Abstract:
A car seat storage providing an area of space for storage of loose items within a vehicle. The car seat storage system has a bottom panel connected to two side panels and a front panel. A tuck strip is an extension of the bottom panel, and is used to secure the bottom panel to space between the seat back and the seat bottom. Additional straps and hooks are used to secure the storage system to the seat. The front panel overhangs the front edge of the seat. The front panel is a padded or reinforced panel which presses against the front of the seat edge in the event of an abrupt stopping of the vehicle. The force exerted against the front panel in response assists in maintaining the front panel in an upright position. The seat storage system is configurable to join two seat storage systems in a expanded configuration.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/1452,834 filed Mar. 15, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of storage solutions for automotive vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various objects are often carried within a vehicle. Frequently, objects may be scattered throughout a vehicle due to movement and sudden stopping of the vehicle. Car seat organizers are available for containing various objects within a car. However, many car seat organizers restrict the user&#39;s options by having compartments of pre-determined sizes, which may not be able to hold all the objects as desired by the driver. The use of seat organizers having compartmentalized regions is also disadvantageous because the driver is required to put the item back into the compartment once the driver is done with the item. This can divert the driver&#39;s attention from the road. Other car seat organizers do not have the capacity to secure the organizer to a stationary object within the car, thus the entire organizer and its contents risk being spilled throughout the vehicle when a sudden stop is encountered. Current car seat organizers are also unable to adjust in size to meet the users desired size requirements, and can often be bulky and cumbersome to remove when space is needed to be cleared for passenger seating. 
         [0004]    The present inventor has recognized the need for a car seat storage system which comfortably holds the user&#39;s loose items in the car. 
         [0005]    The present inventor has recognized the need for a car seat storage system which is configurable to various sizes to adapt to the user&#39;s needs. 
         [0006]    The present inventor has recognized the need for a car seat storage system which can easily allow passenger to sit on the eat on which the storage system is being used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A car seat storage system which provides an area of space for storage of loose items within a vehicle is provided. The car seat storage system is secured to the seat such that in the event of abrupt stops, the storage system, and its contents, remains in place on the car seat. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment the car seat storage system comprises a bottom panel connected to two side panels and a front panel. The bottom, side, and front panels, together with the seat back of the seat the storage system is secured to, defines generally a region of space suitable for storing objects within a vehicle. The front panel overhangs the front edge of the seat such that the bottom portion of the front panel is in contact with front edge of the seat. 
         [0009]    The bottom panel is attached to the side panels along seam lines. The bottom panel is attached to the front panel along a seam line. The front panel is removeably attached to the side panels. 
         [0010]    Adjustable straps are used to connect the back end of the storage system to the seat back. Hooks connected to adjustable and removable straps are connected to the bottom portion of the front panel such that the bottom portion of the front panel can be secured to the underside of the seat. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the storage system comprises a tuck strip connected to the bottom panel of the storage system such that when the tuck strip is tucked between the seat back and the seat, the bottom panel is secured to the seat and forward movement of the bottom panel and the panels associated therewith, is limited. The tuck strip can be used in lieu of, or in conjunction with, a strap for securing the lower back portion of the storage system. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, two side-by-side storage systems can be connected by removing the adjacent side panels from their respective front panels, and connecting the two front panels to form a continuous, longer front panel. 
         [0013]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the storage system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the storage system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates the storage system of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed position, from a bottom view. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates the storage system of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed position, from a top view. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  Illustrates one embodiment of the storage system connecting two storage system units to form a larger storage system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the storage system in use containing an object. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the storage system. The storage system  10  is shown being used on car seat  20  with a seat back  30  and a seat bottom  40 , typically characteristic of a front seat. The storage system  10  comprises a bottom panel  50  connected to two side panels  60  along a seam line  61 . The front of the bottom panel  50  is connected to the front panel  70  along a seam line  71  ( FIGS. 2-4 ). The front panel  70  is removeably connected to side panels  60  via an engagement mechanism  75 . The front panel  70  can comprise storage pockets  80  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    The engagement mechanism  75  can be any engagement mechanism which allows the front panel to be releaseably attached to the side panels  60 . The engagement mechanism can be, for example, the use of complementary VELCRO strips on the side panel  60  and on the front panel  70 , or the use of a VELCRO strip  75   a  connected to the front panel  70 , threaded through a buckle  76  on the side panel  60 . Other engagement mechanisms such as snap buttons, clasps and the like, can also be used. 
