US20040090097A1

US20040090097A1 - Child seat protector pad

Info

Publication number: US20040090097A1
Application number: US10/457,208
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory Bugher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-07
Filing date: 2003-06-09
Publication date: 2004-05-13

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a child seat protector pad is disclosed which is comprised of a rectangular pad of a closed cell foam material that has a footprint somewhat larger than the footprint of a majority of infant and child seats for automobiles; a thickness and density sufficient to distribute the seat load forces internally while not marking the vehicle seat surface; an interior grip handle; and a space on the top surface for decorative art work or commercial advertising. The child seat protector pad protects the vehicle seat surface from indentations caused by the weight of a child seat and/or abrasions to the vehicle's seat surface from relative motion between a loosely strapped child seat and a vehicle seat surface when sandwiched between a child or infant seat and a vehicle seat surface.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention generally relates to a protective pad for installation between leather, cloth, and vinyl automobile seats and child seats strapped to the automobile seats with seat belts and shoulder harnesses. More specifically this invention relates to a closed cell foam pad that acts as a no-skid mounting surface that evenly distributes the pressure from the bottom edges of child seats across the full area of the pad eliminating compression or abrasion marks on the permanent automobile seats.

2. Prior Art

The prior art discloses several different forms of seat cushions for providing an elevated sitting position for a child as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,613 to Jonasson, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,923 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,984 to Molinar or pads with extensions for footrests as in U.S. Pat. No. D 342,405 to Hazel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,903 to Minardi discloses a protective cover for a child seat. Its function is protecting adjacent passengers from the rough or hard surfaces of a child seat, not the underlying vehicle seat.

Most car seats for children have narrow cross-sections where they interface to the vehicle seat surface. The mounting and loading forces of the child seat on the vehicle seat surface, whether it is cloth, vinyl or leather, typically leave ugly indentations on the vehicle seat surface. Abrasion of the vehicle seat surface occurs if the child seat is not securely fastened to the vehicle seat. This abnormal and irregular wear can cause the value of a used vehicle to deteriorate at a more rapid rate than cars without child seats in use. Some consumers have resorted to placing blankets on the vehicle seats before child seats are installed to protect the vehicle seats from the rough edges of typical child seats.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

(a) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which will distribute the weight of the seat, the child and the strapping forces of the seat belt across the area of the seat pad eliminating indentations in the vehicle seat upholstery caused by the bottoms of the narrow sidewalls of typical child seats.

(b) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which will act as an anti-skid device eliminating abrasion of the vehicle seat surface by relative motion between the child seat and the auto seat.

(c) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which has an area on the top surface suitable for decorative artwork or commercial advertising.

(d) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which is easy to carry, adjust and install with and inboard handle grip.

(e) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which is one piece, flat and easy to store when not in use.

(f) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which can be provided in different colors to coordinate with different vehicle interiors.

(g) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which is impervious to moisture and is easy to clean.

(h) to provide a vehicle seat protector pad which is made from a material that can be easily and indelibly decorated.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a child seat protector pad comprises a rectangular pad of a closed foam material that has a footprint somewhat larger than the footprint of a majority of infant and child seats for automobiles. It also has a thickness sufficient to distribute the seat load forces internally while not marking the bottom surface, a interior grip handle and a space on the top surface for decorative artwork or commercial advertising. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. Reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

The accompanying drawings show, by way of illustration, a specific embodiment in which the invention is practiced whereby a copyrighted character is shown for illustrative purposes and is not claimed as a part of this invention.

This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The size and shape of the apparatus shown in the attached drawings is for illustrative purpose only and is not intended to limit the application as to scaling that will be obvious to one skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

DRAWINGS

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the seat pad. [0021]
FIG. 2 shows a front view of the seat pad. [0022]
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the handle grip.[0023]

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0024] 10—seat pad
[0025] 12—handle grip
[0026] 14—area for decorative art or commercial insignia

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the drawings for a more thorough explanation of the apparatus, child [0027] seat protector pad 10 comprises a rectangular pad of closed fine cell foam casting material such as a crosslinked polyolefin from Cellect, LLC, 70 Airport Road, Hyannis, MA 02601 known as MicroCell® with a density sufficient to distribute the seat load forces internal to the pad, not marking underlying the upholstery surface, approximately 1.9 centimeters (¾ inch) thick as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 1 shows a top view of [0028] pad 10 with a footprint somewhat larger than the footprint of a majority of infant and child seats, not shown, for automobiles, approximately 45.7×47 centimeters (18 by 18.5 inches).
An opening with finger indentations for [0029] handle grip 12 is located approximately 6.3 centimeters (2½ inches) from the front edge of pad 10, to aid in the handling and placement of pad 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and in cross-section in FIG. 3.
A copyrighted cartoon character is also shown in FIG. 1, for illustrative purposes only, within the phantom line [0030] rectangular area 14. This area 14 can be utilized either for artwork or for advertising if the pads are to be given away as promotional items. The foam cell structure must be fine enough to allow for detailed printing of indelible inks for decorating and impervious to moisture for ease of cleaning.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for protecting leather, vinyl and cloth automobile seats from compression marks occurring from the pressure of child seats being strapped down against said auto seat and abrasion marks caused by said child seats sliding around on said auto seat surface comprising:

a rectangular pad of a molded closed fine cell foam plastic that is sandwiched between said child seat and said auto seat and has a larger footprint than said child seat.

2. An apparatus for protecting leather, vinyl and cloth automobile seats as in claim 1 wherein said rectangular pad has an internally molded handle for case in installation and handling.

3. An apparatus for protecting leather vinyl and cloth automobile seats as in claim 1 wherein said rectangular pad is of sufficient density to distribute the stresses from a child's weight and strapping forces of said child's seat across the said footprint of said rectangular pad.

4. An apparatus for protecting leather vinyl and cloth automobile seats as in claim 1 wherein said rectangular pad surface is of fine enough grain structure to allow for detailed printing of indelible inks.

5. An apparatus for protecting leather, vinyl and cloth automobile seats as in claim 1 wherein said rectangular pad is impervious to moisture for ease for cleaning.

6. An apparatus for protecting leather, vinyl and cloth automobile seats as in claim 1 wherein said rectangular pad is molded of colors to match or coordinate with an interior color scheme of a vehicle.

7. An apparatus for protecting leather, vinyl and cloth automobile seats as in claim 6 wherein the color of said rectangular pad is selected from a group comprised of tan, grey or black.