Patent Publication Number: US-2011049950-A1

Title: Cover

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application 2009904076, filed Aug. 26, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to covers for safety harnesses and/or covers for seats with safety harnesses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Five point safety harnesses are a particularly safe and secure way of restraining a person within a seat in a moving vehicle. For example, five point safety harnesses are commonly used by race car drivers, being attached to a support frame behind the race car seat, and for young children, being attached to a child safety seat which can be mounted on the seat of a car. Other items such as prams, strollers, high chairs and wheelchairs may also use a five point harness. 
     As is well known children, can be very messy at times, meaning that food, drink and saliva can be dribbled and spilt on to the seat and harness belts. Moreover young children may chew on the straps of the harness. Thus the seat or harness can be easily soiled, damaged or stained. 
     Many harnesses are difficult or not possible to remove and clean. Young children have a propensity of chewing and sucking on objects in their vicinity. The risk of disease is therefore increased if a child sucks or chews on a soiled harness. Soiled harnesses have another potential negative effect in that it may make it less likely for the parent or guardian to use the soiled harness with their child, as they wish to minimise the risk of the child coming into contact with the harness. Either way, there is increased risk to the child&#39;s health, safety and well-being. 
     Further disadvantages associated with the use of child safety seats may include children scratching themselves on the harness, or unclipping the harness. 
     Thus it may be advantageous to provide a product that limits, reduces, overcomes, or substantially ameliorates one or more of the aforesaid problems or disadvantages. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect the invention provides a cover for a seat and a safety harness, the safety harness including a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of lap belts, and an anti-submarine belt, the seat cover comprising, 
     a first pair of shoulder apertures for receiving respective shoulder belts therethrough, 
     a pair of lap apertures for receiving respective lap belts therethrough, and 
     an anti-submarine aperture for receiving the anti-submarine belt therethrough. 
     The seat may make up part of a high chair, car seat, child safety seat, wheelchair, or rehabilitation chair, or any other device utilising a harness. 
     The seat cover may be removable and the lap and anti-submarine apertures include closing means for substantially preventing the ingress of spillage and/or bodily fluids into the aperture around a respective lap and/or submarine belt. 
     The seat cover may comprise closing means for substantially preventing the ingress of spillage and/or bodily fluids into the said apertures around a respective shoulder belt. 
     The belts of the safety harness may be attached to the seat or to a frame to which the seat is affixed. 
     In an alternative embodiment the closing means is further adapted to close off the shoulder apertures around their respective belts. 
     The seat cover may comprise more than one pair of shoulder apertures. For instance, there may be a second pair of shoulder apertures located above or below the said first pair of shoulder apertures, thereby allowing the seat cover to be suitably fitted on various seats, each of which may have a pair of shoulder belts beginning at a different height or level, and/or making the cover more adaptable and adjustable to suit the needs of a growing child. 
     Preferably the closing means comprises an elastic band adapted to recoil and substantially close off its respective aperture. 
     Preferably the closing means is incorporated into a sleeve that projects out from the cover away from the seat in use, and the elastic band may line the sleeve. 
     Preferably the seat cover includes three sleeves projecting out from the cover away from the seat in use that accommodate the anti-submarine and lap apertures. 
     Preferably the seat cover comprises additional sleeves projecting out of the cover away from the seat that accommodate the shoulder apertures. 
     Preferably the sleeve comprises a tubular shape. 
     Preferably the sleeve includes fastening means for joining ends or edges of the sleeve to form the tubular shape. 
     Preferably when the said fastening means are unfastened, this enables the separation of the ends, or edges, of the sleeve which are joined by the sleeve fastener. 
     Preferably the fastening means comprises a hook and loop type fastener like Velcro™ and/or press studs. 
     Preferably the seat cover comprises a split extending from a peripheral edge to one of the shoulder, anti-submarine, or lap apertures or sleeves, and the split includes fastening means for releasably closing the split. 
     Preferably the split fastening means comprises a hook and loop type fastener like Velcro™, and/or press studs. 
     Preferably the split fastening means is present along the edges of the split, and unfastening the fastening means enables the separation of the split edges and opening of the split. 
