Abstract:
A seat cushion is provided with seat belt strap engaging arms operable to engage and spread the lap belt and shoulder belt straps, if present, of a seat belt structure away from the center of the stroller or other seat to provide easier access to place a user of the seat in the seat. Installation of the cushion is facilitated in one embodiment by adapting the arms to be detachably coupled to seat belt and shoulder belt straps. As a result, the cushion can be placed in the seat and the arms coupled to the straps without the need to undo the straps of the seat belt structure before use of the cushion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/941,392, entitled SEAT CUSHION, filed on Feb. 18, 2014. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to seat cushions such as for car seats, strollers or jogging strollers, and specifically to seat cushions with features that engage and facilitate the use of seat belt harnesses used in such products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It can be difficult to position individuals, especially toddlers, in a car seat or stroller that has a seat belt structure. That is, a person while holding the child, must often move seat belt straps out of the way using one hand in order to create space to position the child in the seat without the child sitting on seat belts. This task is even more difficult with modern seat belt structures that have both lap belts and shoulder straps that are designed to be buckled together over the stomach area of the child. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with this disclosure, a seat cushion is provided with seat belt strap engaging arms operable to engage and spread the lap belt and shoulder belt straps, if present, of a seat belt structure away from the center of the stroller or other seat to provide easier access to place a user of the seat in the seat. In accordance with one embodiment, the cushion is configured to fit a wide variety of seats. Installation of the cushion is facilitated in one embodiment by adapting the arms to be detachably coupled to seat belt and shoulder belt straps. As a result, the cushion can be placed in the seat and the arms coupled to the straps without the need to undo the straps of the seat belt structure before use of the cushion. Consequently, the cushion can easily be moved from one seat to another and can also be removed for cleaning. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a seat cushion comprises: a body comprising a central portion, first and second side portions and first and second end portions; first and second elongated spaced apart shoulder strap engaging members projecting outwardly from the first end portion of the body; a first elongated lap belt strap engaging member projecting outwardly from the first side portion of the body; a second elongated belt strap engaging member projecting outwardly from the second side portion of the body; an elongated crotch belt strap engaging member projecting outwardly from the second end portion of the body; the first and second elongated shoulder strap engaging members each having a proximal end portion coupled to the first end portion of the body and a distal end portion; the first and second lap belt strap engaging members each having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of the first lap belt strap engaging member being coupled to the first side portion of the body, and the proximal end portion of the second lap belt strap engaging member second lap belt strap engaging member being coupled to the second side portion of the body; a first shoulder strap biasing element coupled to the body and to the first shoulder strap engaging member and configured to bias the distal end portion of the first shoulder strap engaging member away from the body; a second shoulder strap biasing element coupled to the body and to the second shoulder strap engaging member and configured to bias the distal end portion of the second shoulder strap engaging member away from the body; a first lap belt strap biasing element coupled to the body and to the first lap belt strap engaging member and configured to bias the distal end portion of the first lap belt strap engaging member away from the central portion of the body; and a second lap belt strap biasing element coupled to the body and to the second lap belt strap engaging member and configured to bias the distal end portion of the second lap belt strap engaging member away from the central portion of the body. 
     According to an aspect of an embodiment, the crotch belt strap engaging member comprises a proximal end portion coupled to the second end portion of the body and a distal end portion, the seat cushion further comprising a crotch belt strap biasing element coupled to the body and to the crotch belt strap engaging member and configured to bias the distal end portion of the crotch belt strap engaging member away from the central portion of the body. 
     According to another aspect of an embodiment, the first and second shoulder strap biasing elements, the first and second lap belt strap biasing elements, and the crotch belt strap biasing element, if included, each exert a biasing force of from 0.4 Newtons to 1.08 Newtons. These biasing elements can comprise elastic strips and can also comprise batting strips. 
