Abstract:
A seat integrated tether system for use in a vehicle for the secure placement of an article on a vehicle seat. One or more retractable or extendable tethers are adapted for attachment to the side of the vehicle seat. By use of the system with the front passenger seat of a vehicle the driver may have ready access to the contents of the retained article, which may be an item storage article such as an open top bag, case or storage net.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The disclosed invention relates to systems for the secure placement of an article on a vehicle seat. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to a seat integrated tether system which allows the secure placement of a variety of articles on the vehicle seat and particularly the front passenger seat for easy access by the vehicle driver. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Drivers and passengers in automotive vehicles often place articles such as bags, purses, briefcases, computer cases and purses on the forward facing seat or on the horizontal seating surface of an otherwise unoccupied vehicle seats. Very often the driver places an article on the passenger seat for access during driving. Accordingly, these articles are often placed on the unoccupied front passenger seat or other seats when the vehicle is parked and are left there when the vehicle is in motion. While parked the articles pose no difficulty but that is not necessarily the situation when the vehicle is in motion. 
   Aware that articles might shift while the vehicle is in motion some drivers and passengers attempt to overcome this concern by using the conventional belt system to secure the article to the seat. However, the conventional belt is not configured to retain such articles in the vehicle seat. Accordingly, what is required is a retention system such as a tethering system that is adaptive to new or existing stowage items that is simple, intuitive, and low cost. This tethering system should also provide additional control and organization of stowage items during vehicle use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The disclosed embodiments of the invention provide a seat integrated tether that provides a system for effectively and efficiently securing a variety of articles to a vehicle seat. The tether as used herein generally refers to any device for restraining an article on the seat of a vehicle, such as a tie-down, a belt, a strap or a leash. However, the system disclosed herein is not intended to be used as an occupant restraint system but is instead intended only to be used to restrain articles from movement on or in relation to a vehicle seat. 
   The seat integrated tether system of the invention utilizes a user-deployable and configurable tether strap, cable, or cord to attach to and maintain control of stowage or container articles. The seat integrated tether system is integrated into a new vehicle seat or into an existing vehicle seat. The system allows for attachment of the article through use of adjustable tethers and attachment rings (such as a D-ring) to existing attachment points on container articles. 
   Two tethers are provided, one on each side of the vehicle seat for retaining an article. The total length of the combined tethers may be adjusted. The tethers may be attached to the vehicle seat frame by either a retractor (manual or automatic) or by direct attachment. Both of the tethers may be attached by way of a tether retractor, both may be attached directly by a fastener such as a bolt, or one of each may be used. If directly attached the length of the tether is adjustable by an adjustable length strap. Regardless of the embodiment, the combined length of the tethers may be adjusted to adapt to a variety of container sizes, shapes and materials which may be rigid or semi-rigid. Attachment may be made though the use of spring-loaded clips or hooks. The seat integrated tether system may include separate detachable components or may be permanently attached to a seat or seat structure. 
   The system disclosed herein aids in the control and organization of stowage articles during static and dynamic usage such as driving of the vehicle. The use of the seat integrated tether system disclosed herein is an on-demand device when required and self stowing or removed when not used. The system may also use a supplemental bag, case, or cargo mesh/net bag to contain smaller items or items that do not include attachment points or d-rings. This bag utilizes the same common tethers and attachment points. The functionality of the disclosed system is also adaptive to a seat back folded down to a horizontal position. In this case, the tether straps are adjusted to wrap in a direction opposite to the rear of the seat back and attach to the stowage item or container. In addition, the tether straps disclosed herein may be used to restrain an article positioned on the back of the seat back when the seat back is in its folded position relative to the seat base. The tethers may also be positioned to the rear of the seat back for stowage when not in use with the clip ends connected. 
