AU2019100300A4

AU2019100300A4 - Seat support

Info

Publication number: AU2019100300A4
Application number: AU2019100300A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Fiona MCKENZIE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-03-21
Filing date: 2019-03-21
Publication date: 2019-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-21

Abstract

Abstract A seat support 10 comprises a planar flexible body 12. The body 12 can be made from a single layer or multiple layer sheet material. The body 12 is dimensioned to substantially cover the seat base 102 and extend to the seat back 104b of the seat 100b in front, terminating at least to below the tray table 106. The seat support 10 comprises a first anchoring means 20 at the first end edge 13 and a second anchoring means 30 at the second end edge 14. The first anchoring means 20 is for attachment or anchoring to the lap seat belt 110 of the seat 100. The second anchoring means 30 is for attachment or anchoring to the attachment brackets of the tray table 106. The anchoring means 20 and 30 in use thus hold to the body 12 to extend from the seat base 102 to the seat back 104b of the seat 100b. 16 15 10 30 -3 31 2 3(a) Figure 1

Description

SEAT SUPPORT

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a seat support which is particularly useful for airplane seats. The invention is primarily directed for use by young children but is not limited to this use.

Background of the Invention [2] Airplane seats can be uncomfortable as they are typically narrow in width and are closely spaced for maximum airplane capacity, which leads to short legroom. Long flights can be particularly uncomfortable for young children.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a seat support comprising:

a planar body for extending between a seat base of a first seat and a seat back of a second seat in front of the first seat;

a first anchoring means at a first end of the body for anchoring to the first seat; and a second anchoring means at a second end of the body for anchoring to the second seat.

[6] In a preferred embodiment, the body is made from sheet textile material.

[7] In another preferred embodiment, the body is dimensioned to substantially cover the seat base and extend to the seat back of the second seat in front.

[8] In another preferred embodiment, the seat support is for use in an airplane and the first anchoring means is for attachment or anchoring to the lap seat belt of the first seat and the second anchoring means is for attachment or anchoring to the attachment brackets of a tray table of the second seat.

[9] In another preferred embodiment, a first half portion of the body covers the seat base and a second half portion of the body covers the leg space between the first and second seats.

[10] In another preferred embodiment, the first anchoring means comprises a loop adjacent the corners at the first end.

2019100300 21 Mar 2019 [11] In another preferred embodiment, the loops are formed by a strap attached adjacent the first end at spaced locations, forming the loops and a handle.

[12] In another preferred embodiment, the second anchoring means comprises attachment straps extending from each corner at the second end edge, the attachment straps comprise first attachment means at the distal ends thereof for attachment to corresponding second attachment means mounted to a middle portion at the second end.

[13] In another preferred embodiment, the first anchoring means are apertures formed in the body and the second anchoring means comprises straps with a buckle for adjustability.

[14] In another preferred embodiment, the seat support comprises a sleeping bag or blanket built-in or attachable to an upper surface of the body.

[15] In another preferred embodiment, a lower surface of the body is provided with an antislip material.

[16] In another preferred embodiment, the first anchoring means comprises clamps for attachment to the seat belt straps.

[17] In another preferred embodiment, the second anchoring means comprises hooks.

[18] In another preferred embodiment, the anchoring means are adjustable to tighten or loosen the tautness of the body in use.

[19] In another preferred embodiment, the body is provided with a built in pocket.

[20] In another preferred embodiment, the body is provided with side pockets along the side edges.

[21] The invention in another aspect provides a method of effectively extending a seat base of a seat beyond an edge thereof, the method comprising laying a sheet body along the seat base to extend past the seat base edge, and anchoring corners of the sheet body such that the sheet body effectively continues horizontally past the seat base edge.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [23] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[24] Figure 1 shows (a) top view and (b) bottom view of a seat support according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2019100300 21 Mar 2019 [25] Figure 2 shows a second end portion of the seat support with the second anchoring means in the open configuration;

[26] Figure 3 shows a first end portion of the seat support in use with the first anchoring means being attached to seatbelt straps;

[27] Figure 4 shows the second anchoring means at the second end portion of the seat support being attached to pivot brackets of the tray table where (a) shows an initial step and (b) shows a final step;

[28] Figure 5 shows the seat support in an example use where (a) shows an installed seat support and (b) shows a child user on the seat support; and [29] Figure 6 (a) shows a seat support according to another embodiment, (b) shows a first end of the seat support in use and (c) and (d) show the second end of the seat support.