     As a still further aspect of an embodiment, the first shoulder strap engaging member defines a first strap receiving opening that receives a first shoulder strap of a seat belt structure, the second shoulder strap engaging member defines a second strap receiving opening that receives a second shoulder strap of a seat belt structure, a first lap belt strap engaging member defines a third strap receiving opening that receives a first lap belt strap of a seat belt structure, the second lap belt strap engaging member defines a fourth strap receiving opening that receives a second lap belt strap of a seat belt structure, and the crotch belt strap engaging member defines a fifth strap receiving opening that receives a crotch belt strap of a seat belt structure. 
     The first, second, third and fourth strap receiving openings can each be bounded by a respective associated sleeve, each sleeve comprising a first sleeve forming portion and a second sleeve forming portion that are detachably coupled together to form the sleeve and that are detachable from one another such that the first and second sleeve forming portions are separable from one another to receive a respective associated shoulder or lap belt strap and detachably coupled together to form the sleeve and define the strap receiving opening for the associated shoulder strap or seat belt strap. In addition, the shoulder straps and lap belt straps can be slidable within their associated sleeve. 
     As yet another aspect of an embodiment, the first and second shoulder strap engaging members and the first and second lap belt strap engaging members can each comprise an enlarged distal end portion, the enlarged distal end portion comprising a first section and a second section, the first section being coupled to the second section to define the strap receiving opening. In addition, the first and second sections can be detachably coupled together to form the strap receiving opening. In one specific form, a portion of one of the first and second sections is folded over the other of the first and second sections and the folded over portion of said one of the first and second sections is detachably coupled to said other of the first and second sections. 
     As another aspect of an embodiment, the body comprises a front portion and a back portion, the back portion facing a seat that has a seat belt structure with first and second shoulder straps, first and second lap belt straps and a crotch belt strap, the back portion of the body comprising fasteners that are operable to detachably mount the body to the seat. The fasteners can comprise a plurality of elongated hook and eye fabric strips positioned to engage corresponding hook and eye fabric strips on the seat. 
     As yet another aspect of an embodiment, the body can comprise a front cover, a back cover and padding between the front and back covers. 
     As a further aspect, the seat cushion can be combined with a seat having a seat belt structure. 
     In addition, all possible combinations and sub-combinations of the above elements can be included in various embodiments. 
     These and other aspects of inventive features of the present invention will be more apparent from the description and drawings below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a seat belt cushion in accordance with this disclosure, shown positioned on a jogging stroller seat and with a seat belt shown in a belted condition. 
         FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , except that  FIG. 2  illustrates the seat belt structure in an unsnapped or unbuckled condition to show how arms of the cushion assist in moving the seat belt straps away from the cushion to facilitate placing a child on the seat cushion prior to buckling the seat belt. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the cushion with respective shoulder strap engaging arms, first and second seat lap belt engaging arms and a crotch belt engaging projection shown in positions extending away from the main body of the cushion. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the back view of the cushion of  FIG. 3 , with some exemplary hook and eye fastener strips shown horizontally thereon for use, if included, in detachably securing the cushion to a seat, such as to the seat of a jogging stroller, stroller or car seat.  FIG. 4  also illustrates optional elastic straps extending from the respective arms to the body of the cushion for pulling the arms to extended positions shown in  FIG. 3 , upwardly and outwardly away from the body of the cushion. An optional strap is shown in dashed lines coupled to the crotch projection of  FIG. 4 . It should be noted that other biasing mechanisms can be used instead of or in addition to the elastic straps. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the seat cushion of  FIG. 4 , showing exemplary shoulder strap engaging projections or arms. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged front view of one of the lap belt receiving projections or arms. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged back view of the projection or arm of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates one of the lap belt receiving projections with a portion of a back cover sheet removed to illustrate a biasing member extending into the arm. The biasing member in this example comprises batting that is secured to the cushion body and also to the projection at a location spaced from the cushion. The biasing element is positioned at the backside of the cushion body to assist in pulling the projection outwardly and upwardly away from the cushion when the projection engages a lap belt and the lap belt is unbuckled. 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary view of one of the projections shown broken apart to expose some of the internal batting for view. 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of a portion of the projection of  FIG. 9 , looking back toward the cushion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout this disclosure, when a reference is made to a first element being coupled to a second element, the term “coupled” is to be construed to mean both direct connection of the elements as well as indirect connection of the elements by way of one or more additional intervening elements. Also, the singular terms “a”, “and”, and “first”, mean both the singular and the plural unless the term is qualified to expressly indicate that it only refers to a singular element, such as by using the phase “only one”. Thus, for example, if two of a particular element are present, there is also “a” or “an” of such element that is present. In addition, the term “and/or” when used in this document is to be construed to include the conjunctive “and”, the disjunctive “or”, and both “and” and “or”. Also, the term “includes” has the same meaning as “comprises”. 
