Abstract:
A pocket for catching and retrieving items inadvertently dropped in and about the space between a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat console includes two semi-rigid sidewalls extending upwardly from a base and two collapsing walls extending upwardly from the base, which is sized and shaped to be received with the space between the vehicle seat the vehicle seat console. Flexible curtain disposed about and along the top edges of the sidewalls facilitate catching of dropped items. Springs associated with the collapsing walls push the sidewalls apart to maintain placement of the pocket in the space between the vehicle seat and vehicle seat console and to ensure that the pocket is open for catching dropped articles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to carriers for use within automobiles. More particularly, the invention relates to a carrier to be associated with the seat of a vehicle for catching and facilitating retrieval of dropped items. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Drivers and passengers of motor vehicles have long been plagued with the problem of inadvertently dropping small articles between a vehicle seat and seat console, where the article is extremely difficult to retrieve. Although some attention has of late been given to this persistent problem, the known solutions to date have generally focused on providing articles that block the space between a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat console. Unfortunately, this solution is inadequate to the extent that items may still bounce to the floor and, in the case of foodstuffs in particular, the items are generally deflected onto the clothing of the seat occupant or the seat&#39;s upholstery. 
         [0003]    It is therefore an overriding object of the present invention to improve over the prior art by presenting a novel article that catches inadvertently dropped items and, thereafter, facilitates their retrieval. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to present such an article that is also extremely simple and reliable to use, thereby ensuring that the article may be readily deployed in virtually any vehicle. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to present such an article that is also economical in manufacture, thereby making the article appropriate for use as an advertising of like device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—a pocket for catching and retrieving items inadvertently dropped in and about the space between a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat console—generally comprises a first semi-rigid sidewall extending upwardly from a base; a second semi-rigid sidewall extending upwardly from the base; a first collapsing wall extending upwardly from the base; and a second collapsing wall extending upwardly from the base. The base is sized and shaped to be received with the space between the vehicle seat the vehicle seat console, the first semi-rigid sidewall comprises a first flexible curtain disposed about and along its top edge and the second semi-rigid sidewall comprises a second flexible curtain disposed about and along its top edge. The first semi-rigid sidewall is interposed between a first end of the first semi-rigid sidewall and a first end of the second semi-rigid sidewall and the second collapsing wall is interposed between a second end of the first semi-rigid sidewall and a second end of the second semi-rigid sidewall. The first collapsing wall has associated therewith a first spring adapted to push the first end of the first semi-rigid sidewall away from the first end of the second semi-rigid sidewall and the second collapsing wall has associated therewith a second spring adapted to push the second end of the first semi-rigid sidewall away from the second end of the second semi-rigid sidewall. 
         [0005]    Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows, in a perspective view, the most preferred implementation of the pocket for catching and retrieving dropped items of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows, in a front end elevational view, the pocket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows, in a perspective view, the pocket of  FIG. 1  as operatively disposed between a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat console; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows, in a front elevational view, various details of the pocket of  FIG. 1  as disposed in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows, in a top plan view, various additional details of the pocket of  FIG. 1  as disposed in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows, in a side elevational view, yet further details of the pocket of  FIG. 1  as disposed in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto. 
         [0014]    Referring now to the figures, and to  FIGS. 1 and 2  in particular, the most preferred implementation of the pocket  10  of the present invention is shown to generally comprise a first, seat-side sidewall  11 ; a second, console-side sidewall  14 ; a first, front collapsing wall  21  and a second, rear collapsing wall  26 , each dependently attached to and extending upwardly from a preferably elongate base  29 . In accordance with the present invention, each sidewall  11 ,  14  is manufactured as a semi-rigid panel that is sufficiently flexible to generally bend about or otherwise conform to the console-side sidewall  31  of a vehicle seat  30  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of a vehicle seat console  33 , respectively, but that is sufficiently rigid as to maintain the general form as depicted in the various figures. Each collapsing wall  21 ,  26 , on the other hand, is in accordance with the present invention manufactured to enable the sidewalls  11 ,  14  to be squeezed one to the other under external force. In order to maintain the sidewalls  11 ,  14  in their operative positions adjacent to the console-side sidewall  31  of a vehicle seat  30  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of a vehicle seat console  33 , respectively, each collapsing wall  21 ,  26  is also formed as or otherwise provided with a spring  22 ,  27 , respectively, configured or otherwise adapted to firmly push the sidewalls  11 ,  14  apart, especially at their upper portions. In this manner, as will be better understood further herein, the pocket  10  of the present invention may be readily inserted into, and retrieved from, the space  35  between the console-side sidewall  31  of a vehicle seat  30  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of a vehicle seat console  33  and, when in place, the pocket  10  will be automatically opened to catch any item that may be inadvertently dropped into the space  35 . 