Description of Embodiments [30] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[31] Referring to Figure 5, airplane seats 100 comprise a supported seat base 102 and a seat back 104. The seat back 104 is provided with a pivotable tray table 106 at its rear surface, the tray table 106 being movable from a stowed position to an extended position for use by the person at the seat behind. Most passengers thus have a tray table 106 from the seat 100b in front of them. The tray table 106 is supported by pivotable brackets to the seat back 104.

[32] Figures 1 to 5 show a seat support 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The seat support 10 comprises a planar flexible body 12 which in the embodiment is made from sheet textile material. The body 12 can be made from a single layer or multiple layer sheet material. The body 12 in the example is rectangular having a first end edge 13, a second end edge 14, side edges 15, upper surface 16, and lower surface 17.

[33] The body 12 is dimensioned to substantially cover the seat base 102 and extend to the seat back 104b of the seat 100b in front, terminating at least to below the tray table 106.

[34] The seat support 10 comprises a first anchoring means 20 at the first end edge 13 and a second anchoring means 30 at the second end edge 14. The first anchoring means 20 is for attachment or anchoring to the lap seat belt 110 of the seat 100. The second anchoring means 30 is for attachment or anchoring to the attachment brackets of the tray table 106. The anchoring means 20 and 30 in use thus hold to the body 12 to extend from the seat base 102 to the seat back 104b of the seat 100b. A first half portion 12a of the body 12 covers the seat base 102 and a second half portion 12b of the body 12 covers the leg space between the seats 100 and 100b and forms a leg rest for the child user.

2019100300 21 Mar 2019 [35] In this example, the first anchoring means comprises a loop 22 adjacent the corners at the first end edge 13. The loops 22 are formed by a strap 23 attached adjacent the first end edge 13 at spaced locations 24, forming the loops 22 and a handle 25.

[36] The second anchoring means 30 in the example comprises two attachment straps 31 extending from each corner at the second end edge 14. The attachment straps comprise hook fastener patches 32 at the enlarged distal ends thereof. The hook patches 32 are for attachment to a loop patch 33 mounted to a middle portion at the second end edge 14. In this manner, the straps 31 can be used to create attachment loops around the pivot brackets of the table tray 106.

[37] In use, referring to Figure 3, the first end edge 13 is disposed along the junction between the seat base 102 and the seat back 104. The lap sash seatbelt 110 of the seat 100 comprises a first strap 112 with the buckle and a second strap 113 with the tongue. The first and second straps 112 and 113 are inserted through the loops 22 to secure the first half portion 12a of the body 12 to the seat 100. The weight of the child user in use will also assist in keeping the first end portion in place. The first and second straps 112 and 113 can also be looped around the respective loops 22 for additional anchoring.

[38] Referring to Figure 4, the tray table 106 is extended and the two attachment straps 31 of the second anchoring means 30 are looped around the pivot brackets of the tray table 106 and secured, such that the second half portion 12b of the body 12 extends to the seat back 104b and covers the leg room in front of the seat 100.

[39] As shown in Figure 5, the seat support 10 thus effectively extends the seat base 102 and forms a leg rest for the child user. The seat support 10 is extended taut between the seats and is capable of supporting the lower body of a small child user. The provides the child user with a more comfortable seated position or a flat extended base for sleeping.

[40] The seat support 10 has been designed for toddlers 2-4 years old, with the intent that it will increase the chance of a pleasant flight for the child, parent and fellow passengers.

