Patent Abstract:
A recreational vehicle comprising a seat with a storage pocket for transporting items is disclosed. The recreational vehicle may be a snowmobile, watercraft, all-terrain vehicle, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The vehicles is provided with a seat which typically comprises a sturdy and resilient frame which supports one or more cushioning layers, and an outer cover. The vehicle seat contains a cavity which serves as a storage compartment. The seat cover contains a pocket which inserts into the storage compartment to serve as a readily removable liner. The pocket is covered with a lid which can be reversibly closed over the pocket opening.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a storage compartment liner for use in the seat of recreational vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a storage pocket for use in the seat trunk of snowmobiles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles typically benefit from the provision of some sort of storage compartment to enable the riders to transport additional small items. The storage compartment provides a location in which various items can be stored while moving from one location to another, without further burdening the rider. These storage compartments can be located in various portions of the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,290 discloses an expanded storage compartment for watercraft which takes advantage unused space within the interior of the bow for additional storage space. U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,634 discloses an all terrain vehicle in which a storage compartment is provided over the front wheels of the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,233 discloses a lighted snowmobile storage compartment in the rear portion of the seat. Various attachable storage devices have been described as well. 
     Relative to other motor vehicles, recreational vehicles are often driven over rougher terrain and with greater exposure to the elements. These conditions can make it difficult to safely store items being carried, as they become exposed to the elements and/or subject to breakage as they impact on the sides of the storage compartment. Ice, dirt, seawater, or various other contaminants may find their way into the storage compartment, damaging or soiling the items carried within. For snowmobiles in particular, the trunk is often in communication with the trunk compartment via an air passage. Although such trunks are typically sealed, the seat is typically made of a compressible foam material which compresses when a rider sits, driving air out of the foam and into the trunk compartment where it may break the seal with the lid of the trunk. Alternately, when the rider stands up, the seat draws air out of the storage compartment, creating a vacuum which can suck in melted snow or other items. 
     Another problem with existing storage compartments for recreational vehicles is that they are not particularly well designed for cleaning and easy retrieval of items stored within. This is due, in part, to the fact that recreational vehicles are often relatively small, with little excess space. Storage space is provided wherever found, and may often be irregular in shape and contain cracks and crevices in which items or debris may become lodged. Difficulty of item retrieval is further exacerbated by the fact that the vehicle operator may be wearing gloves for protection from the elements, and may be attempting to retrieve items in darkness or under inclement weather conditions which reduce visibility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the storage pocket of the present invention provides a device which can be used to improve reliability, accessibility, and cleanliness of a variety of spaces used for storage in recreational vehicles. More specifically, the present invention provides a recreational vehicle seat with a storage compartment which is lined with a pocket. This pocket serves to protect items stored within from the elements and from damage from the sides of the storage compartment. Furthermore, the storage pocket improves the accessibility of enclosed items by forming a space which is easily searched and one which prevents items from becoming lodged or escaping through cracks or crevices within the storage space. The storage pocket may also be provided with a cover lid. For these and other reasons, the storage pocket improves the cleanliness of the storage space, by avoiding the uptake of debris and by making the removal of such debris simpler. Finally, the pocket hides from view the raw edges of the material used to form the storage space, such as vinyl and foam, providing a space which is more aesthetically appealing. 
     One aspect of the present invention involves a snowmobile seat for a snowmobile, comprising a resilient seat frame configured for removably mounting the seat on a snowmobile; a flexible seat cushion having a lower surface on the seat frame and an upper surface on which a rider may sit, the seat cushion forming a cavity usable as a storage space; a cover comprised of a water-resistant material, the cover covering the flexible seat cushion and fastening to the seat frame, the cover having a lid that selectively covers the cavity; and a storage pocket mounted within the cavity and opening towards the lid. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the storage pocket may open at an upper end, the upper end being fastened to the cover. The upper end of the pocket may be positioned under a lid in order to retain and protect the contents of the pocket. Preferably, the seat cushion contains a lower layer of closed cell foam and an upper layer of open cell foam. The cavity is preferably formed in the lower layer. The seat and pocket may be formed from a variety of materials. However, using closed cell foam formed of expanded polypropylene, open cell foam formed of polyurethane foam, a frame formed of plastic, and a storage pocket formed of nylon fabric are all preferred embodiments. The storage pocket may be attached to the seat through a variety of means, but a preferred method is to stitch it to the cover. Optionally, the bottom interior of the storage pocket may be provided with an internal loop which allows the storage pocket to be pulled out of the cavity by means of the loop. 