   Other features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the seat integrated tether system of the invention showing a fastener cover in its open position and the adjacent fastener in its retracted position; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the embodiment of the seat integrated tether system of  FIG. 1  and shows a method of attaching the fasteners to the seat frame of the seat using retractors; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the same view as  FIG. 1  but shows the cover for the fastener in its closed or concealing position in which both the clasp and the end portion of the tether to which the clasp is attached are concealed; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a tether end having a snap fastener; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a portion of a tether end having a hook-and-loop fastener; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a portion of a tether end having a hook fastener; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the same view as  FIG. 1  but shows a multi-spaced organizer tethered to the vehicle seat by the tethers joined to wrap around the article; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the same view as  FIG. 1  but shows a briefcase tethered to the vehicle seat with the tethers attached to the shoulder strap rings of the briefcase; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the same view as  FIG. 1  but shows a cargo net tethered to the vehicle seat with the tethers attached to the d-rings of the cargo net; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of the seat of  FIG. 1  and also shows a briefcase in position on the vehicle seat but shows the briefcase held in place by the tethers joined to wrap around the article; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the seat integrated tether system with the seat back folded over and the briefcase article positioned on the back of the seat back and held in place by tethers; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of a first alternate embodiment of the disclosed invention and utilizes adjustable length tethers in lieu of the tether retractors shown in  FIG. 2  and discussed in relation thereto; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of the seat of  FIG. 1  but shows an article in the form of a suitcase held in place by tethers attached to a d-ring fixed to the front of the seat base; and 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a back view of a second alternate embodiment of the disclosed invention and shows a detachable tether assembly fitted to the back of the vehicle seat. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a seat, typically for use in an automotive vehicle but capable of being used in aircraft and ships as well, is generally illustrated as  10  and is shown in perspective. The seat  10  includes a substantially horizontal seat base  12  and a substantially upright seat back  14 . The seat base is attached to the vehicle floor by a seat track assembly  16  as is known in the art. 
   The seat back  14  has a first side  18  and a second side  20 . For purposes of the present invention, the first side  18  may be one or the other of the inboard side or the outboard side of the vehicle seat  10  while the second side  20  may be the other of the outboard side or the inboard side of the vehicle seat  10 . 
   Fixedly attached to the first side  18  of the vehicle seat  10  is a first side tether and clasp assembly  22 . A second side tether and clasp assembly  24  is fixedly attached to the second side  20  of the vehicle seat  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  may be used for direct attachment to the article being retained in the seat (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ) or may be used for being attached to one another for retaining the article (as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 ). 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , within the vehicle seat  10  is a seat frame  26 . The seat frame  26  partially shown in  FIG. 2  is only used for illustrative purposes, and it is to be understood that other seat frame configurations may be used as is known to those skilled in the art. 
   The first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is either directly or indirectly fixed to the seat frame  26 . If indirectly fixed, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is attached to a first side retractor  28  which is itself attached directly to the seat frame. The second side tether and clasp assembly  24  may also be directly or indirectly fixed to the frame  26 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  is indirectly fixed to the seat frame  26  by way of a second side retractor  30 . 
   As an alternative to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2  in which the first side retractor  28  indirectly attaches the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  to the seat frame  26  and in which the second side retractor  30  attaches the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  to the seat frame  26 , it is possible that one or the other or both of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  may be directly attached to the seat frame  26  by a known fastener such as a bolt. If, for example, the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is attached to the seat frame  26  by the first side retractor  28  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  is directly attached to the seat frame  26  by a fastener, then the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  may be withdrawn from the first side retractor  28 , wrapped around the article to be retained relative to the seat, and then attached to the second side tether and clasp assembly  24 . The illustration of  FIG. 2  is intended as being instructive and suggestive rather than being limiting. 
   When not in use, the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  could be hidden from view by a cover arrangement. An example of such an arrangement is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7  in which a first side flap  31  and a second side flap  34  are provided. The free edge of each of the first side flap  31  and the second side flap  34  is releasably attachable to their respective sides of the seat back  14  by a release device such as a hook and loop fastener, as shown. Specifically, the first side flap  31  includes a loop portion  32  while a hook portion  33  is attached to the side of the seat  10  at a place below the first side tether and clasp assembly  22 . The second side flap  34  includes a loop portion  35  while a hook portion  36  is attached to the side of the seat  10  at a place below the second side tether and clasp assembly  24 . 
   It is to be understood that while a hook and loop fastener arrangement is illustrated for releasably closing the first side flap  31  and the second side flap  34 , other methods of attachment may be used, such as zippers or snaps. In addition, it is to be further understood that while closeable flaps are shown in the figures for concealing the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24 , other methods of concealment such as placing the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  within a blind pocket with a closure device such as a zipper. 