     The cushion is described below in connection with an exemplary use in a stroller, such as a jogging stroller. These cushions can be used in other applications as well, such as in car seats, infant carriers, wheelchairs and the like. It should be noted that the tend cushion is not limited to a padded cushion embodiment as the term cushion encompasses a substantially rigid material, such as comprising a polymer material, and/or comprised of a single or multi-layered flexible sheet stock, such as fabric. In a desirable form, the cushion is padded with foam or batting material. The cushion can be an integrated or unitary portion of a stroller, car seat or other product eat. Alternatively, the cushion can be loosely placed on the seat of such a product. In a desirable form, the cushion is detachably coupled to the seat, meaning that it can be separated from and removed from the seat. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the interior seat of a jogging stroller  10  is shown. The jogging stroller seat has a main upper support  12  for supporting the back of a child (or other user) placed in the jogging stroller. In addition, the jogging stroller includes a seat portion  14  for supporting the seat of the child placed in the jogging stroller. The jogging stroller is provided with a seat belt structure for holding the child in position within the stroller. The seat belt construction of  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a first shoulder strap portion  16  and a second shoulder strap portion  18 . The strap portions  16 ,  18  are coupled to the stroller and extend downwardly from the upper back portion of the jogging stroller. A lower portion  20  of the shoulder strap  16  is coupled to a first buckle section  22  at the right side of  FIG. 2 . A lower portion  24  of the shoulder strap  18  is coupled to a buckle section  26  at the left side of the stroller seat of  FIG. 2 . 
     In addition, a first lap belt strap  28  extends upwardly from the middle of the stroller toward the buckle section  22  and into engagement with this buckle section. Also, a second lap belt strap  30  extends upwardly from the middle of the stroller and into engagement with the buckle section  26 . The lap belt straps are also coupled to the stroller. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a lower crotch engaging strap portion  34  of the seat belt structure  34  extends upwardly from the jogging stroller and is coupled to a buckle component  36 . The strap portion  34  has a lower portion  33  coupled to the stroller. The buckle component  36  is designed to receive the buckle components  22  and  26  when the seat belt assembly is buckled as shown in  FIG. 1 . The seat belt structure is conventional. Other alternative seat belt configurations can be used. The strap portions  16 ,  18 ,  28 ,  30  and  33  can pass behind the stroller structure and, if desired, can comprise one or more loops that are joined together to form the seat belt construction. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the illustrated embodiment of a cushion  40  comprises a main body  42  having an upper body portion  50  and a lower body portion  52 . A fold may be stitched into or otherwise provided in body  50 , such as the curved fold indicated at  54  in these figures. The fold is optional, but does assist in conforming the cushion to fit the seat in which it is disposed. 
     The cushion body  42  comprises first and second side edge portions  56 ,  58  and first and second end portions  60 ,  62 . 
     In addition, the cushion  40  further comprises first and second elongated spaced apart shoulder strap engaging members such as arms  70 ,  72  projecting outwardly from a first end portion of the body, in this example from end portion  60 . Alternatively, these arms can extend outwardly from other locations of the cushion body. The shoulder strap engaging members  70 ,  72  are each configured in this example to fold over and define an opening, channel or sleeve for the respective shoulder straps  20 ,  24  to extend therein or therethrough. The opening or sleeve associated with shoulder strap engaging member  70  for shoulder strap  20  is indicated at  74  in these figures. In addition, the opening or sleeve associated with shoulder strap engaging member  72  for shoulder strap  24  is indicated at  76  in these figures. The shoulder strap engaging members in the illustrated embodiment each comprise a proximal end portion coupled to the body and a distal end portion. The proximal end portions can be joined together and the joined elements connected to the body. This is within the meaning of the proximal end portion coupled to the body. 