         [0023]    The bottom and side panels can be made of a flexible material to allow the user to accommodate various objects and their shapes. The flexible material can be fabric, made from synthetic or natural materials. Materials such as nylon or polyesters can be used. Flexible material such as rubber, or rubber like materials with elastic properties can also be used. Other materials, such as silicone or silicone-based materials, can be used to increase the friction between the storage system and the objects contained therein to decrease movement of the loose objects. 
         [0024]    The storage system comprises several different mechanisms for securing the storage system to the seat of a vehicle. The storage system can comprise upper seat back straps  90  and lower seat back straps  100 . Upper seat back straps  90  exert an upward force on the rearward portion of the side panels  60 , while the lower seat back straps  100  exert a rearward force on the side panels  60 . The upper and lower seat back straps are adjustable to suit various sizes of seat backs. Buckles, belts, clasps, VELCRO material, snap buttons, and other suitable mechanisms can be used to impart adjustablity to the straps. The straps can also be made of a resilient, elastic material such as rubber or spandex to allow the straps to adapt to various seat back sizes. Straps can be removeably attached to each other on their distal ends by complementary snap on buckle ends  95  ( FIG. 3 ), VELCRO, snap buttons, and the like. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, a rearward force on the bottom panel  50  and on the side panels  60  is achieved using a tuck strip  120  ( FIGS. 2-4 ), Tuck strip  120  is tucked between, and through, a gap  30   a  between the seat back  30  and seat bottom  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to exert a rearward force on the bottom panel  50 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , both the upper  90  and lower  100  seat back straps are in use, in conjunction with the tuck strip  120 . In other embodiments, the tuck strip  120  can be used with just the upper seat back strap  90 , In car seats where it is not feasible to tuck the tuck strip  120  between the seat back  30  and seat bottom  40 , such as when a car seat cover is in use, the upper and lower seat back straps can be used. 
         [0026]    The tuck strip  120  comprises a generally elongated or cylindrical body  121  disposed within a tubular region  122  of fabric or outer covering. The tuck strip  120  is on the distal end of a tuck panel  130  which is a rearward extension of the bottom panel  50 . The tuck panel  130  remains between the seat back  30  and seat bottom  40 . The elongated or cylindrical body  121  of the tuck strip can be made of a flexible, resilient material such that it can be compressed to be tucked between the seat back  30  and seat bottom  40 , and conform to its original shape once on the other side of the seat back. The elongated or cylindrical body  121  should be of sufficient cross sectional size and of sufficient length to provide enough force to keep the bottom panel  50  in position, even in the event of a sudden stop. 
         [0027]    The tuck panel  130  is adjustable in length to accommodate for the different sizes in car seats. In vehicles where the seat back  30  is less thick, the tuck panel  130  may be too long, and much of the tuck panel  130  is slack on the back side of the seat back  30 . To minimize the slack in the tuck panel  130 , the tuck panel  130  can be rolled around the tuck strip  120 . The portion of the tuck panel  130  taken up by the tuck strip  120  can be held in place by complementary sided VELCRO strips  135 ,  125  on the tuck panel  130  and tuck strip  120  respectively ( FIG. 4 ). Other methods of keeping the tuck panel wrapped in place by the tuck strip  120  can also be used. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a removal strap  120   a  can be provided to make for easier removal of the storage system  10  when not in use. The strap  120   a  comprises a generally U-shaped strap, connected at ends  120   b,    120   c  to the tuck strip  120  by stitching, fasteners, adhesive for other means. The removal strap  120   a  extends between the seat back  30  and seat bottom  40  on top of the bottom panel  50 . The removal strap  120   a  is exposed on the front side of the car seat back  30  and allows a user to pull on the strap  120   a  to pull the tuck strip  120  back through the gap  30   a  between the seat back  30  and seat bottom  40  as a step to disengage and remove the storage system from the seat. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, at least one hook or a pair of hooks  110  ( FIGS. 2-3 ) is used to provide stability to the front end of the storage system. Hooks  110  are located on first bottom strap portion  115   b  which is connected to second bottom strap portion  115   a  by removable engagement mechanisms  111 . Removable engagement mechanisms  111  allow strap first bottom strap portion  115   b  and the hooks  110  to be disengaged from the second bottom strap portion  115   a  when a user does not desire the use of the hooks  110 . Removable engagement mechanism  111  also allows the length of first bottom strap portion  115   b  (or alternately second bottom strap portion  115   a ) to be adjusted such that the hooks  110  can be located at the appropriate distance. The hooks  110  can be used to connect to any protruding ledge, frame, or structure underneath the seat. As illustrated, second bottom strap portion  115   a  is attached to the back of the front panel to minimize the forward movement of the front panel in the event of an abrupt stop. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the front panel  70  comprises a core panel  72  surrounded by the fabric  74  used for the bottom panel  50  and the side panels  60  ( FIG. 6 ). The core panel  72  is made of a flexible, resilient material, and preferably exhibits shape memory characteristics. The core panel  72  is of sufficient rigidity to maintain an upright position. Materials suitable for the core panel  72  include polyurethane and polystyrene foams, rubber, and silicone. Other materials can also be used. 
