U.S. patent application number 10/420612 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for removable car seat cover.
Invention is credited to Hanks, Chadwick L..
Application Number | 20040212230 10/420612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33298529 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040212230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanks, Chadwick L. |
October 28, 2004 |
Removable car seat cover
Abstract
An automotive vehicle seat cover (10) includes two forms (12,14)
interconnected with a flexible member (16) which is water and
moisture impermeable as well as non-tearable. Optionally, the forms
are bent so as to provide concave surfaces facing the underlying
seat (34) and backrest (36) for stability and slippage retardation.
A still further option, are the provision of tabs (40,42) for
receipt within a space between the seat and backrest fixedly
positioning the seat cover (10) in place.
Inventors: |
Hanks, Chadwick L.; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GEORGE J. NETTER
LAW OFFICES OF GEORGE J. NETTER
260 S. LOS ROBLES AVE. #216
PASADENA
CA
91101-2897
US
|
Family ID: |
33298529 |
Appl. No.: |
10/420612 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/229 ;
297/219.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/6018
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/229 ;
297/219.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automotive vehicle seat cover adapted for being sat upon,
comprising: first and second forms, each constructed of a length of
flexible springlike material in the shape of a rod folded onto
itself in a closed path of a first area; a flexible sheet member
constructed of a liquid impermeable material having a second area
exceeding about twice the first area; first means for securing the
outer edge portions of the sheet member to the first and second
forms including a generally rectangular strip folded onto itself
with two facing sides received onto a form; and second means for
securing the first means to the sheet member in enclosing relation
about a form; the first and second forms being located on the sheet
member in spaced apart relation with a centrally located region of
the sheet member being free of the forms.
2. A seat cover as in claim 1, in which each of the forms includes
a first side that extends transversely of a user and which are
located respectively approximately under the knees of the user and
a second side located opposite the shoulder blades during use, said
first and second sides being convexly curved away from the seat and
backrest when unstressed and substantially flat and uncurved when
sat and leaned upon.
3. A seat cover as in claim 1, in which spacer guide means are
affixed to the centrally located region of the sheet member facing
generally toward the seat and backrest in use for removably
positioning the seat cover on the seat and retarding slippage.
4. A seat cover as in claim 3, in which the spacer guide means
include first and second tabs that are received in the biteline
between the backrest and the seat.
5. A seat cover as in claim 1, in which each of the first and
second forms is constructed of a length of spring wire bent into
desired shape with the opposite ends thereof brought close
together, and a clamp is secured about the end portions of the bent
wire holding them unitarily together.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a seat cover,
and, more particularly, to a seat cover for an automotive vehicle
that is impermeable to moisture passing therethrough and damaging
the underlying seat, which cover is readily foldable into a compact
package for carrying or storage.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A number of different approaches have been utilized in the
past to prevent or reduce the soiling of seating in an automotive
vehicle, all of which are accompanied by one or more disadvantages
even if they are capable of accomplishing the basic seating
protection function. One approach is to make the seating itself of
a material that is resistant to soiling and can be readily cleaned
which in a sense adopts the philosophy of assuming the seating will
become soiled and facilitating the cleaning operation. Of course,
cleaning wears out the item cleaned to a certain extent, therefore,
the more cleaning the sooner repair and replacement is required. In
both housing seating furniture and seating for automotive vehicles,
a customary protective technique is to affix "slipcovers" or "seat
covers" onto the underlying seating which are intended to remain in
covering relation throughout the life of the slipcovers, and which
are themselves both expensive and require cleaning. Another
approach is to treat seating with certain chemical materials (e.g.,
so-called Scotchguarding) that provides an outer surface that can
be wiped clean rather easily and the underlying seating is
preserved at the same time. Still further, there are informal ways
of protecting seating by such means as throwing a blanket or the
like over the seating which, of course, shifts around during use
and forms lumps that may be unpleasant to sit upon, and, of course,
will itself in time require cleaning.
[0005] The soiling of seating problem is exacerbated by individuals
who have been exercising or engaging in sport and then seat
themselves without taking any precautions to protect the seating.
In such cases, perspiration transferred to the seating may be
considerable and can both physically damage the seating as well as
provide it with an unpleasant odor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A primary object and aim of the present invention is the
provision of an improved removable car seat covering means that is
light-weight and prevents fluids passing through to the underlying
seat.
[0007] Another object as in the previous object is the provision of
a car seat covering which is relatively rigid in use and easily
foldable into a conveniently small package for storage.
[0008] Yet another object as in the previous objects is the
provision of a seat cover restingly located on an underlying seat
and backrest with means for deterring shifting of the seat cover
relative to the seat when the weight of an individual is applied to
the seat cover.