     In addition, the illustrated cushion construction comprises a first elongated lap belt strap engaging member or arm  80  projecting outwardly from one of the side edges, in this example from side edge portion  56 , of the cushion body  50 . The element  80  also folds over and envelops the strap  28  to define a lap belt strap receiving opening, channel or sleeve such as the opening or sleeve indicated at  82  in  FIG. 1 . A second elongated lap belt strap engaging member or arm  84  projects outwardly from a second side portion, in this example from side edge portion  58 , of the body. Lap belt engaging member  84  also folds over and envelops the lap belt strap  30  and defines a strap receiving opening, channel or sleeve such as opening or sleeve  86  through which the lap belt strap  30  extends. The arms  80 ,  84  can extend outwardly from alternative portions of the cushion body. The lap belt strap engaging members in the illustrated embodiment each have a proximal end portion coupled to the body and a distal end portion, and can be joined together at the proximal end portions as explained above in connection with the shoulder strap engaging members. 
     An elongated crotch belt strap engaging member or arm  90  projects outwardly from the second end portion, in this example from end portion  62 , of the body. When installed, the crotch belt strap engaging member folds upwardly as shown in  FIG. 1  and would be positioned between the legs of the child using the seat cushion. The crotch belt receiving element  90  also defines an opening, channel or sleeve  92  through which the crotch belt strap  34  can be extended. The illustrated crotch belt engaging member has a proximal end portion coupled to the body and a distal end portion. 
     It should be noted that the inventive features shown herein are applicable to cushions with only lap belt strap engaging arm members, with lap belt and shoulder strap engaging arms members, and with lap best and shoulder strap engaging arm members together with a crotch strap engaging arm member. 
     With this construction, the respective first and second shoulder strap engaging members, the first and second lap belt strap engaging members, as well as the crotch belt strap engaging member, cooperate to respectively engage associated shoulder straps, lap belt straps and the crotch strap of the seat belt construction. Also, desirably the strap engaging members are slidably coupled to the straps to permit relative movement of the straps and strap engaging arms. 
     The respective first and second shoulder strap engaging members each comprise a respective one or more biasing members or elements. In addition, the first and second lap belt engaging members also each comprise a respective one or more biasing members or elements. Alternatively, only selected ones of the strap engaging elements, such as the opposed lap belt engaging elements may have such biasing members. These biasing members are configured to urge the associated shoulder strap engaging members and lap belt engaging members away from the seat cushion body when the seat belt is disconnected. This is shown in  FIG. 2 . The crotch belt strap, because of its positioning, will tend to extend away from the cushion without a biasing member because of the influence of gravity. However, one or more biasing members can be associated with the crotch belt strap engaging member for biasing such member outwardly from the cushion. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , because of this biasing effect, the respective shoulder and lap seat belt straps in this example are held upwardly and away from the cushion when the seat belt structure is unstrapped. This makes it easy to place a child in the car seat, stroller or jogging stroller or other seat belt equipped seat prior to buckling the straps and reduces the need to have to fight the straps to place the child and straps in position. 
     In accordance with this disclosure, a first shoulder strap biasing element is desirably coupled to the body and to the first shoulder strap engaging member and configured to bias the first shoulder strap upwardly and outwardly. The biasing elements can take a number of forms, such as one or more elastic fabric strips, batting that has some elasticity with polyester batting being an example, or other resilient biasing elements (such as rubber or polymeric strips, bands or cords) that are desirably soft so they do not cause discomfort to the individual using the seat cushion. Similarly, the second shoulder strap biasing element is desirably coupled to the body and to the second shoulder strap engaging member and configured to bias the second shoulder strap upwardly and outwardly. In addition, a first lap belt strap biasing element is desirably coupled to the body and to the first lap belt strap engaging member and configured to bias the first lap belt strap engaging member upwardly and outwardly. In addition, a second lap belt strap biasing element is desirably coupled to the body and to the second seat lap belt strap engaging member and configured to bias the second lap belt strap engaging member upwardly and outwardly. Again, the crotch belt strap engaging member can be similarly biased by a crotch belt biasing element. 
