US20110198904A1

US20110198904A1 - Impervious wheelchair seat cover system

Info

Publication number: US20110198904A1
Application number: US13/015,330
Authority: US
Inventors: Teena Thomas; William Barnette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-16
Filing date: 2011-01-27
Publication date: 2011-08-18

Abstract

An impervious wheelchair seat cover used to substantially ensure that every patient or individual that is transported through a facility has a clean and sanitary wheelchair. The impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises a seat cover made from impervious materials and cut so that the impervious wheelchair seat cover lines a seat portion, a back portion and an arm portion of the wheelchair. The top and bottom corners have hook and loop fastener securing ties to hold the impervious wheelchair seat cover in place. There also are numerous pieces of adhesive material on the underside of the impervious wheelchair seat cover providing further cohesion to the chair. The arm covers are designed so as not to cover the sides of the wheelchair chair and to accommodate urine bags and other medical attachments. The impervious wheelchair seat cover is disposable or is washable and reusable.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/305,000, filed Feb. 16, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of seat covers and more specifically relates to an impervious wheelchair seat cover that may be used to keep wheelchairs clean and sanitary.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing. Wheelchairs are used by people for whom walking is difficult or impossible due to illness (physiological or physical), injury, or disability.
Wheelchairs are frequently used in hospitals and nursing homes to transport patients from one location to the next. Additionally, most airports, shopping malls and other large public buildings have numerous wheelchairs on hand to assist individuals with disabilities or injuries move more freely around the facility. Being that numerous individuals use these wheelchairs on any given day, these wheelchairs become a likely conduit for infections and illnesses. This is especially true in a hospital or nursing home environment. Sterile processing professionals work to ensure that all shared items are thoroughly sanitized between uses but it is nearly impossible to wash every wheelchair each time it is used. Therefore a need exists for an impervious wheelchair seat cover that may be used to keep wheelchairs cleaner and more sanitary.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,481,736; 7,278,649; 6,312,051; 5,121,938; 6,866,337; and D465,959. This prior art is representative of seat covers. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a wheelchair seat cover should be durable, operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable impervious wheelchair seat cover that may be used to keep wheelchairs clean and sanitary and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known seat cover art, the present invention provides a novel impervious wheelchair seat cover system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an impervious wheelchair seat cover that may be used to keep wheelchairs clean and sanitary. The impervious wheelchair seat cover may be available in a disposable form as well as in a reusable-washable form allowing the seat cover to accommodate a variety of situations. The cover acts as a soil barrier by shielding the back, seat and arms of a wheelchair from bodily fluids and contaminants that can transfer colds, flus, and other infections to other individuals. In the event of an outbreak situation such as a pandemic or an epidemic, this easy-to-use protective covering may possibly keep many people from becoming ill.
The present impervious wheelchair seat cover described herein preferably comprises: at least one disposable impervious wheelchair seat cover. The impervious wheelchair seat cover has side extensions to cover an arm portion removably coupleable to at least one wheelchair. The impervious wheelchair seat cover may be either disposable or washable and reusable in alternate embodiments.
Further, the impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises impervious materials and is cut such that the impervious wheelchair seat cover lines a seat portion, a back portion and an arm portion of the wheelchair whereby the impervious wheelchair seat cover provides a sanitary isolator for the wheelchair. The arm portion is designed so as not to cover the side portions of the wheelchair thereby allowing the accommodation of urine bags and other medical attachments.
The impervious materials may include reinforced, nonwoven, polypropylene based fabrics. Additionally, the impervious wheelchair seat cover acts as a soil(ing) barrier by shielding the seat portion, the back portion, and the arm portion of the wheelchair from bodily fluids and contaminants that transfer colds, flus, and other infections to other user(s). The impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises two top corners, each having at least one hook and loop securing tie and two bottom corners, also each having at least one hook and loop securing tie. Additionally, the impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises a plurality of pieces of adhesive material on an underside of the impervious wheelchair seat cover providing further gripping-adhesion to the wheelchair.
The impervious wheelchair seat cover may be color-coded to provide readily-identifiable means for different classifications and/or conditions. For example a green impervious wheelchair seat cover signifies a user has a condition such as MRSA; a yellow impervious wheelchair seat cover signifies a user is to be isolated; and a tan impervious wheelchair seat cover signifies a user is an impatient.
A kit is embodied herein for the impervious wheelchair seat cover system comprising: the impervious wheelchair seat covers in various colors; replaceable adhesive material; various fasteners for use in securing medical devices and a set of user instructions.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use is disclosed herein comprising: step one mounting the impervious wheelchair seat cover system onto a wheelchair to provide a sanitary surface for a patient; step two sitting the patient on the impervious wheelchair seat cover system located on the wheelchair; step three removing the impervious wheelchair seat cover system when soiled to wash or replace; and step four identifying a medical condition by a color of said impervious wheelchair seat cover (with or without the patient seated therein).