     Preferably the split communicates with, or is continuous with, one of the shoulder, anti-submarine or lap apertures, and when the split fastening means is unfastened it communicates with, or is continuous with, one of the shoulder, anti-submarine or lap apertures when their respective sleeve is unfastened. 
     Preferably there is a plurality of splits including 
     a pair of shoulder splits extending from opposite side peripheral edges of the cover to respective shoulder apertures or shoulder sleeves, and/or 
     a pair of lap splits extending from opposite side peripheral edges of the cover to respective lap apertures or lap sleeves, and/or 
     an anti-submarine split, extending from a bottom peripheral edge of the cover, to the anti-submarine aperture or sleeve. 
     Preferably the seat cover includes a notch adapted to accommodate a pillar of the seat, the pillar being for positioning between the legs of an occupant of the seat, wherein the notch is set in from a bottom edge of the seat cover and is adapted to pass around a rear aspect of the base of the said pillar. 
     Preferably the seat cover is water proof. 
     Preferably the seat cover comprises padding. 
     Preferably the seat cover is machine washable and reusable. 
     Alternatively the seat cover is disposable. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a cover for a seat and a safety harness, the safety harness comprising a pair of shoulder belts, and a Y-shaped anti-submarine belt, the seat cover comprising, 
     a pair of shoulder apertures for receiving respective shoulder belts therethrough, 
     an anti-submarine aperture for receiving the said Y-shaped anti-submarine belt therethrough, and 
     closing means for closing off the said Y-shaped anti-submarine aperture around the said Y-shaped anti-submarine belt. 
     The upper arms of the Y-shaped anti-submarine belt are attachable to respective shoulder belts, or are attachable to, or continuous with, a shield which is attachable to the shoulder belts. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a cover for a seat and a safety harness, the safety harness including a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of lap belts, and at least one anti-submarine belt, and a junction region where the shoulder and/or lap belts connect with anti-submarine belt when the harness is fastened, the safety harness cover comprising, 
     a pair of shoulder members for enclosing respective shoulder belts along the majority of their length, 
     a pair of lap members for enclosing respective lap belts along the majority of their length, 
     an anti-submarine member for enclosing the anti-submarine belt along the majority of its length, and 
     a junction member for enclosing the junction region. 
     Preferably each shoulder member comprises, or is adapted to form, a shoulder sleeve, and the shoulder sleeve is adapted to receive the shoulder belt therethrough. 
     Preferably the shoulder sleeve comprises a tubular shape, and the said shoulder sleeve comprises a shoulder fastening means for joining ends or edges of the sleeve to form a tubular shape. Unfastening the shoulder sleeve fastener enables separation of the ends or edges of the sleeve that are joined by the shoulder sleeve fastener. 
     Preferably the said shoulder sleeve fastener comprises a hook and loop type fastener like Velcro™ and/or press studs. 
     Preferably each shoulder member comprises a central strip bordered on each side by a pair of foldable strips, and the said foldable strips are adapted to fold along their borders in front of, or behind, the central strip, and overlap each other, in which position they are releasably fastenable together to create a flat tubular shoulder sleeve. 
     Preferably the shoulder member may be adapted to enclose a sleeve of the said seat cover when installed in which the said shoulder member forms part of the closing means of the seat cover, being adapted to close off access to one of the shoulder apertures. 
     Preferably each lap member comprises, or is adapted to form, a lap sleeve, and the lap sleeve is adapted to receive the lap belt therethrough. 
     Preferably the lap sleeve comprises a tubular shape. 
     Preferably the lap sleeve includes fastening means for joining ends or edges of the sleeve to form the tubular shape. 
     Preferably unfastening the lap sleeve fastening means enables the separation of the ends, or edges, of the sleeve which are joined by the said lap sleeve fastener. 
     Preferably the said sleeve fastener comprises a hook and loop type fastener like Velcro™ and/or press studs. 
     Preferably each lap member comprises a central strip bordered on each side by a pair of foldable strips, and the foldable strips are adapted to fold along their borders in front of, or behind, the central strip and overlap each other, in which position they may be fastened together to create a flat tubular lap sleeve. 
     Preferably the lap member is adapted to enclose a sleeve of the seat cover when installed, such that the said lap member forms a part of the closing means of the seat cover, being adapted to substantially close off access to one of the said lap apertures. 
     Preferably each shoulder belt is connected to a respective lap belt. 
     Preferably each shoulder member is joined to, or is continuous with, a respective lap member, thereby forming an elongate member, such that the said elongate member comprises the said shoulder member and the said lap member, and the said elongate member is adapted to form an elongate sleeve. 
     Preferably the said elongate sleeve may be adapted to receive one of the shoulder belts and one of the lap belts therein. 
     Preferably the elongate sleeve comprises a tubular shape. 
     Preferably the elongate sleeve has fastening means for joining ends or edges of the elongate sleeve to form a tubular shape, and the unfastening of the said elongate sleeve fastener enables the separation of the ends or edges of the sleeve which are joined by the elongate sleeve fastener. 
     Preferably the elongate sleeve fastening means are a hook and loop type fastener like Velcro™, and or comprises press studs. 
     Preferably each elongate member comprises a central strip bordered on each side by a pair of foldable strips, and the foldable strips are adapted to fold along their borders in front of or behind the central strip and overlap each other, in which position they are releasably fastenable together to create a flat tubular elongate sleeve. 
     Preferably the elongate member comprises an opening between the shoulder member and the said lap member, and the opening is adapted to receive the ends of the shoulder and lap belts, or part of a buckle to which those ends are fastened, therethrough the said opening. 
     Preferably the elongate member comprises a pair of buckle fasteners at the level of the opening which interengage with the harness buckle to retain it in place with respect to the cover, and prevent it from sliding into the said tube, or behind the cover. 
     Preferably the buckle fasteners include a hook and loop fastener like Velcro™ and/or press studs. 
     Preferably the anti-submarine member comprises, or is adapted to form, an anti-submarine sleeve, and the said anti-submarine sleeve is adapted to receive the anti-submarine belt therethrough. 
     Preferably the anti-submarine sleeve comprises a tubular shape. 
     Preferably the anti-submarine sleeve comprises an anti-submarine sleeve fastener for joining ends, or edges, of the sleeve to form a tubular shape. Unfastening the said anti-submarine sleeve fastener enables the separation of the ends, or edges, of the sleeve that are joined by the anti-submarine sleeve fastener. 
     Preferably the anti-submarine sleeve fastener may be a hook and loop type fastener like Velcro™, and/or comprises press studs. 
     Preferably each anti-submarine member comprises a central strip bordered on each side by a pair of foldable strips, and the foldable strips may be adapted to fold along their borders in front of, or behind, the central strip, and overlap each other, in which position they are releasably fastenable together to create a flat tubular anti-submarine sleeve. 
     Preferably the anti-submarine member is adapted to enclose a sleeve of the seat cover when installed, and therefore the said anti-submarine member forms a part of the closing means of the seat cover, being adapted to substantially close off access to the anti-submarine aperture. 
     Preferably the junction member comprises a wrap strip adapted to wrap at least partially around the junction region, and the said wrap strip is adapted to wrap at least partially around the junction region when the harness is fastened, thereby the said wrap strip wraps around the bottom ends of respective said shoulder belts, with the remaining portions of the shoulder belts projecting out above the wrapped wrap strip. The wrap strip also wraps around the top ends of respective lap belts, with the remaining portions of the lap belts projecting out below the wrapped wrap strip. 
     The harness cover as claimed in claim  50  wherein the said wrap strip comprises a strip fastener, and the strip fastener is present at one or both ends of the said strip, and the strip fastener is adapted to hold the said wrap strip wrapped, at least partially around the junction region. 
     The harness cover as claimed in claim  51  wherein the said anti-submarine member is attachable to, or continuous with, the wrap strip, and the said central strip of the said anti-submarine member is attachable at its top end, to the bottom lengthwise border of the said wrap strip. 
     Preferably the junction member comprises an overlap segment, and the overlap segment is attachable to, or continuous with, the wrap strip, and an edge of the overlap segment is attachable to the top lengthwise border of the wrap strip, and the overlap segment is adapted to wrap over in front of, or behind, the junction region. 