     The biasing elements are positioned to exert tension on the back sides of the arm members, and desirably between the cushion body and a location of the back side of the arm member spaced from the cushion. Alternatively, the biasing elements can extend from one portion of an arm adjacent to the body to another portion of the arm that is more distally located from the body. Thus, the biasing elements can have a first end portion coupled to the body either directly connected to the body or indirectly connected to the body through an intervening structure such as a portion of a strap engaging arm. This tension or biasing force pulls the distal ends of the lap belt trap engaging members and the straps coupled thereto away from the center of the seat cushion and also desirably upwardly from the belted position (compare  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to provide a more easily accessible seat area for placing an individual onto the seat cushion. In a desirable embodiment, the biasing elements are also included in the shoulder strap engaging arms such that the tension or biasing force urges or pulls the shoulder straps upwardly and away from the central portion of the cushion; or assists in holding the should straps away from the anterior portion of the cushion. Although the biasing force can be varied, an exemplary biasing force is from 0.4 Newtons to 1.08 Newtons. The biasing elements desirably hold the distal ends of the strap engaging arms, spaced from the cushion away from the cushion when the seat belt components are disconnected. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the respective shoulder strap engaging members  70 ,  72  and lap belt strap engaging members or arms  80 ,  84  can be of a similar shape. Hence, only element  70  will be described in detail. The element  70  comprises a body  100  projecting outwardly from the associated portion of the cushion  50 . The body comprises a neck portion  102  adjacent to the cushion and a head portion  104  spaced by the neck portion from the cushion. The head portion is enlarged relative to the neck portion  102 . The illustrated head portion comprises first and second ear portions  106 ,  108 . As will be explained further below, the respective ear portions are provided with a fastening mechanism, such as snaps or hook and eye fastening material such as sold under the trademark Velcro®, such that the respective ears can be detachably secured together to define an opening, such as a sleeve or channel through which the associated seat belt strap passes. The crotch engaging member  90  can be similarly constructed. However, since the crotch belt member passes between the legs of the user, it is typically somewhat tapered, being wider at its base or proximal end portion  120  where it engages the edge portion  72  of the cushion and narrower at a distal end portion  122  spaced from the proximal end portion  120 . The member  90  typically has a closed sleeve (although it can be openable like the other sleeves) because it is easy to slip the crotch belt strap through the sleeve. As a result, the crotch belt strap engaging member easily fits between the legs of a child without placing undue pressure on the legs or crotch area of the child. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , respective fasteners, such as hook or eye fabric strips,  130 ,  132  and  134  can be positioned to extend transversely relative to the cushion in a side to side direction. Member  130  is positioned at the rear side of the cushion portion  52  on the cover sheet material for the back of the cushion; in this example positioned to engage a corresponding strip or element along the forward edge of the seat portion  14  of the jogging stroller. The element  130  can be stitched or otherwise secured to the cover sheet or cushion body. A fabric or other sheet material can also be used to cover the front side of the cushion. Such cover sheets can be of a durable material, such as polyester, and can comprise webbing or breathable material if desired. In the illustrated example, batting and/or foam is included between the cover and back sheets and can be held in place, such as by adhesive, stitching or other suitable mechanisms. The securing strip  132  can be positioned on the cushion body above the lap belt engaging members  80 ,  84  in a position to engage a corresponding strip or element on a lower portion of the main upper support portion  12  of the jogging stroller. The securing strip  134  can be positioned adjacent to an edge portion  60  of the cushion body in a position to engage a corresponding strip or element on an upper portion of the main upper support portion  14  of the jogging stroller. The strips can be hook and eye material, such as sold under the brand name Velcro®, in which case they would be detachably secured to corresponding strips mounted to the upper surface of the cushion of the stroller, car seat or the like. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , respective stretchable elastic or resilient strips  140 ,  142 ,  146  and  148  are shown extending from an adjacent edge portion of the cushion to the associated arm or projection, such as to the upper or distal end of the neck portion of the associated respective shoulder strap and lap belt strap engaging members  70 ,  72 ,  80  and  84 . These elastic strips assist in urging the associated strap engaging members upwardly and outwardly away from the cushion to thereby extend the shoulder straps away from the front of the cushion as shown in  FIG. 2 . The strips  140 ,  142 ,  144  and  146  are optional as other biasing members can be used in combination with or instead of such elements. Specific additional examples include stretchable polymeric or rubber bands or spring elements. The crotch strap engaging member  90  can similarly be provided with an elastic strip  150  extending from side edge portion  62  of the cushion to a central portion of the crotch strap  90 . The element  150  is shown in dashed lines because the crotch strap can be provided without any biasing mechanism whatsoever and instead rely upon gravity to accomplish the biasing. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  illustrate respective strap engaging members in greater detail. These elements will be described in connection with  FIGS. 6 and 7 . It should be noted that the strap engaging elements of  FIGS. 6 and 7  lack the elastic strip biasing element of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lap belt strap engaging projection or member  84  is shown in greater detail. In these figures,  FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of lap belt strap engaging member  84  and  FIG. 7  illustrates a lap belt engaging member. 
