 inches, from the floor. The nap seat 10 may then incline, from about 30 to 60 degrees, to the shoulder support area 20. The shoulder support area 20 may be formed as an indentation from about 6 to about 14 inches, typically about 8 inches, from the floor. The nap seat 10 may then continue to the head support area 18. Similar to the shoulder support area 20, the head support area 18 may be formed as an indentation from about 12 to about 16 inches, typically about 13 inches from the floor. The nap seat 10, as designed for adults, may be from about 55 to about 66 inches long, typically about 59 inches long. This length and size can be varied for different individuals of different heights. Furthermore, infant and child sized nap seats may be formed in relatively smaller sizes. The overall width of the nap seat 10 may be from about 14 to about 18 inches, typically about 15 inches. Larger widths may be used for larger individuals, including widths sufficient for use as an adjunct for treating obesity.

A strap 14 may be present on the nap seat 10. The strap 14 may, as shown in FIG. 1, span from the rear of a head end 30 of the nap seat 10 to a foot end 26 of the nap seat 10. The strap 14 may be attached to the nap seat 10 along a flat bottom side thereof. A fastener 16 may be formed on each end of the strap 14. For example, a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro® may be used on the ends of the strap 14. In an alternate embodiment, the strap 14 may extend from the foot end 26 and the head end 30, without running the length of the nap seat 10 along its flat bottom side.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the nap seat 10 may be folded, typically near the hip support section 22, so that the foot end 26 approaches the head end 30 of the nap seat 10. In one embodiment, the knee support area 24 may fold into the shoulder support area 20. In this configuration, the fasteners 16 of the ends of the strap 14 may connect to hold the nap seat 10 in the folded position. The strap 14 may also serve as a handle for portability of the nap seat 10.

The nap seat 10 may include a cover (not shown) that may cover the exterior of the nap seat 10. The cover may be removable and may include a closing means, such as a zipper, snap, hook and loop fastener (such as Velcro®), or the like, to hold the cover on the nap seat 10. The cover may include a slit therethrough for the strap 14 to extend. In an alternate embodiment, the strap 14 may attach to the cover. The cover may include a pocket that may align with a side portion of the nap seat 10. The pocket may be useful for holding items, such as a user's wallet, while the user is napping. The nap seat 10 may include other means, such as additional straps, pockets or the like, which may be useful for folding the nap seat 10 into a small volume for portability, storage and shipping.

The nap seat 10 may be formed of conventional materials including, for example, polyurethane foam, canvas, plastic, gel, rubber, metal, leather, memory material or other materials. The nap seat 10 may be designed as an inflatable device. The nap seat 10 may include a number of options, including multiple-person seating or hypo-allergenic, floatable, and/or flame retardant construction. The nap seat could be used for health or rehabilitation purposes, for example, for use in patients with low blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and the like, as additional sleep often helps these conditions. The nap seat may be packaged with various items, such as ear plugs, blanket, timers, sleep books, and the like. The nap seat may also include various personalizations, including monogramming, the addition of company logos, university colors and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.