Ventilated bolster

Abstract

A bolster for supporting an object. The bolster has a frame. A blower is mounted on the frame and configured to blow air through the bolster. A fabric cover includes air-permeable fabric stretched over and secured to the frame to provide cushiony support for the object. The fabric defines a support surface and a bolster interior and is positioned on the frame such that blown air from the blower flows through the bolster interior and passes through the fabric adjacent the support surface to provide ventilation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bolster for supporting an object comprising:
 a frame;   a blower mounted on the frame and configured to blow air through the bolster; and   a fabric cover comprising air-permeable fabric stretched over and secured to the frame to provide cushiony support for the object, the fabric defining a support surface and a bolster interior and being positioned on the frame such that blown air from the blower flows through the bolster interior and passes through the fabric adjacent the support surface to provide ventilation.   
     
     
         2 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises a base and first and second end frame members secured to the base adjacent opposite longitudinal ends of the bolster. 
     
     
         3 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 2  wherein each of the first and second end frame members comprises first and second leg portions and a top portion connecting the first and second leg portions opposite the base. 
     
     
         4 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the cover comprises first and second end margins, the first end margin being secured to the first end frame member along the first leg, top, and second leg portions thereof and the second end margin being secured to the second end frame member along the first leg, top, and second leg portions thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 4  wherein a length of the cover extending between the first and second end margins thereof is stretched along a longitudinal axis of the cover between the first and second end frame members. 
     
     
         6 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the base comprises first and second base frame members, the first base frame member extending between the first and second end frame members adjacent the respective first leg portions thereof and the second base frame member extending between the first and second frame members adjacent the respective second leg portions thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the cover comprises first and second longitudinal edge margins, the first longitudinal edge margin being secured to the first base frame member and the second longitudinal edge margin being secured to the first longitudinal end margin. 
     
     
         8 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 7  wherein a width of the cover extending between the first and second end margins thereof is stretched along a lateral axis of the cover when the cover is secured to the frame. 
     
     
         9 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the blower comprises a first fan mounted on the base adjacent the first end frame member. 
     
     
         10 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the bolster further comprises a second fan mounted on the base adjacent the second end frame member. 
     
     
         11 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 10  wherein each of the first and second fans comprises an air intake grate defining at least a portion of a respective one of the opposite longitudinal ends of the bolster. 
     
     
         12 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the frame is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         13 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a first portion of the cover comprises open mesh. 
     
     
         14 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said first portion of the cover defines the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 14  wherein a second portion of the cover comprises non-porous fabric. 
     
     
         16 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said second portion of the cover connects said first portion of the cover to the frame. 
     
     
         17 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the blower comprises a first fan mounted on the frame adjacent one longitudinal end of the bolster and the bolster further comprises a second fan mounted on the frame adjacent an opposite longitudinal end of the bolster. 
     
     
         18 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the first and second fans are configured and arranged to blow air through the bolster interior in generally opposing directions. 
     
     
         19 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the fabric extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the bolster and the first and second fans are configured and arranged to blow air through the bolster interior generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . A bolster as set forth in  claim 19  wherein blown air from the first blower and blown air from the second blower mix in a longitudinally central portion of the bolster interior to create turbulent air flow in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.