     In as much as the aims  70 ,  72 ,  80  and  84  can be identical or substantially similar, only the details of strap engaging member or arm  84  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the front view of the arm or projection  84  is shown. The illustrated arm  84  comprises a strip of looped or eye type fabric  150 , used in a hook and eye fastening system. The strip  150  is stitched or otherwise secured along an outer edge of the ear  108  of the arm  84 . The surface of ear  84  is covered with a webbing fabric  151  over which the strip  150  is positioned. A mesh material  153  extends from the side edge portion  58  of the cushion to the distal end  164  of the ear  84 . An elastic or resilient batting material, such as polyester, with batting having a thickness of ½ inch to one inch being one example, extends from the cushion  58  toward the distal end  164 . An axially extending seam  162  extends from the cushion edge portion to the distal end of the ear and anchors the batting in place and also partially secures an outer webbing layer  153 . First and second seams  165 ,  166  are positioned at a location spaced from the side edge  58  of the cushion and serve to anchor an end portion of the batting at this location. The seam  165  is angled from a location near the distal end of the neck  102  adjacent to a side edge of the ear  108  and toward a location where it intersects the seam  162 , this location being indicated at  171  in  FIG. 6 . Another seam  166  extends in a similar manner from a location near the distal end of the neck at the side edge of the ear  106  and toward the location  171 . The seams  165 ,  166  can be in a chevron type pattern. The side edges of the web  153  are also secured in place, such as by stitching. In addition, the peripheral edge of the arm can be enclosed by edging  164  to close the edges of the arm. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates the back side of the projection or arm  84 , one can see a strip of hook element containing material  152  of a hook and eye fastening system stitched or otherwise secured along the edge  106  of the ear  84 . The strip  152  engages the strip  150  when the lobes of the ear  106 ,  108  are folded over to thereby define the sleeve through which the lap belt strap, in this example, can pass. In  FIG. 7 , the number  108  indicates backing sheet material provided at the back of the arm. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a biasing element in the form of batting material  190  is shown. Such material can be used in combination with other biasing elements, such as the elastic strip  148 . The batting material again can comprise a resilient material, such as polyester, such as having a thickness of ½ inch to one inch. Alternatively, other elastic or stretchable materials can be used. The biasing element  190  is stitched, as indicated by stitching pattern  192 , to the side edge  158  of the cushion at the back side of the cushion. In  FIG. 8 , a portion of the back covering of the cushion has been separated from the cushion to show the components as well as batting  191  located inside the seat cushion.  FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view through the ear  84  and again shows the batting  190  that acts as a biasing element. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an end view through the neck of the seat belt strap engaging member  84  showing the biasing batting  190  with the central elongated stitching seam  190  visible in this figure. 
     Having illustrated and described the principles of this invention with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive principles described herein. It should also be understood that seat cushions in accordance with this disclosure can be used by individuals besides children, such as by disabled adults in wheelchairs. All such variations and modifications fall within the scope of this disclosure.