Recreational vehicle seat with storage pocket

• US 6,739,655 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Kathryn L., Schwochert, Jeffrey F., Pueschner, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US10/376,862
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 297/195.1, 297/195.12, 297/214, 297/188.01, 297/188.08, 297/188.1, 297/188.19, 297/188.2
• US Class Current: 297/195.12
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/12 Box-shaped seats; Bench-type seats, e.g. dual or twin seats
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/28 Other additional equipment, e.g. back-rests for children
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 9/26 to the saddle, e.g. saddle bags

Abstract

A recreational vehicle comprising a seat with a storage pocket for transporting items is disclosed. The recreational vehicle may be a snowmobile, watercraft, all-terrain vehicle, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The vehicles is provided with a seat which typically comprises a sturdy and resilient frame which supports one or more cushioning layers, and an outer cover. The vehicle seat contains a cavity which serves as a storage compartment. The seat cover contains a pocket which inserts into the storage compartment to serve as a readily removable liner. The pocket is covered with a lid which can be reversibly closed over the pocket opening.

Claims

1. A snowmobile seat for a snowmobile, comprising:

a resilient seat frame configured for removably mounting the seat on a snowmobile;

a flexible seat cushion having a lower surface on the seat frame and an upper surface on which a rider may sit, the seat cushion forming a cavity usable as a storage space, the cavity having an opening on an outer surface of the seat cushion;

a cover comprised of a water-resistant material, the cover covering the flexible seat cushion and fastening to the seat frame, the cover having a lid that selectively covers the opening of the cavity; and

a flexible storage pocket mounted within the cavity and having a single opening towards the lid.

2. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein the storage pocket opens at an end, the end being fastened to the cover.

3. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein the end of the storage pocket is positioned under the lid.

4. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion includes a lower layer of closed cell foam and an upper layer of open cell foam.

5. The snowmobile seat of claim 4, wherein the cavity is formed in the lower layer.

6. The snowmobile seat of claim 5, wherein the open cell foam is formed of polyurethane foam.

7. The snowmobile seat of claim 4, wherein the closed cell foam is formed of expanded polypropylene.

8. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein the storage pocket is formed of nylon fabric.

9. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed of plastic.

10. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein the storage pocket is stitched to the cover.

11. The snowmobile seat of claim 1, wherein a bottom interior of the storage pocket has an internal loop, whereby the storage pocket may be pulled out of the cavity by the loop.

12. A snowmobile having a storage trunk, comprising:

a longitudinally extending chassis including a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having an endless drive track disposed therein, the rear portion defining an operator seat area, the front portion mounting a pair of steerable skis,

a straddle-type seat mounted on the chassis at the operator seat area, the seat having a flexible seat cushion, the flexible seat cushion having an upper surface on which a rider may sit, the seat cushion forming a cavity open to an outer surface of the seat cushion and usable as a storage space;

a cover comprised of a water-resistant material, the cover covering the flexible seat cushion, the cover having a lid that selectively covers the opening of the cavity; and

a flexible storage pocket mounted within the cavity and having a single opening towards the lid.

13. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the seat cushion includes a lower layer of closed cell foam and an upper layer of open cell foam.

14. The snowmobile of claim 13, wherein the cavity is formed in the lower layer.

15. The snowmobile of claim 13, wherein the closed cell foam is formed of expanded polypropylene.

16. The snowmobile of claim 14, wherein the open cell foam is formed of polyurethane foam.

17. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the storage pocket is formed of nylon fabric.

18. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the seat includes a frame.

19. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the storage pocket is stitched to the cover.

20. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein a bottom interior of the storage pocket has an internal loop, whereby the storage pocket may be pulled out of the cavity by the loop.