   In  FIG. 3  the first side flap  31  is shown in its closed position and the unused first side tether and clasp assembly is fully concealed therein. In  FIGS. 6 through 11  the first side flap  31  is also shown in its closed position even though the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is in use. In this way the flap may be used while the fastener arrangement of the present invention is also in use. 
   The first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  (when visible) each are illustrated as having clasps attached to their distal ends for attachment to each other or for attachment to the retained article. Alternative attachments may be used as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . 
   With respect to  FIG. 4 , a tether end  37  is illustrated having a snap fastener  38   a  and a snap fastener base  38   b . The snap fastener  38   a  is releasably attachable to the snap fastener base  38   b.    
   With respect to  FIG. 5 , a tether end  37 ′ is illustrated having a loop portion  39   a  and a hook portion  39   b . The loop portion  39   a  is releasably attachable to the hook portion  39   b.    
   With respect to  FIG. 6 , a tether end  37 ″ is illustrated as having a hook fastener  40 . The hook fastener  40  may be releasably attached to the d-ring of an article or to another hook fastener or other type of cooperative fastener. 
   A variety of item-holding articles may be retained by the integrated tether system of the present invention. Some of these articles are shown in  FIGS. 7 through 13 . 
   With reference  FIG. 7 , an article  41  in the form of a portable article for holding multiple items or a tote is illustrated as being retained in the seat  10 . An item having multiple compartments  42 ,  42 ′, and  42 ″ is illustrated. The illustrated article  41  having multiple compartments is exemplary only and it is to be understood that other items may be used in lieu of or in addition to this article. Any article that may be retained in the vehicle seat and which may be held to the vehicle seat by tethers may be substituted for the illustrated article  41 . 
   As shown, the clasp of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the clasp of the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  are connected with one another in the front of the article  41 . While the clasps of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  are shown attached toward the front of the article  41 , one or the other of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  or the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  may instead by extended around the article  41  and may be fastened to the other of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  or the second side tether and clasp assembly  24 . For example, the length of the tether of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  may be adjustable by means of either a retractor or an adjustable belt while the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  may be fixed such that the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is wrapped substantially around the article  41  to connect with the fixed second side tether and clasp assembly  24 . 
   As an alternative to the article  41  shown in  FIG. 7 , a retained article  44  in the form of a briefcase may be held in the seat  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 . As illustrated, the article  44  of  FIG. 8  is retained by the latch of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  being attached to the shoulder belt-holding ring of the article  44 . The article  44  is also retained on its other side by the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  being attached to the other of the shoulder belt-holding ring attached to the other side of the article  44 . While the illustrated article  44  is a briefcase, this figure illustrates how any article having rings may be retained in the seat  10  according to the disclosed system. 
   In  FIG. 9  a cargo net  45  is shown being retained in the seat  10  by the tether coupling method illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is attached to a d-ring  46  fitted to the side of the retaining net  45 . The second side tether and clasp assembly  24  (not shown) would be attached to a d-ring (also not shown) fitted to the far side of the cargo net  45 . 
   In  FIG. 10  a briefcase or briefcase-like article  47  is also shown being retained in the seat  10  by the tether coupling method illustrated in  FIG. 7 . As shown, the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  are extended around the article  47  and the clasps of each of these fasteners are coupled together at the front of the article  47 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 10 , an alternate method of retaining an article, illustrated as article  50  in the form of a briefcase or a briefcase-like article, is shown. With the seat back  14  substantially folded down against the seat base  12  the article  50  is secured to the back side of the seat back  14 . As illustrated, the clasp of the first side tether and clasp assembly  22  is releasably attached to a shoulder belt ring  52 . Not shown but to be understood is that the clasp of the second side tether and clasp assembly  24  is releasably attached to a similar ring positioned on the other side of the article  50 . 
   It is to be understood that while a briefcase or briefcase-like article  50  is shown secured to the back side of the seat back  14 , other articles such as the multi-compartment article  40  of  FIG. 7  may be attached to the back side of the seat back  14 . Any article having multiple rings may be so attached. In addition, an article may be retained to the back side of the seat back  14  by the extended tether method illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 10  and discussed in relation thereto. 
