Abstract:
A seat cover for an infant/child seat having a seat portion and a back portion and straps for securing an infant/child within the seat comprises a cover member for mounting on at least a part of the seat portion and/or back portion of the infant/child seat. At least one aperture is formed in the cover member for receiving a strap to allow a part of the strap to pass therethrough. A fastener is formed on at least one of the apertures for opening and closing at least a portion of the aperture.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/518,557 filed Nov. 7, 2003, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 

   FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to covers for infant and/or child seats, and, in one form, to infant/child seats for use in vehicles such as cars, aircraft, and the like. The infant/child seat may be a personal infant/child carrier used in the home, or carried or used with a stroller. However, the cover of the invention for use with the infant/child seats may also be used in many other contexts, including general home use. 
   Infant/child seats are well known and extensively used by parents of young children, ranging in age from new born infants and toddlers all the way up to older children who may be ten or eleven years of age. A typical infant/child seat may comprise a molded frame, often made of a hard plastic material, configured in the shape of a chair with a seat portion for sitting on and a back portion to support the back. The frame may be designed so as to fit within a vehicle, such as a car or an airplane, in such a way that it can utilize the existing seat belts in the car or airplane whereby the infant/child&#39;s seat can be firmly and securely attached to the regular car seat and frame or chassis of the vehicle. For seats for infants and/or younger children, the frame of the seat may itself attach to an intermediate base (typically included with the seat) which fits in, and may be appropriately secured to, the seat or other structure of a car or airplane. When properly installed and fastened in a vehicle, the infant/child seat is therefore securely anchored, which naturally increases the safety of the infant/child in the seat in case of an accident. In many jurisdictions, infant/child seats for children below a certain size and/or weight are mandated by local and/or federal law. 
   In addition to having connections which enable the infant/child seat to be anchored to the vehicle in which it is mounted, the infant/child seat will typically have its own seat belt configuration so that the infant/child can be strapped in the seat, especially when the seat itself is anchored to the vehicle. In a conventional type of infant/child seat, the seat belt configuration will comprise a pair of lateral shoulder straps over the back portion of the seat and a central seat area strap which is located between the legs of the infant/child in use. The infant/child is strapped into the infant/child seat using a shoulder strap over each of the shoulders of the infant/child, and the shoulder straps fasten to the central seat area strap, preferably with a releasable locking mechanism. The shoulder straps themselves may merge with, or converge toward, each other before locking with the central seat area strap, or they may separately be attached to the locking mechanism which would, therefore, constitute the meeting point for all three straps. This configuration may create a five point safety restraint system. 
   The typical infant/child seat will also have a cushioning or a mattress which will provide greater comfort to the infant/child. The cushioning will in most cases cover the seat portion as well as the back portion of the infant/child seat, and conventionally comprises a single piece shaped and dimensioned to fit the contours of at least a part of the seat portion and back portion of the infant/child seat frame. The cushioning will typically have a fabric exterior which surrounds and accommodates a soft foam or other material which is present to make the cushioning comfortable. 
   The cushioning is often a decorated fabric and must be properly installed on the infant/child seat frame. Thus, the cushioning will have slots or holes appropriately located to permit both the shoulder straps as well as the central area strap to pass therethrough for use on the infant/child. The slots must be properly located so that the shoulder straps and the central area strap are not functionally impeded, and the cushioning is also correctly mounted on the seat. Installing the cushioning will thus often involve the dismantling of one or more of the shoulder straps and central area strap with respect to the infant/child seat, positioning the cushioning on the frame seating area, and thereafter rethreading the shoulder and cental area straps through the slots and/or holes both in the infant/child seat as well as in the cushioning for further operation and use. 
   Installing the cushioning can sometimes prove a time consuming and/or complicated task, since it may involve dismantling the infant/child seat straps and then reassembling though the various slots, anchors, clasps and other types of hardware that the infant/child seat may have. There is also the risk that incorrect installation of the various straps making up the seat belt configuration could occur, compromising the effectiveness of the infant/child seat and its safety, which would of course be undesirable. 
   Furthermore, the cushioning often becomes dirty and requires frequent washing and cleaning in order to remove food, debris and various stains which may typically develop. As such, one option which is available with respect to infant/child seats to instal a protective or decorative cover over the cushioning of the infant/child seat, which has the effect of shielding the original cushioning. Further, different patterns of covers may be used as desired. 
   The problem of installation of the cover for the infant/child seat is much the same as that encountered in the installation of the cushioning itself. While slots or apertures are provided in the cover for the infant/child seat, the process of disconnecting the various seat belts and then reinstalling them in the correct manner persists. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a seat cover for an infant/child seat having a seat portion and a back portion and straps for securing an infant/child within the seat, the seat cover comprising: a cover member for mounting on at least a part of the seat portion and/or back portion of the infant/child seat; at least one aperture formed in the cover member for receiving a strap to allow a part of the strap to pass therethrough; and fastening means on at least one of the apertures for opening and closing at least a portion of the aperture. 
   Preferably, the cover member is mounted over the seat portion and back portion of the seat, and the cover member comprises an elasticized peripheral edge to facilitate releasable attachment of the cover member to the seat. 
   In a preferred form of the invention, the cover member has a seat cover portion for covering the seat portion of the seat and a back cover portion for covering the back portion of the seat. 
   The apertures may comprise a pair of elongate slots in the back cover portion of the cover member, the pair of elongate slots being positioned on the back cover portion so as to correspond approximately to the position of the straps on the back portion of the infant/child seat. Each elongate slot may have a longitudinal edge, and the fastening means is located along at least a portion of or adjacent to the longitudinal edge. 
   Preferably, each elongate slot comprises an upper region and a lower region, with an intermediate region therebetween, the fastening means being configured so as to fasten the longitudinal edges of the intermediate region to close the elongate slots at the intermediate region, with the upper region and lower region being open. 
   The fastening means comprises Velcro® strips, buttons, a zipper, a plurality of hook-and-eye connectors and/or a plurality of fastening studs. 
   The seat cover may further comprise an aperture in the seat cover portion for receiving a strap from the seat portion of the seat. 
   In one embodiment, the seat cover further comprises a hood associated therewith, the hood being mountable on the seat in an adjustable manner so as to provide a protective shield or barrier when located in a selected position. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the seat cover is for a seat where the back portion thereof has two shoulder straps, each shoulder strap extending from a rear of the back portion to a front of the back portion through an upper and lower slot respectively, the aperture on the cover member comprising an elongate slot extending at least from the upper slot to the lower slot for the shoulder straps, the fastening means of the apertures being formed along edges of the apertures between the upper slot and the lower slot. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting a seat cover on an infant/child seat having a seat portion and a back portion, and straps for securing an infant/child in the seat, the method comprising: forming an elongate aperture in the seat cover, the aperture extending at least between a first point at which a strap crosses from the rear of the seat to the front of the seat, and a second point at which the same strap crosses from the front of the seat to the rear of the seat, and providing a fastening member along at least a portion of the aperture; and either opening the aperture by unfastening the fastening means to enable to seat cover to be removed without interference from the straps, or closing the aperture by fastening the fastening means when the straps have been pulled therethrough so as to leave openings only at or about the first and second points where the straps cross between the front of the seat and the rear of the seat. 
   According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cover for an infant/child&#39;s seat including a seating area and seat belts for securing an infant/child in the seating area, the cover comprising a shaped fabric to substantially conform to the contours of the seating area, at least one aperture formed in the shaped fabric for receiving at least one of the seat belts, and closure means for at least partially closing the aperture when the seat belt has been passed therethrough. Preferably, there is an aperture for each shoulder strap of the infant/child seat, the aperture having a closure means. 
   Preferably, the cover can be fairly rapidly installed and removed, and may cover the entire seating area as well as the back area of the seat. 
   Preferably, the apertures are of sufficient size and length to allow the seat belt(s) to be drawn therethrough without the need to remove the seat belts from their installed position on the infant/child seat. The cover is therefore able to be placed over the seating area, the seat belts pulled through the apertures into an operational position, and the apertures then at least partially closed off so that openings only remain where needed to allow the seat belts to feed onto the seat area. 
   Preferably, the closure means may comprise Velcro™ strips along one or more edges, or portions, of the cover with corresponding Velcro™ strips formed on the opposite edge, or portion, of the aperture so that the aperture can be closed off at least partially when the Velcro™ strips are connected to each other. When so connected, the apertures will preferably be substantially sealed except for those areas where an opening for the seat belt is required. The closure means may comprise means other than Velcro™, for example buttons, hooks and eyes, fastening studs, zippers or other forms of closing mechanisms, including any combination thereof. 
   The cover of the invention facilitates relatively rapid installation, removal and/or replacement of a seat cover without the need to remove or alter the seat belt(s) on the infant/child seat, and also permits the receiving apertures to be largely closed once the cover is installed to provide a substantially full cover to all or most parts of the seating area. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference is now made to the drawings. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an uninstalled seat cover in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, showing the apertures in an open position; 
       FIG. 2  is a back view of a conventional infant/child seat for use in a vehicle showing a portion of some of the seat belts used; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the uninstalled seat cover shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings, but shown with the apertures in the closed or fastened position; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the seat cover shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings when mounted on a infant/child seat, with the apertures in the open position; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the seat cover shown in  FIG. 3  of the drawings when mounted on a infant/child seat, with the apertures in the closed position; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a hood structure attachable to an infant/child seat. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a seat cover  10  of the invention. The seat cover  10  comprises a cover section  12  which has a peripheral edge  14  which may be elasticized so that it can easily fasten or engage in a releasable manner to the infant/child seat. The cover section  12  has generally two areas, namely a seat area  16  and a back area  18  which, respectively, cover the seat and the back of the infant/child seat. Two approximately parallel lateral slots  20  and  22  are formed within the back area  18  and a single slot  24  is formed in the seat area  16 . 