[41] The seat support 10 extends the seat base, spanning the leg well, creating a bed space for a small child while the tray table remains stowed. When the tray table is extended in use, the seat support 10 can catch any items that roll off the tray table [42] The seat support 10 is lightweight (less than 250gm), easy to set up and easy to disassemble when disembarking or in the event of an emergency, or to gain access to under seat storage.

[43] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiment shown.

2019100300 21 Mar 2019 [44] For example, Figure 6 shows a modified version seat support 10b, where the first anchoring means are apertures 22b formed in the body 12b, and the second anchoring means comprises straps 30b with a buckle for adjustability. The straps 30b include a quick release buckle and self-locking adjustable strap at the tray table end, and large button holes 22b for safety belt 110 to anchor at the seat end. Figures 6 (b) to (d) show mounting of the seat support 10b which is in a similar manner as the seat support 10.

[45] The seat support 10 can also be made with additional features such as a built-in or removable sleeping bag or blanket at the upper surface 16 to ensure covers do not slip off during flight for the child user. The lower surface 17 can also be provided with an anti-slip material or layer for additional anchoring and avoid slipping from position. The body 12 can also be padded. The first anchoring means can comprise clamps for attachment to the seat belt straps and the second anchoring means can comprise hooks. Both anchoring means can be made adjustable to tighten or loosen the tautness of the body 12.

[46] The body 12 can also be provided with side straps for adjusting its effective length. The body 12 can also be provided with a built in pocket or basket in the second half portion, or side pockets along the side edges 15.

[47] The body 12 can also be made from other material including rigid folded panel material or semi-rigid material.

[48] In another possible modification, the first half portion of the body 12 can be omitted such that the seat support body 12 extends from the free edge of the seat base to the seat back in front. The first anchoring means will still be needed in this modified embodiment.

[49] The seat support can also be used in other applications such as on buses, cars, trains, ferries, and other transport having rows of seats.

[50] As airline seats can dip from front to back several centimetres, the seat support can also include a self-inflating section of mattress which can reduce this angle and increase passenger comfort. The inflatable section can be similar to that of a camping mattress which deflates when rolled up.

Claims

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A seat support comprising:

a planar body for extending between a seat base of a first seat and a seat back of a second seat in front of the first seat;

a first anchoring means at a first end of the body for anchoring to the first seat; and a second anchoring means at a second end of the body for anchoring to the second seat.
2. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the body is made from sheet textile material.
3. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the body is dimensioned to substantially cover the seat base and extend to the seat back of the second seat in front.
4. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the seat support is for use in an airplane and the first anchoring means is for attachment or anchoring to the lap seat belt of the first seat and the second anchoring means is for attachment or anchoring to the attachment brackets of a tray table of the second seat.
5. The seat support of claim 1 wherein a first half portion of the body covers the seat base and a second half portion of the body covers the leg space between the first and second seats.
6. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the first anchoring means comprises a loop adjacent the corners at the first end.
7. The seat support of claim 6 wherein the loops are formed by a strap attached adjacent the first end at spaced locations, forming the loops and a handle.
8. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the second anchoring means comprises attachment straps extending from each corner at the second end edge, the attachment straps comprise first attachment means at the distal ends thereof for attachment to corresponding second attachment means mounted to a middle portion at the second end.
9. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the first anchoring means are apertures formed in the body and the second anchoring means comprises straps with a buckle for adjustability.
10. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the seat support comprises a sleeping bag or blanket built-in or attachable to an upper surface of the body.
11. The seat support of claim 1 wherein a lower surface of the body is provided with an antislip material.

2019100300 21 Mar 2019
12. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the first anchoring means comprises clamps for attachment to the seat belt straps.
13. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the second anchoring means comprises hooks.
14. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the anchoring means are adjustable to tighten or loosen the tautness ofthe body in use.
15. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a built in pocket.
16. The seat support of claim 1 wherein the body is provided with side pockets along the side edges.
17. A method of effectively extending a seat base of a seat beyond an edge thereof, the method comprising laying a sheet body along the seat base to extend past the seat base edge, and anchoring corners of the sheet body such that the sheet body effectively continues horizontally past the seat base edge.