         [0031]    The front panel preferably exerts a sufficient rigidity such that when the contents press against the top portion  76  ( FIG. 2 ) of the front panel  70 , exerting a force as indicated by the arrow “P” in  FIG. 6 , the front panel  70  pivots generally about seamline  71  ( FIG. 2 ) which generally corresponds to the edge  45  of the seat bottom  40 . Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that when contents press against the top portion  76  of the front panel, the bottom portion  78  of the front panel presses against the seat bottom  40 , causing the seat bottom  40  to exert a force in an opposing direction, which results in causing the top portion  76  of the front panel to move rearward, to keep contents of the storage system in place. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the seat storage system can be configured to provide an expanded storage area. If a larger storage area is desired to carry loose objects in a vehicle, the larger space of the back seats can be used to support two adjacent storage systems as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . To connect two storage systems to provide an expanded storage area, two storage systems can be placed side-by-side, with adjacent side panels disconnected from the front panel and overlaid on a portion of the bottom panel of the adjacent storage system. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , side panel  60   a  from storage system  10   a  is over laid over a portion of the bottom panel  50   b.  Side panel  60   b  (show in dashed lines) from storage system  10   b  is disposed underneath the bottom panel  50   a  of storage system  10   a.  By overlaying the side panel  60   a  over a portion of the adjacent storage system to act as a second layer over a portion of the bottom panel  50   b,  the bottom panels are continuous, and allows for an object to be placed within the area of space defined by the boundaries of two connected storage systems. To connect the front panels of the adjacent storage system together, engagement mechanisms  75  which are used to connect the side panels  60  to the front panel  70  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), are disengaged from the adjacent side panels  60   a,    60   b  in  FIG. 5  to allow the panels  60   a,    60   b  to lay flat along the back seat. The engagement mechanisms  82   a,    82   b  on adjacent front panels  70   a,    70   b  are connected with each other to join the front panels  70   a,    70   b  together. Engagement mechanism  82   a,    82   b  can be complementary parts which can join together by snap fitting such as a releasable clasp or buckle. Alternatively, engagement mechanism  82   a  and  83   b  can be complementary VELCRO strips. Depending on the type of engagement mechanism selected to join the side panels to the front panels, and the front panels to each other, engagement mechanisms on either side of the front panel  82   a,    83   a,  and  82   b , 83   b  may be complementary to allow engagement mechanisms which are adjacent  82   a,    82   b  in the expanded storage configuration to complementarily engage with each other. 
         [0033]    In the expanded configuration, in one embodiment, the upper seat back straps  90   a,    90   b  are joined together to secure the expanded storage system to the seat back. The straps can also be secured in other ways, such as around the back of the seat, depending on the configuration of the back seats. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , tuck strips (not visible.) are used to anchor the rearward portion of the bottom panel to the region between the seat back and seat bottom. Depending on the configuration of the back seats, a user may be able to use the lower seat back straps as well or in lieu of the tuck strips to secure the expanded storage system to the seats, or to provide more rigidity to the storage system. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the side panels and/or the bottom panels can also be made with a core panel similar to the front panel to provide for a padded effect. 
         [0035]    In use, the user places the storage system on the desired seat(s) and secures the storage system to the seat using the upper seat back straps with the tuck strip and/or with the lower seat back straps. If using the tuck strip, the user determines an appropriate length of the tuck panel for the thickness of the seat back, and scrolls any excess tuck panel material around the tuck strip, Alternatively, the tuck strip can remain in the region between the seat back and the seat bottom, and need not extend to exit on the back side of the seat. A user can secure the front panel by adjusting the straps connected to the hook to determine the appropriate length needed for the hooks to reach a support or a frame with which to engage. 
         [0036]    If a passenger desires to sit in the seat being occupied by a storage system, the user can disconnect the side panels from the front panels and sit over the bottom panel of the storage system. This allows a user to easily change the seating area from being able to carry a passenger to being a storage area, without having to disassemble or remove the storage system from the seat. 
         [0037]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.