[0009] Another object is the provision in the car seat covering
means of tabs for positively locating the seat covering means with
respect to the underlying seat and backrest.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed
description and upon reference to the attached drawings in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown mounted
in place on underlying seating;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational sectional view taken along line
2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternative version
of seat cover means shown in unstressed condition;
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective and side elevational
views of yet another version of the invention with mounting tabs
for positively locating the seat covering means on the underlying
seat and backrest; and
[0015] FIGS. 5A and B are sectional views taken through edge
portions of the forms and flexible covering showing manner of
joining.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Turning now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there
is shown a first embodiment of a seat cover 10 in accordance with
the present invention. In its major parts, the seat cover 10
includes first and second substantially identical flexible and
springlike forms 12 and 14 of generally circular shape secured to a
flexible sheet member 16, which forms are preferably constructed of
metal wire bent shape and end-connected by a clamp 17. More
particularly, the member 16 is preferably constructed of a material
having good moisture impermeability characteristics as well as
being relatively non-tearable as will be discussed later.
[0017] Turning now to FIG. 5A, which is a sectional view through a
wire form in the region at an outer edge of a seat cover 10. The
flexible member material is fitted within the wire form and
continuously contacting the inner edge of the wire form. An
elongated rectangular woven or braided textile strip 18 is folded
lengthwise about the enclosed form and member 16. Finally, the
strip has its facing edges connected together by sealing and
securing means 20 (e.g., continuous line of stitching) that holds
the opposed strip edges and member 16 clamped therebetween in a
tightly secure manner. This manner of edge securement extends
across the opposite outside ends 22, 24 and down the lateral edges
26, 28 to where the respective forms extend laterally and face one
another across an extent 30 of the flexible sheet member 16 that is
free from the forms and readily bendable along any angular
axis.
[0018] The strip 18 that has enclosed the outer edge portion of one
of the wire forms as just described extends about the edge of the
member 16 with sealing and securing means 20 in the extent 30 and
beyond to enclose the remaining wire form in the same manner as
shown in FIG. 5A. As the forms extend transversely across seat
cover spaced from one another by the member extent 30 they are
enclosed within the member 16 as shown in FIG. 5B. More
particularly, the form is pressed against the flexible member 16 so
that the flexible material forms a pocket within which the form
rests. Then, a length of strip 18 sandwiches the material 16 about
the wire form and the form is secured therewithin by a continuous
line of sealing and securing means 20.
[0019] The overall dimensions of the seat and adjacent backrest 10
are such as those typically allotted for one person such as driver,
for example.
[0020] As can be seen best in FIG. 2 and indicated by the curved
arrow, the seat cover 10 can be folded onto itself along a fold
line 32 extending between and generally parallel to two seat cover
portions defined by the two forms forming a smaller overall package
for seat cover storage when not in use.
[0021] In use, cover 10 is opened up and laid onto the underlying
seat 34 and backrest 36 with the extent 30 free from forms being
positioned in the so-called biteline of the seat. An individual can
now sit on the cover and be assured that the underlying seat and
backrest will not be soiled. At the conclusion of use, the cover
can be readily lifted off the the underlying seat 34 and backrest
36, folded up and stored away in a convenient place. The described
invention can be especially advantageously employed by an
individual who has just engaged in considerable exercise and
desires to protect the underlying seat and backrest from
perspiration damage and soiling.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of seat
cover 38 is shown which differs from the first embodiment primarily
in that the forwardmost side of the form that is typically located
under the knees of someone sitting on the seat cover is bent
upwardly into a continuous curved configuration when in the
unstressed condition with a space D existing between the central
lower surface of the seat cover 38 and the underlying vehicle seat
34. When someone sits on the cover, this will tend to flatten the
seat out somewhat effecting a gripping action of the underlying
vehicle seat to deter relative slippage movement that could require
corrective repositioning of the cover 38.
[0023] For yet a third embodiment, reference is made to FIGS. 4A
and 4B. This embodiment can be applied to either of the first two
embodiments already described, and is especially advantageous for
use where the underlying seat and backrest are separated by a
slight gap. First and second flat and relatively rigid tabs 40 and
42, which can be of identical dimensions and geometry, and
preferably with rounded edges 44 to prevent hangup as will made
clear, are secured to what is the back outer surface of the
flexible sheet member extent 30, one adjacent each opposite side of
the cover 10 (or 38). As shown, the tabs in use are inserted
between the backrest and underlying seat and serve to hold the
described seat cover in place during use.
[0024] Turning now to FIG. 5B, the manner of securing the flexible
material 16 and braid 18 about a form 12 or 14 immediately adjacent
the central extent 30 is shown. More particularly, the flexible
material 16 is wrapped completely about the enclosed form and the
braid 18 is sandwiched about the material 16 and form 12,14 and
secured by, say, a line of stitching 46. This enclosing method by
the braid extends substantially across the full width of the extent
30 for each of the forms 12,14. The outer peripheral edge of the
described seat cover is enclosed by the braid as shown in FIG.
5A.
[0025] Although the invention has been described in connection with
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that those skilled in
the appertaining arts may make changes coming within the spirit of
the invention as described within the ambit of the appended
claims.
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