     Preferably the overlap segment comprises a segment fastener, and the segment fastener is present at one or both ends of the said overlap segment, and the said segment fastener is adapted to fasten the said overlap segment to one or both ends of the said wrap strip when the wrap strip is wrapped at least partially around the said junction region. 
     Preferably the overlap segment is adapted for fastening to opposite ends of the said wrap strip. 
     Preferably the harness cover is removable. 
     Preferably the harness cover, or parts thereof, are water proof. 
     Preferably the harness cover, or parts thereof, comprise shock absorbing material and/or padding. 
     Preferably the harness cover or parts thereof, are washable and reusable. 
     Alternatively the harness cover, or parts thereof, are disposable. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a cover for a seat and a safety harness, the safety harness including a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of lap belts, and at least one anti-submarine belt, and a junction region where the shoulder belts connect with anti-submarine belt when the harness is fastened, the safety harness cover comprising, 
     a pair of shoulder members for enclosing respective shoulder belts along the majority of their length, 
     an anti-submarine member for enclosing the anti-submarine belt along the majority of its length, and 
     a junction member for enclosing the junction region, 
     such that when used in conjunction, the said harness cover and the seat cover may substantially cover the seat and enclose the safety harness, thereby substantially preventing the ingress of spillage, debris and/or bodily fluids on to the seat and safety harness. 
     In another aspect the invention provides a cover product for a seat with a safety harness, the safety harness comprising a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of lap belts, and an anti-submarine belt, the cover product comprising at least one of the safety harness cover and the seat cover in any of the forms described herein. 
     In an alternative aspect the invention provides a cover product for a seat with a safety harness, the safety harness comprising a pair of shoulder belts, and an anti-submarine belt, the cover comprising at least one of the safety harness cover and the seat cover in any of the forms described herein. 
     In another aspect the invention provides a kit of parts for a cover product for a seat with a safety harness, the safety harness comprising a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of lap belts, and an anti-submarine belt, the kit comprising at least one of the safety harness cover and the seat cover in any of the forms described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       By way of example only, embodiments of the invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an axonometric view of a cover product in accordance with the invention shown installed on a safety seat which is restraining a child; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a seat cover of the cover product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the seat cover of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an elongate member of the cover product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the elongate member of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a middle piece of the cover product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the middle piece of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an axonometric view illustrating the seat cover of  FIG. 2  being installed on the safety seat; 
         FIG. 9  is an axonometric view showing the seat cover of  FIG. 2  installed on the safety seat; 
         FIG. 10  is an axonometric view illustrating installation of a harness cover of the safety cover product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates how the elongate member of  FIG. 4  can be shortened during installation; 
         FIG. 12  is an axonometric view showing the harness cover installed on the safety seat; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view schematic which illustrates how the middle piece of  FIG. 6  can be folded and fastened during installation; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear view of an alternative seat cover in accordance with the invention, with the inset showing a sleeve projecting from the front surface of the alternative seat cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The various elements identified by integers in the drawings are listed in the following integer list. 
