Abstract:
A vehicle seat cover generally conforming to the shape of a vehicle seat cushion and configured to be easily attachable thereto. In preferred embodiments the seat cover comprises chenille microfiber and is configured to function as a storage container and/or a vehicle cleaning device when not in use as a seat cover.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/543,489 (filed Oct. 5, 2011), which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally directed to seat covers for seats in boats and other vehicles. Certain aspects of the invention are directed in particular to fitted seat covers with a seating layer comprising a soft material such as chenille microfiber. 
         [0003]    Seats for boats and other vehicles, particularly open-air vehicles in which the seats are designed to be exposed to the elements, often include seating surfaces constructed from a smooth plastic such as vinyl. Smooth plastic seating surfaces provide good durability and weather resistance. However, because the seats are often exposed to direct sunlight, the seating surfaces have a tendency to become very hot. Hot plastic seating surfaces may be uncomfortable or dangerous for passengers. This can be a particular problem for recreational boat seats since shade is often unavailable and passengers frequently wear swimwear which leaves large areas of skin exposed. Temporary solutions, such as laying a towel over the seating surface, are not optimal because the towel can easily shift out of position. Additionally, the material comprising towels and other prior art solutions is often not thick enough to provide optimal comfort to passengers 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Problems with prior art seats and seat covers are solved by providing a seat cover which is generally fitted to a particular vehicle seat. The seat cover preferably comprises an attaching aid, such as elastic or a drawstring, which secures the seat cover to the seat. The seat cover also comprises a material that will be comfortable for seating, even in warm weather and direct sunlight, but which will dry quickly if dampened. In a preferred embodiment, the seating surface comprises a material which is also useful for cleaning the vehicle, such as chenille microfiber. In one embodiment, the seat cover is configured to be usable as a bag when not attached to a seat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The disclosed inventions will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a seat cover. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the seat cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a seat cover. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the seat cover of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seat cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the seat cover of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a cross-section view of a seat cover and seat cushion. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a seat cover being used as a bag. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a view of seat covers in a boat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments (by way of example, and not of limitation). The present application describes several inventions, and none of the statements below should be taken as limiting the claims generally. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate top and bottom views of a seat cover  10  embodying features of the present invention. Seat cover  10  comprises seat panel  102 , which preferably comprises a sheet of flexible material cut in the general shape of the seat cushion that seat cover  10  is intended to cover. Seat panel  102  preferably comprises a material that is strong, yet flexible, and with structural properties will not change when exposed to moisture. Seat panel  102  may comprise vinyl, canvas, burlap, polyester, nylon, or the like. 
         [0017]    Seat cover  10  preferably further comprises a seat comfort material  104  attached to seat panel  102 . Seat comfort material  104  is preferably a material that will provide a layer of insulation and padding between a user (not shown) and a seat cushion  108 . Preferably, seat comfort material  104  is (1) water absorbent; (2) able to dry quickly; (3) mildew resistant; (4) soft; (5) washable; and (6) useful for cleaning a vehicle. 
         [0018]    Most preferably, seat comfort material  104  comprises chenille microfiber. Chenille microfiber is often sold as a fabric comprising a plurality of short tufts (typically 1 to 4 cm long) sewn or glued to a backing, in which case seat panel  102  would comprise the backing and seat comfort material  104  would comprise the tufts. The tufts are generally made from polyester and/or polyamide. Each tuft is covered by very fine fibers. Chenille microfiber is advantageous because it provides significant cushioning to the user and does not typically become uncomfortably hot to sit on. Further, Chenille microfiber is particularly useful for allowing the seat cover  10  to be used for washing a vehicle. That is, when seat cover  10  is not attached to a vehicle seat, seat cover  10  may be used to wipe or scrub a vehicle surface during washing. The microfibers are effective at removing dirt from surfaces being washed, yet the chenille microfiber itself may be cleaned by washing, e.g., in a washing machine. Chenille microfiber can also be used to dry persons or objects. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, seat comfort material  104  can comprise terrycloth, foam, batting, wool, or the like. 
         [0020]    Seat cover  10  is preferably attached to seat cushion  108  by skirt  112 . Skirt  112  is attached to an outer perimeter of seat panel  102  and extends downwardly from seat panel  102 . Skirt  112  preferably comprises the same material as seating panel  102 . Alternatively, skirt  112  may comprise other materials, such as a mesh. Additionally, rather than being attached to seat cover  10 , skirt  112  and may be formed as a single integral part with seat panel  102 —that is, seat panel  102  and skirt  112  may comprise a single piece of material. Further alternatively, skirt  112  can comprise an elastic material, in which case channel  114  and engagement actuator  116  may be unnecessary. 
         [0021]    A bottom edge of skirt  112  preferably comprises a channel  114  configured to hold an engagement actuator  116 . Channel  114  is preferably formed by folding a portion of skirt  112 . Engagement actuator  116  is used to tighten skirt  112  to seat cushion  108 . Preferably, engagement actuator  116  comprises a drawstring. Engagement actuator  116  can be held in a tightened position by a clasp  118  or similar device. Alternatively engagement actuator  116 , can comprise an elastic band, clip, strap, hook and loop fastener, or the like. 
         [0022]    Seat cover  10  can also be made reversible. In a reversible embodiment, seat comfort material  104  is applied to both sides (inside and outside) of seat panel  102 . Different textures or colors can be used for seat comfort material  104  on each side of seat panel  102  and a user can select which side will show when placing seat cover  10  on a seat. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment in which seat cover  10 ′ is attached to cushion  108  using connecting strips  302 , which are attached at one end to seating panel  102  and at an opposite end to elastic band  304  (alternatively, a drawstring). Connecting strips preferably comprise the same material as seat panel  102 . Alternatively to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , seat cover  10  may be attached to cushion  108  using a combination of features similar to skirt  112  and/or connecting strips  302 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an additional alternative embodiment for a seat cover. Seat cover  10 ″ is similar in construction to seat cover  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but is secured to cushion  108  by elastic  602  attached to skirt  112 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7A  shows a cross-section view of seat cover  10  and seat cushion  108 .  FIG. 7A  better illustrates the configuration of seat comfort material  104 . Seat comfort material  104  is shown covering the outer surfaces of seat panel  102  and skirt  112 . This arrangement provides good user comfort and visual aesthetics.  FIG. 7B  illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein seat cover  10  is reversible and seat comfort material  104  also preferably covers inside surfaces of seat panel  102  and skirt  112 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , seat cover  10 , can be configured so that it forms a bag, when inverted and disconnected from cushion  108 . In this arrangement, seat cover  10  can hold contents placed within it. Skirt  112  is preferably configured so that drawstring  116  may be used to substantially close seat cover  10  as a bag. 
         [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates seat covers  10  installed in a boat  902 . Boat  902  is shown as a recreational motor boat, however, aspects of the described inventions could be used with many other types of vehicles. Although  FIG. 9  only illustrates seat covers on seat bottoms, seat covers can likewise cover seat backs and other surfaces. 
         [0028]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.