Automobile seat divider for children

• US 5,971,487 A
• Filed: 04/30/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert P. Passehl
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Passehl
• Inventors: Passehl, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US09/069,541
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 297/464, 297/217.1, 297/232, 297/463.2, 297/411.24, 297/188.01, 297/188.04, 297/188.06, 297/228.1, 297/228.13, 108/44, 108/60, 5/513, 296/24.1, 296/DIG. 1, 296/37.8
• US Class Current: 297/464
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7005 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/91 Panels between front seats

Abstract

A substantially rectangular, vertically-extending divider made of soft compressible material and having a height approximately equal to the height of the rear backrest of a motor vehicle attaches to the rear seat by employing the rear seat center seat belt. A slot at the back of the seat divider receives the center seat belt such that when secured by the seat belt, the soft material of the divider is compressed against the rear seat providing secure retention. The dimension of the seat divider extends forwardly through the interior cabin space between the backrests of individual front seats of the vehicle, and the width of the divider is substantially equal to the space between the front seat backrests. The divider includes a notch at the front bottom corner which receives and rests upon a center console of the vehicle. An internal rigid planar foam core, which extends substantially across the entire side profile of the divider, provides structural integrity to the divider. The divider further includes a cover that may include pockets of various sizes and shapes along its exterior surface.

Claims

1. A child seat divider in combination with a vehicle having an interior cabin space, including front seats with individual backrests and a bench-type rear seat having a center seat belt and a rear seat backrest, comprising:

a substantially rectangular planar, vertically-extending, divider having a height approximately equal to the height of said rear seat backrest;

a securement slot at a back of said seat divider receiving said center rear seat belt, such that when secured by said seat belt, the seat divider is compressed against the rear seat, providing secure retention; and

wherein said seat divider extends forwardly through the interior cabin space between the backrests of the front seats of said vehicle.

2. The seat divider of claim 1, wherein the width of the divider is equal to a space between the front seat backrests.

3. The seat divider of claim 2, further including a central rigid planar core which extends substantially across an entire side profile of the divider, covered on each side by cushions.

4. The seat divider of claim 3, wherein said cover includes side pockets of various sizes and shapes.

5. The seat divider of claim 3, wherein said cover includes a front pocket on a front surface of said seat divider that extends through the interior cabin space, said surface being situated between said front seats of said vehicle.

6. The seat divider of claim 3, wherein said cover is secured around said seat divider with a zipper attached to said cover.

7. The seat divider of claim 3, wherein said cover is secured around said seat divider with buttons attached to said cover.

8. The seat divider of claim 3, wherein said cover is made of a plastic material.

9. The seat divider of claim 3, wherein said cover is made of a cloth material.

10. The seat divider of claim 3, further including cushions on opposite lateral sides of the rigid core.

11. The seat divider of claim 1, further including a cover, wherein said cover surrounds said seat divider.

12. The seat divider of claim 2, further including a notch located at a front bottom corner of said seat divider for receiving a front seat center console upon which it rests.