AU2015101116B4

AU2015101116B4 - Heavy duty seat cover

Info

Publication number: AU2015101116B4
Application number: AU2015101116A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Sperling
Original assignee: Sperling Enterprises Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SPERLING ENTERPRISES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-17
Filing date: 2015-08-17
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-17
Also published as: AU2015101116A4

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a heavy duty seat cover 10 for application over a seat, the seat having one or more seat portions that face a user when seated in the seat. The seat cover 10 comprises one or more cover portions 12, 14 configured to cover at least one of the one or more seat portions, the one or more cover portions being made from a heavy duty fabric. An elastic panel 18 is connected to and extends from at least one of the one or more cover portions 12, 14 to cover a side portion of the seat and to hold the cover portion from which it extends snugly against the associated seat portion.

Description

"Heavy duty seat cover"

Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to a heavy duty seat cover. The seat cover has been developed primarily for use as an “aftermarket” accessory in commercial vehicles, such as lorries, semi-trailers, trains, pickups/utility vehicles, delivery vans, and the like, for installation over an original “factory” seat cover. However, it will be appreciated that the seat cover is not limited to this particular application and may also be used as an original “factory” seat cover or on seats other than those in commercial vehicles, such as on passenger vehicle seats, aircraft seats or on stools, such as laboratory stools.

Background [0002] Known seat covers are typically formed from knit fabric to provide elasticity and facilitate the seat covers being used on a range of different seat configurations. However, the knit fabric used in known seat covers is susceptible to wear, especially when used in commercial vehicles.

[0003] To improve wear performance, some commercial vehicle seat covers are formed from canvas. However, canvas is substantially inelastic, such that these seat covers have a fixed configuration and can only be used on a single configuration of seat.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0005] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Summary [0006] Broadly speaking, disclosed herein is a heavy duty seat cover for application over a seat, the seat having one or more seat portions that face a user when seated in the seat, the seat cover comprising: a first cover portion configured to cover a front surface of a seat back of the seat, the first cover portion being made from a heavy duty woven fabric that is substantially inelastic; a rear panel configured to cover a rear surface of the seat back, the rear panel being made from a heavy duty woven fabric that is substantially inelastic; an elastic panel connected to and extending between a first side of the first cover portion and a corresponding side of the rear cover portion, the elastic panel being formed from a fabric that is elastic along at least one axis, the elastic panel being configured to cover a side portion of the seat back and to hold the first cover portion from which it extends snugly against the seat back; and wherein the seat cover comprises an airbag deployment zone through which an airbag in the seat can deploy, the airbag deployment zone being associated with the elastic panel.

[0007] The heavy duty fabric of the first cover portion and/or the rear panel may have a weight of greater than 100 GSM, greater than around 150 GSM, greater than around 200 GSM, greater than around 250 GSM, or greater than around 300 GSM. The heavy duty fabric may comprise polyester. The heavy duty fabric may be substantially inelastic along both its length and width.

[0008] The fabric of the elastic panel may have a weight of greater than 100 GSM, greater than around 150 GSM, greater than around 200 GSM, greater than around 250 GSM, or greater than around 300 GSM. The fabric of the elastic panel may comprise polyester. The fabric of the elastic panel may be a knit fabric.

[0009] The heavy duty fabric may have a waterproof backing. The waterproof backing may have a weight of greater than around 50 GSM, greater than around 100 GSM, or of around 150 GSM. The waterproof backing may comprise polyvinylchloride (PVC). The waterproof backing may be fixed to the heavy duty fabric, such as by being thermally or adhesively bonded to the heavy duty fabric.

[0010] The seat cover may be a vehicle seat cover. First and second said elastic panels may extend between and be connected to respective first and second sides of the first cover portion and the rear panel. The first and second said elastic panels may take the form of side panels extending substantially the full length of the first cover portion to cover side portions of the seat back. In some embodiments, the rear panel is formed from a heavy duty fabric, which may be a heavy duty fabric having the same weight as the heavy duty fabric used for the first cover portion or may be the same heavy duty fabric, colour excepted, as the heavy duty fabric used for the first cover portion. At least one storage pocket may be provided on the rear panel. The at least one storage pocket may comprise a pocket formed from a heavy duty fabric, which may be a heavy duty fabric having the same weight as the heavy duty fabric used for the first cover portion or may be the same heavy duty fabric, colour excepted, as the heavy duty fabric used for the first cover portion. The at least one storage pocket may comprise a mesh storage pocket. A seam between the side panels and the first cover portion and/or between the side panels and the rear panel may have a zone of weakness to allow an airbag to deploy therethrough.

[0011] The seat cover may comprise a second cover portion configured to cover a top surface of a seat base (cushion). A skirt may be connected to and extend from the second cover portion to cover front and side portions of the seat base. In some embodiments, the skirt is formed from a heavy duty fabric, which may be a heavy duty fabric having the same weight as the heavy duty fabric used for the first cover portion or may be the same heavy duty fabric, colour excepted, as the heavy duty fabric used for the first cover portion. In other embodiments, the skirt is formed from a fabric that is elastic along at least one axis. In such embodiments, the fabric of the skirt may have the same weight as the fabric of the elastic panel or may be the same fabric, colour excepted, as the fabric of the elastic panel. The skirt may be configured to terminate at or adjacent a rear end of the seat base and a tie may be fastenable between terminal ends of the skirt to extend around the rear end of the seat, such that tightening of the tie secures the second cover portion to the seat base. The tie may comprise an adjustable strap, such as a webbing strap having a buckle or other fastener.