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an impervious wheelchair seat cover system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, impervious wheelchair seat cover system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an impervious wheelchair seat cover system in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the impervious wheelchair seat cover according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating various colors of an impervious wheelchair seat cover that can be used to display patient information according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating urine bags and other medical attachments attached to a wheelchair according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating replaceable adhesive material on an underside of the impervious wheelchair seat cover according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to seat covers and more particularly to impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 designed to keep wheelchair(s) 120 clean and sanitary.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 & 2 showing perspective views illustrating impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 preferably comprises impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 removably coupleable to at least one wheelchair(s) 120. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 preferably comprises impervious materials including reinforced, nonwoven, polypropylene based fabrics. These impervious materials preferably meet stringent Class One flammability requirements of the National Fire Protection Association standards. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 preferably measures approximately 36-inches long by 18-inches along with 16-inch side extensions to cover armrests.
Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is preferably cut such that impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 lines seat portion 108, back portion 110, and arm portion 112 of wheelchair(s) 120. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 may be disposable and sold in packs of ten. It should be noted that in the disposable form of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102, impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 may be packaged in more or less than ten units. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 may also be manufactured to be washable and reusable.
Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 preferably comprises first top corner 130 and second top corner 134. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 also comprises first bottom corner 140 and second bottom corner 144. Furthermore, first top corner 130 and second top corner 134, along with first bottom corner 140 and a second bottom corner 144 comprise at least one fastener. The at least one fastener further comprises securing tie(s), such as a hook and loop fastener securing tie(s) 150.
Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 preferably provides a sanitary isolator for wheelchair(s) 120. Further, impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 acts as a soil(ing) barrier by shielding seat portion 108, back portion 110, and arm portion 112 of wheelchair(s) 120 from bodily fluids and contaminants that transfer colds, flus, and other infections to other patient(s) 160. In the event of an outbreak situation such as a pandemic or an epidemic, impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 may keep a significant amount of patient(s) 160 from becoming ill. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is ideal for use in hospitals and nursing homes as well as in public facilities such as shopping malls and airports. Virtually any individual or establishment that is looking for an efficient way to ensure that wheelchair(s) 120 are clean between uses can benefit from this item.
Referring now to FIG. 3, showing a perspective view illustrating various colors of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 that can be used to display patient information according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is preferably color-coded to provide readily-identifiable means for different classifications and/or conditions. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is preferably green to signify a patient(s) 160 has a condition such as MRSA. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is preferably yellow to signify a patient(s) 160 is to be isolated. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is preferably tan to signify patient(s) 160 is an impatient.
Referring now to FIG. 4 showing urine bags and other medical attachments 400 that may be attached to wheelchair(s) 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Arm portion 112 of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 is preferably designed so as not to cover sides portion(s) 114 of (standard-sized) wheelchair(s) 120 thereby allowing the accommodation of urine bags and other medical attachments.
Referring now to FIG. 5, showing a perspective view illustrating replaceable adhesive material 500 on underside 510 of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 comprises a plurality of pieces of replaceable adhesive material 500 on underside 510 of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 providing further adhesion to wheelchair(s) 120 when used in conjunction with hook and loop fastener securing tie(s) 150.
Impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 may be sold as kit 550 comprising: impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 in various colors; replaceable adhesive material 500; various fasteners for use in securing medical devices, and a set of user instructions.
Impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.
Referring now to FIG. 6, showing flowchart 650 illustrating a method of use 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5. Referring now to FIG. 6. showing a method (at least herein embodying method of use 600) of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102 preferably comprises the steps of: step one 601 mounting impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 onto wheelchair(s) 120 to provide a sanitary surface for patient(s) 160; step two 602 sitting patient(s) 160 on impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 located on wheelchair(s) 120; step three 603 removing impervious wheelchair seat cover system 100 when soiled to wash or replace; and step four 604 identifying a medical condition by a color of impervious wheelchair seat cover 102.
It should be noted that steps four is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Additionally, it should be noted that the steps described in the method of use 600 can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. An impervious wheelchair seat cover comprising:

at least one impervious wheelchair seat cover removably coupleable to at least one wheelchair;

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises impervious materials and is cut so that said impervious wheelchair seat cover lines a seat portion, a back portion and an arm portion of said wheelchair; and

wherein impervious wheelchair seat cover provides a sanitary isolator for said wheelchair.

2. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is disposable.

3. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is washable and reusable.

4. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises impervious materials including reinforced, nonwoven, polypropylene based fabrics.

5. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises two top corners and two bottom corners.

6. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 5 wherein said two top corners and said two bottom corners comprise at least one fastener.

7. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 6 wherein said at least one fastener comprises a securing tie.

8. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 7 wherein said at least one fastener further comprises at least one hook and loop fastener securing tie.

9. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises a plurality of pieces of adhesive material on an underside of said impervious wheelchair seat cover providing further adhesion to said wheelchair.

10. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises side extensions to cover said arm portion.

11. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said arm portion is designed so as not to cover sides portions of said wheelchair thereby allowing the accommodation of urine bags and other medical attachments.

12. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is color-coded to provide readily-identifiable means for different classifications and/or conditions.

13. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 12 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is green to signify a user has a MRSA condition.

14. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 12 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is yellow to signify a user is to be isolated.

15. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 12 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is tan to signify a user is an inpatient.

16. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 1 wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover acts as a soil(ing) barrier by shielding said seat portion, said back portion and said arm portion of said wheelchair from bodily fluids and contaminants that transfer colds, flus, and other infections to other user(s).

17. An impervious wheelchair seat cover comprising:

at least one disposable impervious wheelchair seat cover having side extensions to cover an arm portion removably coupleable to at least one wheelchair;

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises impervious materials and is cut so that said impervious wheelchair seat cover lines a seat portion, a back portion and said arm portion of said wheelchair; and

wherein impervious wheelchair seat cover provides a sanitary isolator for said wheelchair;

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises impervious materials including reinforced, nonwoven, polypropylene based fabrics;

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises two top corners, each having at least one hook and loop securing tie and two bottom corners, each having at least one hook and loop securing tie;

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises a plurality of pieces of adhesive material on an underside of said impervious wheelchair seat cover providing further adhesion to said wheelchair;

wherein said arm portion is designed so as not to cover sides portions of said wheelchair thereby allowing the accommodation of urine bags and other medical attachments;

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover is color-coded to provide readily-identifiable means for different classifications and/or conditions; and

wherein said impervious wheelchair seat cover acts as a soil barrier by shielding said seat portion, said back portion and said arm portion of said wheelchair from bodily fluids and contaminants that transfer colds, flus, and other infections to other user(s).

18. The impervious wheelchair seat cover of claim 17 further comprising a kit including: said impervious wheelchair seat covers in various colors; replaceable adhesive material; various fasteners for use in securing medical devices; and a set of user instructions.

19. A method of using an impervious wheelchair seat cover system comprising the steps of:

mounting said impervious wheelchair seat cover system onto a wheelchair to provide a sanitary surface for a patient;

sitting said patient on said impervious wheelchair seat cover system located on said wheelchair; and

removing said impervious wheelchair seat cover system when soiled to wash or replace.

20. The method of using the impervious wheelchair seat cover system of claim 19 further comprising the step of identifying a medical condition by a color of said impervious wheelchair seat cover.