A PROTECTIVE SEAT COVER

Abstract: A cover for protecting a seat, such as a vehicle seat, from contamination by moisture transmitted from a person sitting in the seat (e.g. due to incontinence or because he is wearing wet clothes) comprises a barrier mat (20) laid over the seat cushion (10) and at least part of the way up the back support (12) of the seat, and removably attached to the seat, and an outer cover (22), typically absorbent, removably attached over the barrier mat. At least the outer cover is easily replaceable.

Description: A PROTECTIVE SEAT COVER This invention relates to protective seat covers, for protecting a seat from moisture transmitted from a person sitting in the seat, the seat being of the kind having a lower support (i.e. the part on which the person actually sits), and an upstanding back support. Examples of such seats include vehicle seats, wheelchairs, child seats and those intended for geriatric use, for example chairs in day centres or hospitals. In general, it is desirable to provide protection for a seat whenever it is likely to be used by someone who might cause or allow it to be contaminated or made wet or dirty, for example an incontinent person, or simply by someone who is wet for any other reason, for instance with sweat. One very common situation of this kind arises when a person enters a motor car wearing rainproof clothing during heavy rain. A large amount of wateer then runs off his clothing and onto the seat. Snce most car seats are of absorbent material, the seat in which he sits is then likely to become very wet; not only is it then uncomfortable, but if the vehicle is not subsequently left well ventilated in a dry atmosphere, the material of the seat will often not dry out fast enough. This gives rise to unpleasant smells and can even lead to rotting of the seat material and/or the growth of moulds. According to the invention, a protective cover, for protecting a seat from moisture transmitted from a person sitting in the seat, the seat having a lower support and an upstanding back support, is characterised in that the cover comprises a moisture barrier mat, a separate outer cover piece, first attachment means on the mat for securing the latter removably to the back support of the seat, and second attachment means for attaching the cover piece removably to the mat, the mat being of water resistant material and so shaped as snugly to overlie the lower support and at least a lower portion of the back support of the seat, and the cover piece being so shaped as to fit over the mat. The invention thus provides a cover that can be designed so as to protect the seat from any moisture transmitted in any way from the person sitting in it, but which can be easily removed for washing and/or drying. The barrier mat is, as stated above, of a material that is water resistant (which term is to be understood to include waterproof). The cover piece will preferably, though not necessarily, be of an absorbent material. The moisture is then absorbed by the cover piece, which is easily removed for washing and/or drying. Any moisture penetrating through to the exposed surface of the barrier mat can be easily washed or dried, and the mat can if necessary be removed for that purpose. A fresh cover piece can then be fitted over the mat, and the seat is once again ready for use. Alternatively, the cover piece may be of a substantially impervious material, or it may be formed with a layer of an absorbent material such as cloth, overlying a substantially impervious layer, or a layer that is water-resistant but not entirely impervious such as to limit the penetration of moisture onto the exposed surface of the barrier mat. One example of a cover piece material of this kind is sheepskin. Where the seat is a vehicle seat, the vehicles may for example be road or rail vehicles, aircraft, the cabs of earth-moving equipment, boats, or ships. However, the invention may be well understood in the context of a motor car seat, and the following description of one embodiment of a protective seat cover in accordance with the invention is given with reference to such a seat, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a barrier mat or liner of the cover in the process of being attached to a car seat; Figure 2 shows an outer cover piece while being attached; and Figure 3 shows the seat with the cover fully fitted. A motor car seat has a lower support or cushion 10 on which a person sits, and an upstanding back support 12 which includes a head restraint 14 projecting upwardly in the usual way at the top edge 16 of the back part 12. The protective cover comprises two separate parts, namely a barrir mat or liner 20, Figure 1, and an outer cover piece 22, Figures 2 and 3. The liner 20 is made of rubber or other suitable, relatively soft, flexible, water-resistant material, and as seen in Figure 1 , it is shaped so as to lie snugly on both the cushion 10 and the squab 24 carried by the back support 12 of the seat. The liner 20 carries first attachment means 26 for attaching it removably at least to the top of the back support 12. In this example it is attached only to the top of the latter, and the attachment means 26 here consist of a loop of elastic material which hooks around the head restraint 14. Other forms of attachment means may be provided instead: for example the mat 20 and the squab 24 and/or top edge 16 may be provided with cooperating fasteners of the hook and loop type, such as those sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO. In another example, the loop 26 may be replaced by a pair of straps which can be adjustably fastened together behind the head restraint 14, so as to form a loop. The cover piece 22 is shaped so as to fit snugly over the mat 20, and also over the seat; it may for example be made of thin sheepskin, or cloth, or any other desired material, and is cut over most of its area to approximately the same shape and size as the mat 20, to which it is removably attached by means of pop fasteners 28. The fasteners 28 may be placed in any convenient positions: in this example there are two pairs, one pair over the back of the seat cushion and one pair level with the top portion of the squab 24. The cover piece 22 may be made of material with a pile such that the outwardly facing blind heads of the pop fastener portions attached to the cover piece 22 are hidden or virtually hidden. As shown in Figure 1 , the mat 20 is laid on the seat so as to overlie the cushion 10 and squab 24, being secured at the top by means of the loop 26 to prevent it sliding down the front of the squab. The cover piece 22 is then fitted over the mat 20, to which it is then attached by means of the fasteners 28. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cover piece 22 has an optional skirt portion 30 which can be drawn neatly around the front and part of the sides of the seat cushion 10, to give the final appearance shown in Figure 3. In some applications it may be unnecessary for the protective cover to provide protection over the whole height of the back support of the seat. In that case the barrier mat may extend only part-way up the back support, the means whereby it is attached to the latter being modified accordingly.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A protective cover, for protecting a seat from moisture transmitted from a person sitting in the seat, the seat having a lower support (10) and an upstanding back support (12), characterised in that the cover comprises a moisture barrier mat (20), a separate outer cover piece (22), first attachment means (26) on the mat for securing the latter removably to the back support (12) of the seat, and second attachment means (28) for attaching the cover piece (22) removably to the mat (20), the mat being of water resistant material and so shaped as snugly to overlie the lower support (10) and at least a lower portion of the back support (12) of the seat, and the cover piece (22) being so shaped as to fit over the mat (20). 2. A protective cover according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cover piece (22) is of a water resistant material. 3. A protective cover according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cover piece (22) is of an absorbent material. 4. A protective cover according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the mat (20) is of rubber. 5. A protective cover according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the first attachment means (26) are carried by one end of the mat (20) for attachment to the back support (12) of the seat with the mat extending downwardly therefrom. 6. A protective cover according to Claim 5 for a seat the back support (12) of which includes a head restraint (14), characterised in that the first attachment means comprises loop-forming means (26) carried by the mat (20) for forming a loop around the head restraint (14). 7. A protective cover according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the second attachment means includes cooperating attachment elements (28) located on the mat (20) and cover piece (22) respectively at one end thereof and being such that, with the cover fitted to a said seat, it depends from the said attachment elements (28). 8. A protective cover according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the cover piece (22) is so shaped as to fit at least partly around the seat (10).

Inventors: LITTLE JOHN CAMERON, LITTLE, JOHN, CAMERON
Applicants: LITTLE JOHN CAMERON, LITTLE, JOHN, CAMERON
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A47C31
IPC codes: A47C31, B60N2