Brief Description of Drawings [0012] An embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a seat cover according to the present disclosure; and

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the seat cover of Fig. 1.

Description of Embodiments [0013] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a heavy duty seat cover 10. The seat cover 10 is for application over a vehicle seat comprising a base or cushion and a back or squab. The seat cover 10 comprises a first cover portion 12 configured to cover a front surface of the seat back and a second cover portion 14 configured to cover a top surface of the seat base, the first and second portions being interconnected. A rear panel 16 of the seat cover is configured to cover a rear surface of the seat back, and first and second elastic portions, in the form of side panels 18, extend between and are connected to respective first 12a, 16a and second 12b, 16b sides of the first cover portion 12 and the rear panel 16. The side panels 18 extend substantially the full length of the first cover portion 12 to cover side portions of the seat back. The side panels 18 are formed from a fabric that is elastic along an axis extending between the first cover portion 12 and the rear panel 16, such that the side panels 18 draw the cover portion 12 snugly against the seat back.

[0014] A skirt 20 is connected to and extends from the second cover portion 14 to cover front and side portions of the seat base. The skirt 20 is configured to terminate at or adjacent a rear end of the seat base. A tie, in the form of an adjustable webbing strap having a buckle, extends between anchor points 20a, 20b at the terminal ends of the skirt and the lower end of the first cover portion 12. The tie is passed around the rear of the seat base and fastened using the buckle to secure the second cover portion 14 to the seat base and draw the lower end of the portion neatly into the comer defined between the seat back and seat base.

[0015] The fabric used in the first and second cover portions 12, 14, the rear panel 16 and the skirt 20 is a heavy duty fabric, being a woven polyester having a weight of around 320 GSM. Being woven, the fabric is substantially inelastic along both its length and width. A waterproof backing of PVC having a weight of around 150 GSM is provided on the fabric. In the illustrated embodiment, the PVC backing is thermally bonded to the fabric. However, in other embodiments, the backing may be fixed to the fabric by other means, such as using an adhesive.

[0016] The fabric used in the side panels 18 is also a heavy duty fabric, being a knit polyester having a weight of 332 GSM.

[0017] Two storage pockets 24, 26 are provided on the rear panel 16. Storage pocket 24 is formed from the same heavy duty fabric as the rear panel 16 and storage pocket 26 is formed from a mesh.

[0018] A seam between the side panels 18 and the first cover portion 12 and/or between the side panels 18 and the rear panel 16 has a zone of weakness to allow an airbag to deploy therethrough.

[0019] It will be appreciated that the illustrated seat cover 10 is well suited for use on seats in commercial vehicles and other seats subject to high wear, since the fabrics used in the seat have a high weight provides the seat with good wear characteristics. Moreover, the knit construction of the side panels 18 provides the seat cover 10 with sufficient adjustability to facilitate its use on a variety of differently sized seat backs, whilst the high weight of the fabric used in the side panels 18 provides good wear characteristics. By using the same fabric for the first cover portion 12 and the rear panel 16, the seat cover 10 is provided with an aesthetically pleasing “tailored” appearance. The waterproof PVC backing for the fabric used in the cover portions 12, 14, rear panel 16 and skirt 20 also advantageously protects the underlying seat from water damage and stains.

[0020] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible variations and/or modifications include, but are not limited to: • forming the rear panel 16 from a different fabric, such as from a knit polyester having a conventional weight of 75 to 100 GSM or a knit polyester having a high weight, such as by forming the rear panel 16 from the same material as the side panels 18; • forming the skirt 20 from a different fabric, such as from a knit polyester having a conventional weight of 75 to 100 GSM or a knit polyester having a high weight, such as by forming the rear panel 16 from the same material as the side panels 18; and/or • the first and second cover portions 12, 14 not being connected together.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A heavy duty seat cover for application over a seat, the seat having one or more seat portions that face a user when seated in the seat, the seat cover comprising: a first cover portion configured to cover a front surface of a seat back of the seat, the first cover portion being made from a heavy duty woven fabric that is substantially inelastic; a rear panel configured to cover a rear surface of the seat back, the rear panel being made from a heavy duty woven fabric that is substantially inelastic; an elastic panel connected to and extending between a first side of the first cover portion and a corresponding side of the rear cover portion, the elastic panel being formed from a fabric that is elastic along at least one axis, the elastic panel being configured to cover a side portion of the seat back and to hold the first cover portion from which it extends snugly against the seat back; and an airbag deployment zone through which an airbag in the seat can deploy, the airbag deployment zone being associated with the elastic panel.
2. The seat cover of claim 1, wherein at least the heavy duty fabric of the first cover portion has a weight of greater than 100 GSM, greater than around 150 GSM, or greater than around 200 GSM.
3. The seat cover of claim 1, wherein at least the heavy duty fabric of the first cover portion has a weight of greater than around 250 GSM, or greater than around 300 GSM.
4. The seat cover of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heavy duty fabric of the first cover portion is canvas.
5. The seat cover of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fabric of the elastic panel is a knit fabric.