         [0015]    As previously suggested, each spring  22 ,  27  of the provided collapsing walls  21 ,  26  of the pocket may be formed unitary with its respective collapsing wall  21 ,  26  or may be provided integral with or otherwise attached to the respective collapsing wall  21 ,  26 . In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, Applicant has found it convenient and effective to provide the springs  22 ,  27  unitary with the collapsing walls  21 ,  26  in the form of accordion type pleats  23 ,  28 , respectively, that are manufactured or otherwise adapted to be biased toward expansion. As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize in light of this exemplary description (including the foregoing discussions and the discussions to follow, as well), however, the required springs  22 ,  27  could also be implemented by attaching, in various locations about the upper portion of the pocket  10 , otherwise conventional springs, which springs, of course, would be provided in compression between the sidewalls  11 ,  14 . 
         [0016]    In any case, in order to doubly ensure that an inadvertently dropped item finds its way into the pocket  10  of the present invention, the sidewalls  11 ,  14  are specifically adapted for maximum conformance with the console-side sidewall  31  of a vehicle seat  30  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of a vehicle seat console  33 , respectively. More specifically, and as particularly shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the second, console-side sidewall  14  is most preferably manufactured to extend substantially above opening into the top of the pocket  10 . In this manner, while the main body of the pocket  10  is generally disposed out of sight below the level of the top surface  32  of the vehicle seat  30 , the second, console-side sidewall  14  extends further upward in order to deflect and/or otherwise guide falling objects into the interior space of the pocket  10 . 
         [0017]    Additionally, however, a generally flaccid curtain  13  is formed or otherwise provided along the top edge  12  of the first, seat-side sidewall  11  of the pocket  10  and, likewise, a generally flaccid curtain  16  is formed or otherwise provided along the top edge  15  of the second, console-side sidewall  14  of the pocket  10 . As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize in light of this exemplary description (including the foregoing discussions and the discussions to follow, as well), the provided curtains  13 ,  16  will readily fill any space that may otherwise exist between the top edge  12  of the first, seat-side sidewall  11  and the console-side sidewall  31  of the vehicle seat  30  and between the top edge  15  of the second, console-side sidewall  14  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of the vehicle console  33 . In this manner, the pocket  10  of the present invention is specifically adapted to ensure that the sidewalls  11 ,  14  of the pocket  10  conform about the console-side sidewall  31  of a vehicle seat  30  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of a vehicle seat console  33 , respectively, without gaps, even in cases of the console-side sidewall  31  of a vehicle seat  30  and/or the seat-side sidewall  34  of a vehicle seat console  33  having a very curved or otherwise complex profile. 
         [0018]    As particularly shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the pocket  10  of the present invention as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in its most preferable implementation, is simply tucked into place in the space  35  between the host vehicle&#39;s seat  30  and console  33  with the top edge  12  of the first, seat-side sidewall  11  of the pocket being positioned slightly below the level of the top surface  32  of the vehicle seat  30 . In a dramatic improvement over the prior art, the springs  22 ,  27  formed unitary, integral or otherwise provided in connection with the collapsing sidewalls  21 ,  26  will (1) enable easy insertion of the pocket  10  into its described operable position and (2) serve to automatically (a) secure the pocket  10  operably in place, (b) conform the sidewalls  11 ,  14  adjacent to the console-side sidewall  31  of the vehicle seat  30  and the seat-side sidewall  34  of the vehicle seat console  33  and (c) ensure that the pocket  10  is wide open for catching any inadvertently dropped item. In order to facilitate removal of the pocket from the space  35  between the host vehicle&#39;s seat  30  and console  33 , for retrieval of a dropped object and/or periodic cleaning of the pocket  10 , a pull  24 , such as, for example, a tab  25  as depicted in the figures or, in the alternative, a D-ring, tether or other substantially equivalent device, is most preferably provided about the base of the first, front collapsing wall  21 . As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the provided tab  25  or other pull  24  may be utilized to readily draw the pocket  10  out from within the space  35  between the host vehicle&#39;s seat  30  and console  33 . 
         [0019]    While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and claims drawn thereto. For example, as shown in the various figures, the present invention also contemplates that the upper portion  18  of the interior face  17  of the second, console-side sidewall  14  may be utilized as a placard, marquee or like signboard  19  for the display of printed or like matter  20 . In this manner, it is contemplated that automobile manufacturers, dealers or repair shops, or any other commercial enterprise, may utilize the pocket  10  as a “giveaway” item serving to advertise the enterprises other goods and/or services. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.