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.

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.

Claims

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.