   The use of retractors for adjusting the lengths of the tethers of the side fasteners has been discussed above. The lengths of the tethers of the side fasteners may also be adjusted by an alternative method which is shown in  FIG. 12 . With reference to that figure, a vehicle seat, generally illustrated as  10 ′, is illustrated. The seat  10 ′ includes a substantially horizontal seat base  12 ′ and a substantially upright seat back  14 ′. The seat base is attached to the vehicle floor by a seat track assembly  16 ′ as is known in the art. 
   The seat back  14 ′ has a first side  18 ′ and a second side  20 ′. Fixedly attached to the first side  18 ′ of the vehicle seat  10 ′ is a first side tether and clasp assembly  62 . A second side tether and clasp assembly  64  is fixedly attached to the second side  20 ′ of the vehicle seat  10 ′. The first side tether and clasp assembly  62  includes an adjustment buckle  66  and an adjustable loop portion  68 . The second side tether and clasp assembly  64  also includes an adjustment buckle  70  and an adjustable loop portion  68 . To adjust the length of the tether portion of the first side tether and clasp assembly  62  the adjustment buckle  66  is moved toward or away from the seat  10 ′ thereby respectively increasing or decreasing the size of the adjustable loop  68 , and thereby respectively shortening or elongating the overall length of the first side tether and clasp assembly  62 . In the same way to adjust the length of the tether portion of the first side tether and clasp assembly  64  the adjustment buckle  70  is moved toward or away from the seat  10 ′ thereby respectively increasing or decreasing the size of the adjustable loop  72 , and thereby respectively shortening or elongating the overall length of the second side tether and clasp assembly  64 . 
   While two adjustable side fasteners are shown in  FIG. 12 , it is not mandatory that this be the case. As discussed above, length adjustability is only required in one or the other of the side fasteners. 
   A further variation of a seat integrated tether system according to the disclosed invention is shown in  FIG. 13 . With reference thereto, a seat, generally illustrated as  10 ″, is presented. The seat  10 ″ includes a substantially horizontal seat base  12 ″ and a substantially upright seat back  14 ″. The seat base  12 ″ is attached to the vehicle floor by a seat track assembly  16 ″. The seat back  14 ″ has a first side  18 ″ and a second side  20 ″. 
   The integrated tether system of the seat  10 ″ of  FIG. 13  includes a first side tether and clasp assembly  22 ′ and a second side tether and clasp assembly  24 ′. A d-ring  74  attached to the front of the seat base  12 ″ The first side tether and clasp assembly  22 ′ and the second side tether and clasp assembly  24 ′ are attached to the d-ring  74 , thereby retaining an article  76  (in the form of the illustrated suitcase, for example) in the seat  10 ″. 
   The configurations discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1 through 13  illustrate a tether system for retaining one or more articles in a vehicle seat that is integral with that seat. While the integrated system is appropriate for new vehicles, it is also possible to retrofit existing seats with the tether system of the present invention whereby many of the same advantages associated with the integrated system can be achieved. 
   Specifically, and with respect to  FIG. 14 , a vehicle seat, generally illustrated as  10 ′″, is shown. The seat  10 ′″ includes a substantially horizontal seat base  12 ′″ and a substantially upright seat back  14 ′″. The seat base  12 ′″ is attached to the vehicle floor by a seat track assembly  16 ′″. The seat back  14 ′″ has a first side  18 ′″ and a second side  20 ′″. 
   An accessory tether system  80  is attached to the back of the seat back  14 ′″. Attachment of the tether system  80  may be made by permanent fixing to the vehicle seat  10 ′″ using conventional fasteners or may be attached by any of a variety of known adhesives. Other attachment methods, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, may be used. The accessory tether system  80  includes a first side tether and clasp assembly  82  and a second side tether and clasp assembly  84 . As discussed above with respect to other variations of the tether system of the present invention, one or both of the first side tether and clasp assembly  82  or the second side tether and clasp assembly  84  may be fixedly attached to the accessory tether system  80  while the other (or both) of the fasteners may be adjustable by use of a retractor or by an adjustable tether such as that shown in  FIG. 12  and described in conjunction therewith. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.