Light-weight vehicle seat

• US 5,944,380 A
• Filed: 10/10/1997
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James Atherley
• Original Assignee: James Atherley
• Inventors: Atherley, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/948,691
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.21, 297/195.1, 297/195.11, 297/195.13, 297/214, 297/215, 297/215.11, 297/219.11, 297/DIG. 6, 297/DIG. 1, 297/452.48, 297/452.6 1, 180/219
• US Class Current: 297/195.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/24 for particular purposes or particular vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/12 Box-shaped seats; Bench-type seats, e.g. dual or twin seats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/01 Foam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/06 Hook and loop type fastener

Abstract

A light-weight vehicle seat, particularly well suited for snowmobiles, has a rigid base section for mounting on a vehicle. The base section has a closed-cell structure with cell walls and cell voids such that the base section is substantially light-weight. The closed-cell structure also resists absorbing water, insulates the rider from heat generated by the vehicle, and muffles noise created by the vehicle. The vehicle seat has a flexible seat section for providing a cushioned seat. The vehicle seat also has a waterproof cover for covering the base section and seat section. The vehicle seat is preferably attached to the vehicle with hook-and-loop type fasteners. A utility cavity is formed in the seat. Alternatively, the seat section may be removably disposed on the base section and seat sections of various flexibility provided to suit the weight of the rider.

Claims

1. A light-weight snowmobile seat for a snowmobile comprising:

a generally rigid base section having a lower surface configured for removably mounting on the snowmobile and formed of closed cell foam with cell walls and cell voids such that the base section is substantially rigid and light weight, and such that the base section resists absorbing moisture;

a flexible seat section formed of open cell foam disposed on the base section and having an upper surface on which a rider may sit;

cover means for covering at least the seat section and made of a water resistant material such that the cover means prevents the flexible sear section from absorbing moisture; and

attachment means for removably attaching the base section to the snowmobile including hook-and-loop type fasteners disposed on the base section and the snowmobile and snap type fasteners disposed on the base section and the snowmobile to mate and hold the base section in place when placed upon the snowmobile.

2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat section includes a central portion and a back support portion formed rearwardly of the central portion.

3. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base section has an upper surface and the seat section is disposed on the upper surface of the base section such that the seat section extends over the upper surface of the base section.

4. The seat of claim 1 wherein the base section has an upper surface with an indentation and the seat section is disposed in the indentation.

5. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a cavity formed in the base section for holding items.

6. A light-weight snowmobile seat for snowmobiles comprising:

a generally rigid base section having a lower surface for mounting on snowmobile and formed of closed cell foam with cell walls and cell voids such that the base section is substantially rigid and light weight, and such that the base section resists absorbing moisture;

a flexible seat section formed of open cell foam disposed on the base section and having an upper surface on which a rider may sit;

a cover means for covering the seat section and at least a portion of the base section and made of a water resistant material such that the cover means prevents the flexible sear section from absorbing moisture, the cover means including a lower cover section covering at least a portion of the lower surface of the base section, an upper cover section covering the upper surface of the seat section and at least a portion of the base section, and joining means for releasably joining the upper cover section and the lower cover section together such that the cover means is removable, the upper cover section including a tab extending under the base section; and

an attachment means for removably attaching the base section to the snowmobile, the attachment means including hook-and-loop type fasteners disposed on the cover means and the snowmobile and snap type fasteners disposed on the cover means and the snowmobile to mate and hold the base section in place when placed upon the snowmobile.

7. The seat of claim 6, further comprising a cavity formed in the base portion for holding items.

8. The seat of claim 7, wherein the cover means includes a flap pivotally disposed over the cavity.

9. The seat of claim 6, further comprising a reflective means.