# US 10,765,220 B2 · Drainage channels in foam pad seating

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- Number: US 10,765,220 B2
- Document ID: US10765220B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/922,354
- Filed: 2018-03-15
- Published: 2019-09-19
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-15
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line; Spencer Hoernke; Marcos Silva Kondrad
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765220B2

## CPC

- A47C 7/66: Means to protect against weather
- A47C 7/18: having foamed material included in cushioning part
- B32B 3/08: characterised by added members at particular parts {(layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B3/14, B32B3/18)}
- B32B 3/20: of hollow pieces, e.g. tubes; of pieces with channels or cavities
- B32B 3/263: {characterised by a layer having non-uniform thickness}
- B32B 3/30: characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)}
- B32B 5/18: characterised by features of a layer {of} foamed material
- B32B 5/24: one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B 5/32: {at least two} layers being foamed {and next to each other}
- B32B 9/025: {comprising leather}
- B32B 9/04: comprising such {particular} substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a glass layer B32B17/06; layered products with at least two ceramic layers composed mainly of ceramic B32B18/00)}
- B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)}
- B32B 27/30: comprising vinyl {(co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers}
- B60N 2/5891: {characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for}
- B60N 2/70: Upholstery springs {; Upholstery}
- B32B 2250/04: 4 layers
- B32B 2266/025: Polyolefin
- B32B 2266/06: Open cell foam
- B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption
- B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption
- B32B 2605/003: Interior finishings
- A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A seat cushion assembly that includes a first foam pad defining a plurality of water drainage columns disposed therethrough. A second foam pad is disposed below the first foam pad where the second foam pad and the first foam pad define at least one flow channel in fluid communication with the at least one water drainage column. A topper pad is disposed over the first foam pad and the at least one water drainage column.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seat cushion assembly comprising:
a first foam pad defining a plurality of water drainage columns disposed therethrough and defining top pad grooves disposed on a bottom portion of the first foam pad;
a second foam pad disposed below the first foam pad and defining bottom pad grooves disposed on a top angled portion of the second foam pad, the second foam pad and the first foam pad defining at least one flow channel in fluid communication with the plurality of water drainage columns; and
a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad, the top pad grooves, and the plurality of water drainage columns.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the topper pad is substantially porous to water.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the water drainage column is configured to direct water to the flow channel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the second foam pad is configured to have an angled surface to direct water in the at least one flow channel to a drainage hole.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the first foam pad is chamfered to direct water into the plurality of water drainage columns.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of water drainage columns of the first foam pad are positioned in one or more rows.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the first foam pad defines three rows of one or more water drainage columns.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second foam pad comprise an open-cell expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
electronic components disposed below the second foam pad.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
attachment features disposed below the second foam pad that are configured to secure the second foam pad to an underlying seating suspension assembly.

### Claim 11

A seat cushion assembly comprising:
a first foam pad defining top pad grooves thereon and defining a plurality of water drainage columns disposed therethrough;
a second foam pad disposed below the first foam pad and defining bottom pad grooves on a top angled surface of the second foam pad, wherein the first and second foam pads define a flow channel in fluid communication with the drainage columns; and
a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 11, wherein the first foam pad is chamfered to direct water into the plurality of water drainage columns.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 11, wherein the second foam pad is configured to have an angled surface to direct water in the flow channel to a drainage hole.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 11, wherein the topper pad is substantially porous to water.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of water drainage columns of the first foam pad are positioned in one or more rows.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 11, further comprising:
attachment features disposed below the second foam pad that are configured to secure the second foam pad to an underlying seating suspension assembly.

### Claim 17

A method of making a cushion assembly, the method comprising:
forming a first foam pad;
forming a plurality of water drainage columns positioned through the first foam pad;
operably coupling a second foam pad with the first foam pad to define a flow channel being in fluid communication with the plurality of water drainage columns; and
operably coupling a topper pad over the first foam pad.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
forming an angled surface on the second foam pad to direct water into the flow channel.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
forming a drainage hole in the second foam pad.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
forming the first foam pad to have a chamfered top surface to direct water into the plurality of water drainage columns.