   Each lateral slot  20  and  22  has a pair of edges  26  and  28  and each edge  26  and  28  has an upper section  30 , a middle section  32 , and a lower section  34 . Along the middle section  32  of each edge  26  and  28 , there is formed a fastening mechanism  36 . The fastening mechanism  36  comprises a first Velcro™ strip  38  on the edge  26  and a corresponding second Velcro™ strip  40  along the edge  28 . The first and second Velcro™ strips  38  and  40  can easily be releasably fastened to and unfastened from each other. Fastening has the effect of closing off at least a portion of the lateral slots  20  and  22 , while conversely, unfastening the first and second Velcro™ strips  38  and  40  opens these lateral slots  20  and  22 . 
   Reference is made to  FIG. 3  of the drawings which illustrates the seat cover  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 , but with the first and second Velcro™ strips  38  and  40  of both of the lateral slots  20  and  22  closed off. In this configuration, only smaller apertures  42  and  44  will allow the slots  20  and  22  to part at their edges  26  and  28  to accommodate the seat belts as will be described in more detail below. Note that the central slot  24  does not typically require any fastening since it need only be small to allow a central seat strap to be pulled therethrough. 
   In  FIG. 2 , the rear of a car seat  50  is shown. The car seat  50  has a frame  52  molded to provide a seat  54 , a back  56  and side walls  58  on each side of the seat  54 . The car seat  50  can be secured in a vehicle in conventional fashion. The back  56  has a left upper orifice  60 , a left lower orifice  62 , a right upper orifice  64  and a right lower orifice  66 . Each of the upper sections  30  of the slots  20  and  22  are formed to be at the approximate location of the upper orifices  60  and  64 . Each of the lower sections  34  of the slots  20  ands  22  are formed to be at the approximate location of the lower orifices  62  and  66 . The orifices  60  and  62  are adapted to fit one shoulder seat belt  70  while the orifices  64  and  66  are adapted to fit the other shoulder seat belt  72 . 
   The seat belt  70  passes through the upper section  30  of slot  20  to the front of the seat back  56  and then back behind the seat back  56  by passing through the lower section  34  of the slot  20 . Similarly, the seat belt  72  passes through the upper section  30  of slot  22  to the front of the seat back  56  and then back behind he seat back  56  by passing through the lower section  34  of the slot  22 . 
   The elongate shape of the slots  20  and  22  allow the entire front section of seat belts  70  and  72  to be pulled therethrough as can be seen in  FIG. 4  of the drawings. Once pulled through, as seen in  FIG. 4 , the fastening means  36  is sealed to leave only small apertures  42  and  44  at the upper section  30  and the lower section  34  respectively, as illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. Note that the dimensions of the small apertures  42  and  44  can be varied so as to be larger or smaller, by regulating the size of the fastening means  36 . Therefore, the size of the small apertures  42  and  44  need not be on the scale shown in the drawings but can be made longer or shorter so that different requirements and preferences can be accommodated. 
   With the seat belts  70  and  72  pulled through the slots  20  and  22 , and the slots  20  and  22  sealed and closed as shown in  FIG. 5  of the drawings, a safe, easy and effective method is provided to instal a seat cover of the invention. No complex time consuming procedures are required to remove and reinstall the seat belts and, further, the unsightly gaping spaces which are present without the fastening mechanism are eliminated or significantly reduced. Thus, seat covers can be changed often and simply with worrying about safety and cleanliness issues. 
   In other embodiments of the invention, a fastening mechanism other than Velcro™ may be used. Thus, a hook and eye arrangement, zippers, buttons or tying cords are just examples of the various types of fastening mechanisms that can be used within the scope of the invention. 
   The invention also provides for a hood structure which can be easily removed and replaced. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is thus provided a hood for use with an infant/child seat, the hood typically comprising a support bar having ends connectable to the infant/child seat, and a fabric hood piece attached to the support bar, the fabric piece having a hem formed by a releasable fastening means, such as Velcro™, so that the hood piece can be easily removed and installed on the support bar for mounting on the infant/child seat. 
   One such hood arrangement can be seen in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. A hood structure  80  comprises a hood  82  designed to shield or protect the infant&#39;s face from the sun, rain, or other condition. The hood  82  has an edge  84  which is seamed to form a channel  86 . The channel  86  receives an elongate and flexible rod whose ends (not shown) extend outwardly through openings  88  and  90  and fasten to the seat or frame. The rod can be easily installed and removed making the hood structure  80  a convenient, safe and simple accessory to use. 
   The invention is not limited to the precise details described herein and variations and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. Different types of fabric can be used to construct the seat cover, the slots may vary in length according to the specific infant/child seat for which it is designed and the location of the seat belts, and the size and length of the fastening mechanism on the slot can be varied according to preselected criteria.