     INTEGER LIST 
     
         
         
           
               2  Cover product 
               4  Child safety seat 
               6  Child 
               8  Seat cover 
               10  Harness cover 
               12  Seat 
               14  Five point safety harness 
               16  Shoulder belts 
               18  Length adjusting element 
               20  Lap belt 
               22  Anti-submarine belt 
               24  Junction clasp 
               26  Adjustment buckle 
               28  Loop 
               30  Head 
               32  Length adjusting portion 
               34  Shoulder aperture 
               36  Lap aperture 
               38  Anti-submarine aperture 
               40  Lap sleeve (of seat cover  8 ) 
               42  Anti-submarine sleeve (of seat cover  8 ) 
               44  Main sheet 
               46  Elastic band 
               48  Hooked material 
               50  Looped material 
               52  Shoulder split 
               54  Hooked material 
               56  Looped material 
               58  Lap split 
               60  Hooked material 
               62  Looped material 
               64  Pouch 
               66  Elasticised Strip 
               68  Elongate sleeve (of harness cover  10 ) 
               70  Shoulder portion 
               72  Lap portion 
               74  Opening 
               76  Central strip 
               78  Foldable strip 
               80  Foldable strip 
               82  Hooked material 
               84  Looped material 
               88  Middle piece 
               90  Anti-submarine sleeve (of harness cover  10 ) 
               92  Wrap strip 
               94  Overlap segment 
               96  Central strip 
               98  Foldable strip 
               100  Foldable strip 
               102  Hooked material 
               104  Looped material 
               106  Hooked material 
               108  Hooked material 
               110  Looped material 
               112  Looped material 
               114  Notch 
               116  Pillar 
               118  Arrow 
               120  Arrow 
               122  Arrow 
               124  Arrow 
               126  Arrow 
               128  Seat cover 
               130  Main sheet 
               132  Pouch 
               134  Anti-submarine aperture 
               136  Lap aperture 
               138  Notch 
               140  Lap sleeve (of seat cover  128 ) 
               142  Elastic band 
               144  Lower shoulder aperture 
               146  Upper shoulder aperture 
               148  Arrow 
               150  Buckle fastener hook part 
               152  Buckle fastener hoop part 
           
         
       
    
     Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a cover product  2  installed on a child safety seat  4  in which a child  6  is restrained. A cloth version of the cover product  2  is shown in the drawings, which product may be removed, machine washed, and then re-used. The cloth version may be considered suitable because of its hypo-allergenic and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, it is envisaged that other materials may also be suitable in the manufacture of the cover product  2 . For instance, a plastic version such as Rexine or plastic backed cotton may be suitable because of its ability to be wiped clean. The plastic version may be preferred in a health-care setting for example. 
     The cover product  2  comprises a seat cover  8  and a harness cover  10 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the child safety seat  4  comprises a seat  12  and a five-point safety harness  14  which is fastened to the seat  12 . A pillar  116  projects up from the seat. The five point safety harness  14  comprises a pair of shoulder belts  16  with length adjusting elements  18 , a pair of lap belts  20  with adjustment buckles  26  at their outer ends, and an anti-submarine belt  22  with a junction clasp  24  at its outer end. The adjustment buckles  26  each have a loop  28  for receiving one of the shoulder belts, a head  30  for insertion into the junction clasp  24 , and a length adjusting portion  32  for adjusting the lap belt  20 . 
     The harness  14  is fastened by threading the outer ends of the shoulder belts through respective loops  28  of the adjustment buckles  26 , thereby connecting the shoulder belts with respective lap belts. The heads  30  of the adjustment buckles  26  are then inserted into the junction clasp, thereby connecting the lap and shoulder belts with the anti-submarine belt. Once fastened, the harness  14  is tightened by adjusting the length of the shoulder belts  16  through length adjusting elements  18  and adjusting the length of the lap belts  20  through length adjusting portions  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the seat cover  8  comprises a main sheet  44  which comprises pair of shoulder apertures  34 , a pair of lap apertures  36 , and an anti-submarine aperture  38 . 
     The lap apertures  36  open into and through a pair of lap sleeves  40  which are attached along, and project forwardly from, the portions of the main sheet  44  which border the openings into the lap apertures  38 . Similarly, the anti-submarine aperture  38  opens into and through an anti-submarine sleeve  42  which is attached along, and projects forwardly from, the portion of the main sheet  44  which borders the opening into the anti-submarine aperture  38 . 
     The outer end of each of the lap and anti-submarine sleeves,  40  and  42  respectively, is lined by an elastic band  46 . The elastic bands are themselves formed of an approximately one centimetre wide elasticised strip in the embodiment shown with one side edge of the strip attached along the outer end of the sleeve and the other side edge projecting inwardly therefrom. It is envisaged in alternative embodiments of the invention that the elastic bands may be wider or narrower. 
     It is envisaged that the elastic band  46  may be omitted in another version of the seat cover which is intended to be used in conjunction with the harness cover  10 . In this other version, food access to the apertures which open into and through the sleeves of the seat cover may be blocked by the harness cover  10  which, when fitted, acts to enclose the sleeves of the seat cover, thereby blocking off access thereto (as is described later). 
     Each of the sleeves,  40  and  42 , has a Velcro sleeve fastener having a strip of hooked material  48  attached along one edge of the sleeve  40  and a strip of looped material  50  attached along another edge. 
