Headrest secured automobile seat cover

• US 6,089,659 A
• Filed: 04/06/1999
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David K. Toyota
• Original Assignee: David K. Toyota
• Inventors: Toyota, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US09/287,022
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 297/228.11, 297/228.12, 297/219.1, 297/229, 297/218.1, 297/218.4, 297/218.5, 24/600.7, 24/116 A, 24/599.8, 24/302, 24/301
• US Class Current: 297/228.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/11 for chairs for headrests only A47C7/386; removable protective covers for car seats B60N2/60
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/316 Strap connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3904 Bead chain fasteners

Abstract

A headrest secured seat cover for vehicles having side-impact airbags mounted within the sides of the seat. The cover comprises a bottom and middle portion attachable to the seat cushion. A top portion of the seat cover is attachable to the seat headrest. In order to attach the seat cover to the headrest, the seat cover includes at least one elastic strap attached to the top portion of the cover and configured to attach the top portion of the cover to mounting bars of the headrest. Since the seat cover is attached to the headrest, the sides of the seat are unobstructed for proper airbag inflation.

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat having a backrest which defines a front surface and two sides, a bottom cushion which defines a top surface, a headrest attached to the backrest via at least one support bar, and a side-impact airbag deployable from one of the sides of the backrest, a cover configured to be attached to the vehicle seat and not interfere with the deployment of the airbag, the cover comprising:

a backing having a bottom portion attachable to the bottom cushion so as to at least partially cover the top surface thereof and a top portion attachable solely to the support bar so as to at least partially cover the front surface of the backrest but not the sides thereof;

at least one top strap attached to the backing for facilitating the attachment of the top portion to the support bar;

at least one bottom strap attached to the backing for facilitating the attachment of the bottom portion to the bottom cushion; and

at least one middle strap attached to the backing for facilitating the attachment of the bottom portion to the bottom cushion.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the support bar comprises a pair of support bars and the top strap comprises a pair of top straps attachable to respective ones of the support bars.

3. The cover of claim 1 wherein each strap is fabricated from an elastic material.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the top strap is attachable to the support bar via a connector.

5. The cover of claim 4 wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of:

a strap fabricated from a hook and loop fastener material;

a buckle;

a hook; and

a ball and chain.

6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the backing is fabricated from a wooly sheepskin material.

7. In a vehicle seat having a backrest which defines a front surface and two sides, a bottom cushion which defines a top surface, and a headrest attached to the backrest via at least one support bar, a cover configured to be attached to the vehicle seat, the cover comprising:

a backing having a bottom portion attachable to the bottom cushion so as to at least partially cover the top surface thereof and a top portion attachable solely to the support bar so as to at least partially cover the front surface of the backrest but not the sides thereof;

at least one top strap attached to the backing for facilitating the attachment of the top portion to the support bar;

at least one bottom strap attached to the backing for facilitating the attachment of the bottom portion to the bottom cushion; and

at least one middle strap attached to the backing for facilitating the attachment of the bottom portion to the bottom cushion.

8. The cover of claim 7 wherein the support bar comprises a pair of support bars and the top strap comprises a pair of top straps attachable to respective ones of the support bars.

9. The cover of claim 7 wherein each strap is fabricated from an elastic material.

10. The cover of claim 7 wherein the top strap is attachable to the support bar via a connector.

11. The cover of claim 10 wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of:

a strap fabricated from a hook and loop fastener material;

a buckle;

a hook; and

a ball and chain.

12. The cover of claim 7 wherein the backing is fabricated from a wooly sheepskin material.