     A further aspect of the present invention involves a snowmobile having a storage trunk, comprising a longitudinally extending chassis including a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having an endless drive track disposed therein, with the rear portion defining an operator seat area. In this aspect, the front portion mounts a pair of steerable skis. A straddle-type seat mounted on the chassis at the operator seat area, the seat having a flexible seat cushion, the flexible seat cushion having an upper surface on which a rider may sit, and the seat cushion forming a cavity open on its outer surface and usable as a storage space. In this embodiment, a cover comprised of a water-resistant material is provided, the cover covering the flexible seat cushion, and the cover has a lid that selectively covers the open end of the cavity. Finally, this embodiment possesses a storage pocket mounted within the cavity and opening towards the lid. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowmobile having a storage pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat cover having a storage pocket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the various components making up a vehicle seat having a storage pocket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a section view schematic of an embodiment of the vehicle seat using two types of cell foam, where the storage compartment is formed within the cell foam; 
     FIG. 5 is a section view schematic of an embodiment of the vehicle seat using a single type of cell foam, where the storage compartment is formed within the cell foam; and 
     FIG. 6 is a section view schematic of an embodiment of the vehicle seat using a single type of cell foam, where the storage compartment is formed within the seat frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings, the snowmobile  10  portrayed is an exemplary recreational vehicle. Although the present invention will be shown and described in the context of the illustrated snowmobile, some aspects and features of the present invention can also be employed with other vehicles such as motorcycles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, and the like, in a manner that would be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     The drawings depict preferred embodiments of a snowmobile and snowmobile seat incorporating the storage pocket of the invention. It will be understood, however, that many of the specific details of the snowmobile with a storage pocket illustrated in the drawings could be changed or modified by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing significantly from the spirit of the invention. 
     A snowmobile  10  having a storage pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.  1 . The snowmobile  10  includes a body assembly  12  made up of a number of parts which may be formed of suitable materials, such as plastic or synthetic resin, that cover and protect a support frame or chassis  14 . The body  12  further includes a rear body portion  16  that accommodates a seat  18  adapted to seat one or more riders in straddle fashion. A handlebar assembly  20 , positioned forwardly of the seat, is conventionally connected to a pair of front skis  22  for steering the snowmobile. The skis  22  are supported by a suitable front suspension system that is connected to the chassis  14 . 
     Rearwardly of the front skis  22  and beneath the seat  18 , the chassis  14  suspends an endless track assembly  24  by a suitable suspension. The endless track  24  has a plurality of spaced ribs  26  which extend from the exterior surface of the track. These ribs  26  not only provide traction to the endless track  24  but may also assist the operation of the cooling system. The endless track  24  is driven by an internal combustion engine that is supported by the chassis  14  and located in an engine compartment within the body  12  towards the front of the snowmobile  10 . The storage compartment  28  is present in this embodiment at the rear of the seat, as will be shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-6. 
     A perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the seat cover  30  having a storage pocket  32  of the present invention is shown in FIG.  2 . The seat cover  30  is designed to slip over the outside of the seat  18 , and is preferably constructed of vinyl. On one or both sides of the seat cover are attachment points  34  which use buttons to help secure the seat cover  30  to the seat  18 . In one embodiment, the seat cover  30  is primarily secured to the seat  18  by means of staples along the outer edge of the seat cover, which are fired into the frame  40 , though a variety of other means of attachment know to those skilled in the art may be used. The storage pocket  32  is attached to the storage opening  36  to form a pocket which rests within the storage compartment  28  of the seat  18 . The storage pocket  32  is preferably attached to the storage opening  36  of the seat  18  by stitching. The storage pocket  32  can be made of a variety of materials. Preferably it is made of a flexible material which durable, water resistant, and capable of occupying the majority of the available storage space. A particularly preferred material for this use is denier nylon, which is flexible, water-resistant, and highly durable. The storage pocket  32  may also be provided with various loops or other attachment devices in order to carry items (e.g. tool kits, maps, spark plugs) fixed to the inner surface of the storage pocket  32 . 
     The storage opening  36  is preferably covered with a lid  38 . The lid  38 , or flap, is designed to cover the storage opening  36  and to keep out foreign material while retaining any items placed within the storage pocket  32 . The lid  38  may be permanently attached to the seat cover  30  along one edge, typically by stitching, and reversibly attached in order to keep it closed by means of hook and loops, Velcro™, buttons, or a variety of other attachment devices, in which case the lid is most easily envisioned as a flap. Alternately, the lid  38  may screw onto the opening, or be otherwise reversibly attached. When the lid  38  resembles a flap, it is typically comprised of the same material used for the rest of the seat cover  30 . 
     FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a vehicle seat  18 , showing the various components that make up the vehicle seat in one preferred embodiment. The bottom component of the seat is the frame  40 , which provides support and structure for the seat. In some arrangements, the frame  40  is formed from metals such as steel or aluminum. In other, more lightweight arrangements, the frame  40  can be formed from resin materials such as thermoplastics. The frame is generally concave and forms a trough in which a saddle-shaped seat assembly comprising the seat cushion portions are supported. The frame  40  is positioned over an opening in the body of the snowmobile  10  and is secured in position in any suitable manner. In a preferred embodiment, the frame  40  is attached to the chassis of the vehicle in the front using two tongues that fit under the gas tank, while two self tapping fasteners are used to secure the frame  40  at the rear of the vehicle. 