     The main sheet  44  further comprises a pair of shoulder splits  52  extending from opposite side edges of the main sheet  44  to respective shoulder apertures  34 . Each of the shoulder splits  52  has a Velcro shoulder split fastener having a strip of hooked material  54  attached along the upper surface of the shoulder split  52  facing rearward and a strip of looped material  56  attached along the lower surface of the shoulder split facing forward. 
     The main sheet  44  also comprises a pair of lap splits  58  extending from opposite side edges of the main sheet  44  to respective lap apertures  36 . Each of the lap splits  58  has a Velcro lap split fastener having a strip of hooked material  60  attached along the upper surface of the lap split  58  facing rearward and a strip of looped material  62  attached along the lower surface of the lap split facing forward. 
     The top region of the main sheet  44  arches rearward to form a shallow pouch  64 . An elasticised strip  66  is sewn into the bottom free edge of the pouch  64 . 
     A notch  114  extends in from a bottom edge of the main sheet  44  towards the anti-submarine aperture  38 . 
     The harness cover  10  comprises a pair of elongate sleeves  68 . One of the elongate sleeves  68  is shown unfolded in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to form a flat sheet. The top half of the elongate sleeve is divided into a shoulder portion  70  for covering the shoulder belt  16  and the bottom half of the sleeve is divided into a lap portion  72  for covering the lap belt  20 . An opening  74  for passage of the adjustment buckle  26  is present between the shoulder and lap portions,  70  and  72  respectively. Optionally a hook and loop buckle fastener  150  and  152  is included. These are looped through the buckle and fastened together. They then combine to retain the buckle in position, and prevent it from slipping into the tube and/or under the cover. 
     The sheet of the elongate sleeve  68  is divided into a lengthwise central strip  76  bordered on each side by foldable strips  78  &amp;  80 . The elongate sleeve comprises a Velcro fastener having a strip of hooked material  82  in each of the shoulder and lap portions,  70  and  72  respectively, on the rear surface along the edge of foldable strip  78 . The Velcro fastener also has a strip of looped material  84  in each of the shoulder and lap portions,  70  and  72  respectively, on the front surface of foldable strip  80 . 
     The elongate sleeve  68  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  has been described with reference to a right sided elongate sleeve which is adapted for covering the shoulder and lap belts,  16  and  20  respectively, which are arranged on the right side when facing the chair. However, as the left sided elongate sleeve is a mirror image of the right sided elongate sleeve, the right sided elongate sleeve shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  could simply be turned upside-down to form a left sided elongate sleeve, with the reference numerals in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to be remarked accordingly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the harness cover further comprises a middle piece  88 . The middle piece is made up of an anti-submarine sleeve  90 , a wrap strip  92 , and an overlap segment  94 . 
     The anti-submarine sleeve  90  is shown unfolded in  FIGS. 6 and 7  to form a flat sheet. The sheet of the anti-submarine sleeve  90  is divided into a lengthwise central strip  96  bordered on each side by foldable strips  98  &amp;  100 . The anti-submarine sleeve comprises a Velcro fastener having a strip of hooked material  102  on the rear surface of foldable strip  100 . The Velcro fastener also has a strip of looped material  104  on the front surface of foldable strip  98 . 
     The wrap strip  92  is shown unfolded in  FIGS. 6 and 7  to form a flat elongate rectangular strip. The bottom edge lengthwise edge of the wrap strip is stitched to the top edge of the central strip  96  of the anti-submarine sleeve  90 . The wrap strip  92  comprises a Velcro fastener having a strip of hooked material  106  on the rear surface along its right edge and another strip of hooked material  108  on the rear surface along its left edge. 
     The overlap segment  94  is rectangular in shape with the central part of its bottom lengthwise edge being stitched centrally to the top lengthwise edge of the wrap strip  92 . The overlap segment  94  comprises a Velcro fastener having a strip of looped material  110  on the rear surface near its right edge and another strip of looped material  112  on the rear surface near its left edge. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the seat cover  8  may be fitted on to the seat  12  in the following manner: 
     Unclip and withdraw the heads  30  of the adjustment buckles  26  from the junction clasp  24 , thereby disconnecting the joined lap and shoulder belts,  20  &amp;  16  respectively, from the anti-submarine belt  22 . 
     Unfasten all Velcro fasteners of the seat cover  8 . 
     Hang the shallow pouch  64  of the seat cover  8  over the top of the seat  12 . 
     Thread the anti-submarine belt  2  up through the anti-submarine sleeve  42  so that the junction clasp  24  projects therefrom. 
     Flatten the main sheet  44  back against the seat  12 , with pillar  116  projecting up through notch  114 . 
     Close the anti-submarine sleeve  42  around the anti-submarine belt  2 , fastening together hooked and looped portions of the anti-submarine sleeve Velcro fastener,  48  and  50  respectively. The fastening of the anti-submarine sleeve  42 , and recoil of the elastic band  46 , around the anti-submarine belt  2  substantially closes off the anti-submarine aperture  38  around the anti-submarine belt  2 , thereby limiting passage of spilled food and drink through the anti-submarine aperture  38  to the seat  12  beneath. 
     Grab the left outside edge of the flap of material located between the left shoulder split  52  and the left lap split  58  and fold it forward across towards the other side of the seat cover  8  in order to gain access to the joined left lap and shoulder belts,  20  &amp;  16  respectively. 
     Reach through the gap formed by folding of the flap and pull the joined left lap and shoulder belts forward through the gap. 
     Whilst holding the joined left lap and shoulder belts forward, fold the flap of material back behind the belt and to its original position so that the left shoulder belt  16  projects forward through the left shoulder aperture  34 , the left lap belt  20  projects forward through the left lap aperture  36 , and the left shoulder and lap belts are joined in front of the flap of material. 
     Close the left shoulder split  52  by fastening together hooked and looped portions,  54  and  56  respectively, of the shoulder split Velcro fastener (see arrows  148  in  FIG. 8  indicating closure of shoulder splits  52 ). 
     Close the left lap sleeve  40  around the left lap belts  20 , fastening together hooked and looped portions of the left lap sleeve Velcro fastener,  48  and  50  respectively. The fastening of the left lap sleeve  40 , and recoil of the left elastic band  46 , around the left lap belt  20  substantially closes off the left lap aperture  36  around the left lap belt, thereby limiting passage of spilled food and drink through the left lap aperture  36  to the seat  12  beneath. 
     Close the left lap split  58  by fastening together hooked and looped portions of the left lap split Velcro fastener,  60  and  62  respectively. 
     Repeat steps  7  to  12  above for the right side. 
     With the seat cover  8  fitted the child  6  may be sat and fastened in to the safety seat. Otherwise, if the seat cover  8  is to be used in conjunction with the harness cover  10 , the harness cover  10  may now be fitted to the five point safety harness  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 to 13 , the harness cover  10  may be fitted to the five point safety harness  14  in the following manner: 
     Place the rear surface of the central strip  76  of the left elongate sleeve  68  in front of the joined left shoulder and lap belts,  16  and  20  respectively, and the left lap sleeve  40  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted). 
     Thread the left adjustment buckle  26  forward through opening  74  so that the central strip  76  of the shoulder portion  70  of the left elongate sleeve  68  is arranged in front of the left shoulder belt  16  and the lap portion  72  is arranged in front of the left lap belt  20  and the left lap sleeve  40  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted). 
     Adjust the length of the left elongate sleeve  68  if and as required so that the shoulder portion  70  is about the same length as the left shoulder belt  16  and the lap portion  72  is about the same length as the left lap belt  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the length of the elongate sleeve  68  is adjusted by folding one or both ends of the sheet of the sleeve flatly back over themselves as required. 
     Fold strip  80  of the left elongate sleeve  68  behind the joined left shoulder and lap belts,  16  &amp;  20  respectively, and the left lap sleeve  40  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted). 
     Fold strip  78  of the left elongate sleeve  68  behind the folded strip  80  and fasten the hooked material  82  of the strip  78  to the looped material  84  of the strip  80 , thereby holding the left elongate sleeve  68  closed around the joined left shoulder and lap belts,  16  and  20  respectively, and the left lap sleeve  40  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted). Closing the elongate sleeve around the left lap sleeve of the seat cover may be of particular importance when using the seat cover version without elasticised sleeves as it closes off food access to the left lap aperture of the seat cover, thereby limiting food from passing through the left aperture and beneath the seat cover on to the seat. 
     Repeat steps  1  to  5  for the right side. 
     Pull the anti-submarine belt  22  taught. 
     Place the rear surface of the central strip  96  of the anti-submarine sleeve  90  of the middle piece  88  in front of the anti-submarine belt  22  and the anti-submarine sleeve  42  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted), with the junction clasp  24  projecting above the top of the anti-submarine sleeve  90 . 
     Adjust the length of the anti-submarine sleeve  90  if and as required so that it is about the same length as the anti-submarine belt  22 . The length of the anti-submarine sleeve  90  is adjusted by folding the bottom end of the flat sheet of the sleeve flatly back on itself. 
     Fold strip  98  (as indicated by arrow  118  in  FIG. 13 ) of the anti-submarine sleeve  90  behind the anti-submarine belt  22  and the anti-submarine sleeve  42  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted). 
     Fold strip  100  (as indicated by arrow  120  in  FIG. 13 ) of the anti-submarine sleeve  90  behind the folded strip  98  and fasten the hooked material  102  of the strip  100  to the looped material  104  of the strip  98 , thereby holding the anti-submarine sleeve  90  closed around the anti-submarine belt  22  and the anti-submarine sleeve  42  of the seat cover  8  (if fitted). Closing the elongate sleeve around the anti-submarine sleeve of the seat cover may be of particular importance when using the seat cover version without elasticised sleeves as it closes off food access to the anti-submarine aperture of the seat cover, thereby limiting food from passing through the anti-submarine aperture and beneath the seat cover on to the seat. 
     Sit child  6  in the safety seat  4 . 
     Fasten the five point safety harness  14  around the child  6  by clipping heads  30  of the left and right adjustment buckles  26  into opposite sides of the junction clasp  24 . 
     Arrange the wrap strip  92  of the middle piece  88  in front of the junction clasp and then fold the overlap segment  94  (as indicated by arrow  122  in  FIG. 13 ) of the middle piece  88  down behind the junction clasp  24 . 
     Wrap the left end of the wrap strip  92  (as indicated by arrow  124  in  FIG. 13 ) around behind the junction clasp  24 , fastening the hooked material  106  to the looped material  110  of the overlap segment  94 . Similarly, wrap the right end of the wrap strip  92  (as indicated by arrow  126  in  FIG. 13 ) around behind the junction clasp  24 , fastening the hooked material  108  to the looped material  112  of the overlap segment  94 . This substantially closes off the junction clasp  24  and connected elements from spillage. 
     The harness cover  10  may also be fitted for use in isolation, without the seat cover  8 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an alternative seat cover  128 , which may be used instead of seat cover  8 . Like seat cover  8 , seat cover  128  comprises a main sheet  130  with an elasticised pouch  132 , an anti-submarine aperture  134 , a pair of lap apertures  136 , and a notch  138 . An anti-submarine sleeve (not visible) projects forward from the front surface of the seat cover  128  and surround the anti-submarine aperture  134  and a pair of lap sleeves  140  (left lap sleeve shown in inset of  FIG. 14 ) projects forward from the front surface of the seat cover  128  and surrounds respective lap apertures  136 . The anti-submarine and lap sleeves are closed tubes which are unable to be unfastened. They each have a circular elastic band  142  for closing off their respective apertures around respective belts. The seat cover  128  further comprises upper and lower pairs of shoulder apertures,  146  and  144  respectively. Having upper and lower shoulder apertures allows the seat cover  128  to be fitted on various sized safety seats with shoulder belts emerging at different heights. There are no lap and shoulder splits present in the alternative seat cover. Therefore all belts of the five point safety harness  14  should be disconnected prior to fitting so that each belt can be individually threaded through its associated aperture in the seat cover  8 . Once the belts have been threaded through their associated apertures in the cover, the elasticised sleeves surrounding the lap and anti-submarine apertures will automatically recoil and close around their associated belts. 
     Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential items or the spirit or ambit of the invention. 
     It will be also understood that where the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated item or items but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of another item or items. 
     The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.