Patent Publication Number: US-9402484-B2

Title: Seat cover system

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/107,099, filed Oct. 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference into this application. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to barrier and cover systems for seats, especially seats in public places used by a number of people. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Seating surfaces on mass transportation vehicles such as airplanes or trains or seating provided at public venues such as theaters or arenas are often infrequently cleaned and as a result are often dirty. Moreover, it is not often practical or possible for a user to clean their own seating area, much less transport and store the cleaning supplies and tools required to truly clean seating surfaces to such vehicles or venues. Accordingly, a cover system which provides a barrier between a user and a contaminated seating area, while being easy to transport and store, is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides seating area barrier system having a main cover with a generally rectangular shape. The main cover includes a bottom portion adapted to extend across a base of a seat and a top portion adapted to extend across and over a back portion of a seat. The main cover defines a underside adapted to directly contact a seat and a topside opposite the bottom side and adapted to contact a user. The seating area barrier system further includes first and second elongate securing members coupled to the main cover at opposing positions proximate a perimeter of the main cover. The first and second securing members selectively engage the top portion of the main cover and removably secure the main cover relative to a seat. 
     The present disclosure further provides a cover system for a seat having a base, a back, armrests and a tray. The cover system includes a main cover having a generally rectangular shape. The main cover includes a bottom portion adapted to extend across the base of the seat and a top portion adapted to extend across and over the back of the seat. The main cover further includes first and second elongate securing members extending from opposite sides thereof, the first and second securing members selectively engaging the top portion of the main cover. The first and second securing members are adapted to secure the main cover relative to the seat. The cover system further includes first and second armrest covers having a generally elongate shape with a U-shaped cross section. The first and second armrest covers each further include an open end opposing a closed end. The first and second armrest covers are adapted to extend over the armrests of the seat with the closed ends thereof abutting outwardly facing ends of the armrests. The cover system also includes a tray cover adapted to extend over the tray of the seat. The tray cover has a generally rectangular shape with at least first and second securing components extending from opposite sides thereof. The first and second securing members are adapted to secure the tray cover relative to the tray. The main cover, the first and second armrest covers, and the tray cover of the cover system are all made of relatively lightweight, material and are foldable to a relatively compact size for transportation and storage. The cover system may also include a carrier adapted to store the main cover, the first and second armrest covers, and the tray cover with the main cover, the first and second armrest covers, and the tray cover being folded on themselves. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration with a perspective view of a cover system for a seat with armrests according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration with an overhead view of the front side of a main cover component of a cover system according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration with an overhead view of the top portion of the main cover of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration with an overhead view of the underside of the main cover of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are illustrations with perspective views of a main cover component of a cover system disposed on a seat with the securing members and top portion disengaged according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration with a perspective view of the main cover of  FIGS. 5 and 6  with the securing members and top part engaging and securing the main cover relative to the seat according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8-11  are illustrations with overhead views of a main cover component for a cover system being folded according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration with an overhead view of the underside of an armrest cover component for a cover system according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration with an overhead view of the topside of the armrest cover of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIGS. 14-15  are illustrations with overhead views of the armrest cover of  FIG. 12  being folded according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 16-17  are illustrations with overhead views of another armrest cover being folded according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is an illustration with an overhead view of a cover system having a main cover component and two armrest cover components which are folded for storage and/or transportation according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is an illustration with a perspective view of the topside of a tray cover component of a cover system for a seat with a tray according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is an illustration with a perspective view of the underside of the tray cover of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an illustration with an overhead view of the underside of the tray cover of  FIG. 19  with the securing members being engaged according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 22-23  are illustrations with overhead views of the tray cover of  FIG. 19  being folded according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 24  is an illustration with an overhead view of a cover system having a main cover component, a tray cover component, and two armrest cover components which are folded for storage and/or transportation according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 25  is an illustration with a perspective view of the topside of another tray cover component of a cover system for a seat with a tray according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 26  is an illustration with a perspective view of the underside of the tray cover of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is an illustration with an overhead view of the underside of the tray cover of  FIG. 25  with the securing members being engaged according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 28-29  are illustrations with overhead views of the tray cover of  FIG. 25  being folded according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 30-32  are illustrations of another cover system according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 33-36  are illustrations of yet another cover system according the principles of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 37  is an illustration of the carrier components of the cover systems of  FIGS. 30-32  and  FIGS. 33-36 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary cover system  20  according to the principles of the present disclosure is shown covering a conventional armchair  22 . Cover system  20  includes a main cover  24  and first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28 . By covering the base  30 , back  32 , and armrests  34 ,  36  of armchair  22 , cover system  20  provides a barrier between armchair  22  and a user thereof. 
     It should be understood that a cover system according to the principles of the present disclosure can be used with a variety of chairs, seats, seating areas, and other resting places; namely chairs and seats in public places. As such, while the present disclosure includes details of exemplary cover system  20  relative to armchair  22 , it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited this particular exemplary embodiment. In particular, by way of non-limiting example, a cover according to the principles of the present disclosure may be used with airplane and train seating areas, including trays as described in more detail herein, as well as with theater, arena, and stadium seats. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 2-11 , main cover  24  of cover system  20  is shown in further detail. Main cover  24  includes a top portion  50  configured to extend across and over back  32  of armchair  22  and a bottom portion  52  configured to extend across base  30  of armchair  22 . Main cover  24  further includes first and second securing members  54 ,  56  extending from opposite sides thereof. Exemplary first and second securing members  54 ,  56  are in the form of elongate straps having the same size and shape. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3-4 , top portion  50  includes first and second segments  70 ,  72  of a first coupling material disposed along the edge thereof. First and second securing members  54 ,  56  including first and second segments  80 ,  82  of a second coupling material, respectively. The first and second coupling materials are complementary to each other so as to removably secure to one another, when engaged. For example, the coupling material at segments  70 ,  72  is a loop material, and the coupling material at segments  80 ,  82  is a hook material which can removably engage the loop material. 
     Top portion  50  further includes a pleat  90  to guide main cover  24  over back  32  of armchair  22  and provide additional strength to main cover  24 . Main cover  24  also includes an exterior hem  92  formed at the perimeter thereof, also to add strength and durability to main cover  24 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the installation of main cover  24  on armchair  22  is shown. Main cover  24  is disposed on armchair  22  with top portion  50  extending over back  32  and bottom portion  52  extending over seat  30 . Next, first and second securing members  54 ,  56  are wrapped around back  32  of armchair  22  and engaged with top portion  50  so that the segments  70 ,  72  and the segments  80 ,  82  are engaged and, therefore, first and second securing members  54 ,  56  are secured relative to top portion  50 . As first and second securing members are wrapped around back  32  of armchair  22 , main cover  24  is secured relative to armchair  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-11 , main cover  24  is shown as successively folded over itself to a compact size. As such, when not in use, main cover  24  can be easily transported and stored. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 12-17 , first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  of cover system  20  are shown in detail. It should be understood that first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  are substantially similar or the same, and that a description of one of first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  applies equally to the other, unless otherwise noted. Therefore, several details of first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  are only described herein with reference to first armrest cover  26 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 12-13 , first armrest cover  26  includes three elongate sections: a center section  120 , a first side section  122 , and a second side section  124 . Center and first side sections  120 ,  122  are separated by a pleat  126 , and center and second side sections  120 ,  124  are separated by a pleat  128 . 
     First armrest cover  26  defines an open end  129  and a closed end  130 . To form closed end  130 , center section  120  extends further than side sections  122 ,  124  at closed end  130 , bends generally perpendicularly, and is secured to edges  132  and  134  of first and second side sections  122 ,  124 , respectively. Edges  132  and  134  are generally perpendicular to pleats  126 ,  128 , respectively. First armrest cover  26  further includes an exterior hem  136  at the perimeter thereof to provide durability and strength to first armrest cover  26 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-15 , first armrest cover  26  is shown successively folded over itself to a compact size, with closed end  130  collapsing inwardly. Referring to  FIGS. 16-17 , second armrest cover  28 , defining an open end  149  and a closed end  150  is shown successively folded over itself to a compact size, with closed end  150  collapsing outwardly. With reference to all of  FIGS. 14-17 , when not in use, first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  can be easily transported and stored. 
     With reference to  FIG. 18 , cover system  20  is shown with main cover  24  and first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  all folded to a compact size. As such, when not in use, the entirety of cover system  20  can be easily transported and stored. 
     Cover system  20  may further include a tray cover. For example, seats in trains and airplanes typically include a fold out tray. A tray cover according to the principles of the present disclosure may be used to provide a barrier between a user of such a seat and the surface of the tray. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19-23 , a tray cover  170  according to the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Tray cover  170  includes a main section  172  having a generally rectangular shape and first and second securing members  174 ,  176  extending from opposite sides of main section  172 . As show in the figures, first securing member  174  may be in the form of a loop, while second securing member may be in the form of a strip having a first coupling material segment  178  and a second coupling material segment secured thereto. With particular reference to  FIG. 21 , second coupling member  176  may extend through the loop formed by first coupling member  174  and engage first and second coupling material segments  178 ,  180  together. First and second coupling material segments  178 ,  180  are made of complementary materials which removably secure when engaged, such as loop and hook material, respectively. When tray cover  170  is disposed on a tray, first and second securing members may extend underneath the tray and engage each other to secure tray cover  170  relative to the tray. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22-23 , tray cover  170  is shown as successively folded over itself to a compact size. As such, when not in use, tray cover  170  can be easily transported and stored. 
     Furthermore, with reference to  FIG. 24 , cover system  20  is shown with main cover  24 , first and second armrest covers  26 ,  28  and tray cover  170  all folded to a compact size. As such, when not in use, the entirety of cover system  20  can be easily transported and stored. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 25-29 , another tray cover  270  according to the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Tray cover  270  includes a main section  272  having a generally rectangular shape and first and second securing members  274 ,  276  extending from opposite sides of main section  272 . As show in the figures, first and second securing members  274 ,  276  may be in the form of strips. Second securing member  276  has a first coupling material segment  278  secured thereto, and first securing member  274  has a second coupling material segment  282  secured thereto. With particular reference to  FIG. 27 , first and second coupling members  274 ,  276  may be folded over to engage first and second coupling material segments  278 ,  282  together. First and second coupling material segments  278 ,  282  are made of complementary materials which removably secure when engaged, such as loop and hook material, respectively. When tray cover  270  is disposed on a tray, first and second securing members  274 ,  276  may extend underneath the tray and engage each other to secure tray cover  270  relative to the tray. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-29 , tray cover  270  is shown as successively folded over itself to a compact size. As such, when not in use, tray cover  270  can be easily transported and stored. 
     Another cover system  1020  according to the principles of the present disclosure is depicted in  FIGS. 30-32 . Main cover  1024  is disposed over the seat and back of an exemplary chair, first and second armrest covers  1026 ,  1028  are disposed over the armrests of the chair, and tray cover  1170  is disposed over a tray (explanatorily depicted in  FIG. 30  by a box). Unless otherwise provided herein, it should be understood that the components of cover system  1020  are substantially similar or the same as the components of cover system  20  described herein. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 30 , tray cover  1170  of cover system  1020  is formed with a main section  1172  configured to correspond with the top surface of the tray and sidewalls  1182 ,  1184 ,  1186  (not visible),  1188  (not visible) extending from main section  1172 . As such, sidewalls  1182 ,  1184 ,  1186 ,  1188  of tray cover  1170  abut the edges and side portions of the tray to maintain the positioning of tray cover  1170  relative to the top surface of the tray. 
     Referring to  FIG. 32 , cover system  1020  also includes a carrier  1200 . Carrier  1200  is configured to hold all of the components of cover system  1020  when they are folded to a compact size. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 33-36 , yet another cover system  2020  according to the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. Unless otherwise provided herein, it should be understood that the components of cover system  2020  are substantially similar or the same as the components of cover system  1020  described herein. 
     Main cover  2024  of cover system  2020  includes a first securing member  2054  with an end  2060  in the form of a closed loop movably disposed around a guide member  2062 . Guide member  2062  is secured to the underside of main cover  2024  so as to define a closed path for end  2060  of first securing member  2054  to translate. With this configuration, cover system  2020  is adaptable to seating areas of varying size and varying positions of main cover  2024 , as first securing member  2054  can be positioned to correspond with the coupling material and/or other fastening device. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 36 , another configuration of cover system  2020  is disclosed. Main cover  2224  is substantially similar to main cover  2024 , but guide member  2262  is positioned on the topside of main cover  2224 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 37 , carrier  1200  of cover system  1020  and carrier  2200  of cover system  2020  are depicted. As is depicted in the illustrated pattern portions of cover system  2020 , such as portion  2189  of  FIG. 33 , cover systems according to the principles of the present disclosure can be made from a variety of materials to appeal to a variety of tastes, while maintaining the same configuration and functionality. 
     According to the principles of the present disclosure, to further provide for the use, transportation, and storage of a cover system as disclosed herein, the main sections of components thereof are made of lightweight, flexible materials. Such materials can be the same or may vary between the components. The materials can be launderable, so as to be machine washable by a consumer. The materials can also be treated to have anti-microbial properties. Alternatively, the materials can be selected so that the overall system is disposable and biodegradable, such as durable paper. 
     The system of the present disclosure further vary. For example, a cover system according to the present disclosure can include more components, such as a carrying case. The components of a cover system according to the present disclosure can be made of a variety of materials, have a variety of shapes, and have a variety of configurations. For example, the securing members for the various components can have differing locations, and more than two securing members can be provided on any one component. Furthermore, the components of a cover system according to the present disclosure include a variety of materials, mechanisms, or devices for removably securing and engaging each other. For example, a main cover component according to the principles of the present disclosure could include snap or button assemblies in place of or in addition to the coupling materials on the top portion and the securing members. Additionally, according to the principles of the present disclosure, a main cover can be configured to be secured to a seat without securing members, such as having coupling material on the underside of the top portion thereof and engaging with complementary coupling material built into a seat. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and that it is not limited to any particular embodiment or feature disclosed herein.