     Adjacent to and above the frame  40  is the lower seat cushion  42 . The lower seat cushion  42  is preferably formed of a material which provides structure and support, but will compress slightly under pressure to increase rider comfort. A preferred material exhibiting these characteristics is a closed cell foam formed of expanded polypropylene. Alternately, an open cell expanded polyethelene foam may be used, particularly in some high performance racing vehicles. The lower seat cushion  42  is generally rectangular in shape, with an elevated rear portion that serves as a back support and to help the rider remain on the vehicle during acceleration. The bottom surface of the lower seat cushion is adapted to conform to the upper surface of the frame  40 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the storage compartment  28  is housed within the rear portion of the lower seat cushion  42 . 
     While the storage compartment  28  is shown in the figures as being at the rear portion of the top of the seat, the present invention is by no means limited to such location, and may be located at any suitable space upon the vehicle seat  18  where space is available and accessible to the rider, including the rear, sides, front, etc. 
     Adjacent to and above the lower seat cushion  42  is the upper seat cushion  44 . The upper seat cushion  44  is provided primarily to increase rider comfort, and is preferably formed of a readily compressible open cell foam such as polyurethane foam. The upper seat cushion is preferably a rectangular, lozenge shape adapted to fit over the lower seat cushion  42  while providing a comfortable support surface for human riders. Note that the seat cover  30  with storage pocket  32 , described above, will be wrapped over the structure shown in FIG. 3, with the storage pocket positioned to rest within storage compartment  28 , to provide the vehicle seat with storage pocket of the present invention. 
     Remaining FIGS. 4,  5 , and  6  illustrate different embodiments of the vehicle seat  18  shown in FIG. 3. A schematic sectional view is employed to illustrate the materials used to form various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which the vehicle seat comprises a frame  40  which supports a lower seat cushion  42 , which in turn supports an upper seat cushion  44 . In this embodiment, the cavity which forms the storage compartment  28  is formed within the lower seat cushion  42 . The cavity can vary considerably in size and shape, and is may in some cases be nothing more than a gap between components that is of a size sufficient to be useful for holding items such as food or keys. The seat cover  30  overlays the vehicle seat  18 , and is positioned such that storage pocket  32  rests within the storage compartment  28 . The storage pocket  32  is covered by a lid  38 , which is held closed by a reversible attachment device. Also shown is loop  46  within the storage pocket  32 . This loop  46  is preferably attached to the lower portion of the storage pocket  32  to enable easy and thorough cleaning and emptying of the storage pocket  32  by pulling on the loop to pull the storage pocket out of the seat cover  18  through opening  36 . 
     Alternate embodiments of the vehicle seat  18  are shown in FIG.  5  and FIG.  6 . These embodiments have all of the characteristics described in FIG. 4, except for the noted differences. The vehicle seat  18  shown in FIG. 5 differs from that described above for FIG. 4 in that it lacks the upper seat cushion  44 , and instead consists of a lower seat cushion  42  placed over a frame  40 . The storage compartment  28  is again formed within the lower seat cushion  42 . The lower seat cushion  42  could be formed of open cell foam or closed cell foam as discussed above. 
     In FIG. 6, a single seat cushion, i.e. a lower seat cushion  42 , is again used, as in FIG. 5, but in this embodiment the frame  40  of the vehicle seat  18  forms the storage compartment  28 . 
     In yet another embodiment not specifically shown, the frame  40  embodiment shown in FIG. 6 could be used with the dual layer seat cushions (lower seat cushion  42  and upper seat cushion  44 ) shown in FIG.  4 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the frame  40  in FIGS. 4 and 5 could be eliminated, provided that the seat  18  is mounted to the snowmobile chassis in any alternate manner known in the art (e.g., snaps, hook and loops, adhesive, etc.). In such an embodiment, the lower cushion  42  would mount on top of the chassis. 
     A recreational vehicle and a recreational seat arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention provides a lined storage space which can be used to safely store various items needed by the rider of the vehicle. Through inclusion of a storage pocket  32  made of sturdy and water-resistant material, items are prevented from becoming lost within the often irregularly shaped storage compartment  28 , and can be easily retrieved by hand or by removing the storage pocket  32  from the storage compartment  28  through use of an easily found and graspable pull device provided within the pocket, such as a loop  46 . The storage pocket  32  and the lid  38  also serve to keep the items stored clean and minimize damage caused by movement within the storage compartment  32  during transportation. The presence of a storage pocket  32  also prevents exposure of the raw edges of the materials used to form the seat, which has aesthetic advantages. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Thus, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1