Removable and vertically adjustable storage apparatus for vehicle seat backrest

• US 6,502,900 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Original Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Inventors: Johnston, Kent E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARRETT, ERIKA P
• Application Number:
  US09/965,941
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 297/188.06, 297/188.05, 297/188.07, 297/188.4, 297/188.2, 297/188.21, 312/235.2, 312/235.5, 312/235.8, 108/47, 108/48, 108/44, 211/85.29, 211/103, 211/208, 211/119.007, 211/88.01
• US Class Current: 297/188.06
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat

Abstract

Storage apparatus are provided that attach to vehicle seat backrests and that have a compartment for storing items therein. Each storage apparatus includes opposite upper and lower walls, opposite side walls, and a rear wall that collectively define a compartment. A door is pivotally mounted to the storage apparatus and is movable between a closed position for covering an opening and an open position for allowing access to the storage apparatus via the opening. Each storage apparatus can be removably secured to the elongated support members in multiple vertically spaced-apart positions. Two or more storage apparatus may be removably secured to a vehicle seat backrest in adjacent, vertically spaced-apart relationship.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus that attaches to a vehicle seat backrest, the storage apparatus comprising:

a pair of elongated support members adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart relationship, wherein each elongated support member comprises a plurality of vertically spaced-apart connectors; and

an elongated storage compartment comprising a door pivotally mounted thereto for movement between a closed position for covering an opening in the storage compartment and an open position for allowing access to the storage compartment via the opening, wherein the storage compartment comprises a pair of connectors, each of which is adapted to removably engage any of the plurality of vertically spaced-apart connectors on a respective one of the elongated support members such that the storage compartment can be removably secured to the elongated support members in two or more vertically spaced-apart positions.

2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated storage compartment comprises:

opposite upper and lower walls having a generally rectangular configuration;

opposite side walls having a generally rectangular configuration; and

a rear wall having a generally rectangular configuration, and wherein the storage compartment is removably secured to the elongated support members via the rear wall.

3. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backrest includes a top portion and one or more headrests connected to the top portion via one or more respective support posts, and wherein each elongated support member comprises a hanger adapted to removably attach the support member to the one or more headrest support posts of a respective headrest.

4. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pair of elongated support members are adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship.

5. A storage apparatus that attaches to a vehicle seat backrest, the storage apparatus comprising:

a pair of elongated support members adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart relationship; and

first and second elongated storage compartments adapted to be removably secured to the elongated support members in adjacent, vertically spaced-apart relationship;

wherein each elongated storage compartment comprises a door pivotally mounted thereto for movement between a closed position for covering an opening in the respective storage compartment and an open position for allowing access to the respective storage compartment via the opening.

6. The storage apparatus of claim 5, wherein each elongated storage compartment comprises:

opposite upper and lower walls having a generally rectangular configuration;

opposite side walls having a generally rectangular configuration; and

a rear wall having a generally rectangular configuration, and wherein each storage compartment is removably secured to the elongated support members via a respective rear wall.

7. The storage apparatus of claim 5, wherein the backrest includes a top portion and one or more headrests connected to the top portion via one or more respective support posts, and wherein each elongated support member comprises a hanger adapted to removably attach the support member to the one or more headrest support posts of a respective headrest.

8. The storage apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pair of elongated support members are adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship.

9. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a seat portion;

a backrest attached to the seat portion; and

a storage apparatus attached to a rear portion of the backrest, comprising;

a pair of elongated support members adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart relationship, wherein each elongated support member comprises a plurality of vertically spaced-apart connectors; and

an elongated storage compartment comprising a door pivotally mounted thereto for movement between a closed position for covering an opening in the storage compartment and an open position for allowing access to the storage compartment via the opening, wherein the storage compartment comprises a pair of connectors, each of which is adapted to removably engage any of the plurality of vertically spaced-apart connectors on a respective one of the elongated support members such that the storage compartment can be removably secured to the elongated support members in two or more vertically spaced-apart positions.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the elongated storage compartment comprises:

opposite upper and lower walls having a generally rectangular configuration;

opposite side walls having a generally rectangular configuration; and

a rear wall having a generally rectangular configuration, and wherein the storage compartment is removably secured to the elongated support members via the rear wall.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the backrest includes a top portion and one or more headrests connected to the top portion via one or more respective support posts, and wherein each elongated support member comprises a hanger adapted to removably attach the support member to the one or more headrest support posts of a respective headrest.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the pair of elongated support members are adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship.

13. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a seat portion;

a backrest attached to the seat portion; and

a storage apparatus attached to a rear portion of the backrest, comprising;

a pair of elongated support members adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart relationship; and

first and second elongated storage compartments adapted to be removably secured to the elongated support members in adjacent, vertically spaced-apart relationship;

wherein each elongated storage compartment comprises a door pivotally mounted thereto for movement between a closed position for covering an opening in the respective storage compartment and an open position for allowing access to the respective storage compartment via the opening.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 13, wherein each elongated storage compartment comprises:

opposite upper and lower walls having a generally rectangular configuration;

opposite side walls having a generally rectangular configuration; and

a rear wall having a generally rectangular configuration, and wherein each storage compartment is removably secured to the elongated support members via a respective rear wall.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 13, wherein the backrest includes a top portion and one or more headrests connected to the top portion via one or more respective support posts, and wherein each elongated support member comprises a hanger adapted to removably attach the support member to the one or more headrest support posts of a respective headrest.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 13, wherein the pair of elongated support members are adapted to be removably secured to a rear portion of the backrest in spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship.