CA2092487A1

CA2092487A1 - Seat cover made from a double-layered piece of plastic foil for protecting a motor vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: CA2092487A1
Application number: CA002092487A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jorg Horn
Original assignee: Horn and Bauer GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Horn and Bauer GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1992-03-28
Filing date: 1993-03-25
Publication date: 1993-09-29
Also published as: ATE138327T1; EP0564872A3; EP0564872B1; EP0564872A2; MX9301711A; CZ48793A3; JPH067231A; ES2089616T3; DE59302647D1

Abstract

S u m m a r y A seat cover (1) for protecting a motor vehicle seat essentially consists of a double-layered part made from plastic foil having a continuous front layer (2) to protect the seat surface and the backrest surface of the seat, and a rear layer (3) connected to the front layer by means of transverse welded seaming, whereby said rear layer forms, in conjunction with the front layer, a first pocket (17) enclosing at least part of the backrest of the seat and, if required, a second pocket (18) enclosing at least part of the seat cushion. The front layer (2) has a means of fastening and insertion (20) for clamping in the area of the gap (13) between backrest (11) and seat cushion (12).

(Figure 2)

Description

~0~2~7 Applican~: Horn ~ Bauer Gmb~ & Co. KG, Industriegebiet Treysa Nord, 3578 Schwalmstadt Seat cover made ~rom a double-layered piec-e of plastic ~oil for protecting a motor vahicle seat The invention refers to a seat cover made from a double-layered piece o~ plastic foil for protecting a motor vehicle seat, in particlar for the initlal (original) fitting-out, having a continuous front layer to protect the seat surface and the backxest surface of the seat, and a rear layer connected to the front layer by means of~transverse welded seaming, whereby said rear layer ~orms, in conjunction with the front layer, a first pocket enclosing at least part of the backrest of the seat and, i~ required, a second pocket enclosing at least part of the seat cushion. The second pocket can also be omitted entirely or be replaced by an extended front layer. The seat cover can also be employed -once or ev~n several times - in motor vehicle worXshops during~repair ~ork, servicing or similar. ~he invsntion also demonstrates a method for the manufacture of such seat :
covers from~ plastic foil.

Seat covers made from plastic foil are slipped or, respectively, pulled over motor vehicle seats in order to prevent the motor vehicle seat being made dirty by mechanics or other pcrsons. Such seat covers are known from their application in car workshops when vehicles are undergoing service or repair. However, the vehicle's seats are also already exposed to the risk o~ becoming dirty during the 2~92~7 ini~ial fitting-out of a vehicle, i.e. in the car plant during assen~ly of the vehicle. In fact, ~his ris~ of becoming dirty begins with the manufacturer of the vehicle seats and upon delivery o~ the seats to the car plant. This risk continues during as the seats are placed on the conveyor installation which transports the vehicle seats to the assembly line of the car plant. In add:Ltion, the vehicle seats must be built into the car body. A succession of many workers comes in contact with ~he vehicle~s seats during the assembly of further parts of the vehicle. Finally, the finished vehicle must be driven off the conveyor belt and onto a road or rail transporter, and then handled again at the vehicle dealer until, eventually, it can be delivered into the hands of ~he purchaser or customer respectively. As the weight of the vehicle seat increases, especially through the inclusion of adjustment motors and other elements, it is becoming more and more troublesome ~or the workers to install the vehicle seats in the vehicle body manually.
Assembly by robots on the assembly line offers itself here.
~ robot employed in a trial has a projecting plate with which it reaches into the gap between backrest and seat cushion, with the seat set down in the normal position, and then swings the seat - usually in pairs - into the body and positions it there. Following this, the projecting plate is withdrawn from the gap between backre~t and seat cushion.
Using conventional seat covers the projec~ing plate would slit open the front layer of ~he seat cover upon entering the qa~, there~y impairing the protective function of the seat cover. Therefore, an attempt has been made to solve this problem by separating the pocket surrounding the seat cushion from the seat cushion and now engaging the robot's projecting plate underneath the foil of the seat cover in the gap between backrest and seat cushion. However~ in doing this there is a risk that the vehicle seat is made dirty by the projecting plate itself. Even if this is not khe case, extra work i5 involved in separating the seat cover ~xom 2~92~7 this in the area of the seat cushion and pulling on the seat cover with its pocket on the seat cushion again after installation of the vehicle seat in the body. Another disadvantage is that the sea~ cushion is unprotected during the installation of the seat in the body.

From the manufacture of the seat by the subcontractor up to the delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser or customer, the vehicle seats come in contact, approximately 30 to 35 tLmes, with assembly line workers and other persons so that there is a considerable risk of becoming dirty here. In order to counteract this risk of becom~ng dirty, the aforementioned sea~ covers made from plastic foil are known which are slipped over the vehicle seats, especially the driver's sea-~, often straight away by the seat manufacturer, but at the latest by the vehicle manufacturer, and are then not removed until the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Such seat covers for the initial fitting-out are not usually very different to those which are used duxing the servicing or repair of a vehicle. They can be manufactured from a comparatively thicker plastic foil, which is justified owing to the greater demands ~o which they are subjected.

A seat cover of the aforementioned type is known from DE-B 16 30 878. During the manufacture, a tube of plastic foil is cut open by means of a longitudinal cut. The two edges thus created are separated from each other and laidS folded flat, on the remaining ma~erial of the tube, whereby mainly, a double-layer width is formed, lying flat, in which the plastic foil is turn d over in the are of the two free cd~c3 lcf ~ and right. The turned-over seciions, wnich form, so to speak, a rear layer, are joined to the front layer for each seat cover by means of a transverse welded seam, once per seat cover, transverse to the direction of conveyance of the foil width during the manufacture of the seat covers.
This leads to ~he formation of two pocke~s which have, as a 2 ~

rule, differing depth dimensions, whereby one pocket is destined to enclose the backrest of the veh:icle seat and the other pocket to enclose or surround respect:ively the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The continuous side of the tube or the seat cover respectively is designated the front layer because i~ is located at the fron~ when the seat cover has been slipped over cne seat and hence touches the seat surface of the seat cushion and the backrest surface of the backrest. The other layer of the seat cover is deignated ~he rear layer because it lies behind the backrest or under the seat cushion respectively when the seat cover has been installed and hence faces backwards. Such known seat covers surround the vehicle seat more or less loosely. This leads to the risk that such a known seat cover slips while in use so that a large or small unprotected areas can occur in the transition between seat cushion and backrest which are then not protected ayainst dirt. If vehicle seats are fed ~o the vehicle assembly line hanging on a conveyor belt with the backrest down, there is also the undesirable risk that the seat covers become detached from the vehicle seat and fall off. Again, they then no longer fulfill their protective function. In order to counteract this risk it is known to use a rubber band, a special part of the seat cover, which, as a closed loop, is arranged in such a way over the backrest after the seat cover has been slipped over that it lies on the transition area between seat cushion and backrest. This measure prevents a seat cover from unintentionally falling off a vehicle seat being conveyed in a hanging position~ At the same time, the front layer of the seat cover is fixed by the rubber band in the transition area between seat cushion and backrest so that the risk o~
slipping is counteracted. However, the use of such rubber bands in addition to the seat covers is expensive and does not overcome all the risks of the seat becoming dirty. When using robots with a projecting plate in the assembly, the front layer of the seat cover is severed so that, at least 2 ~

as a result of this severing, it can no longer fulfill its protective function in an optimum mannPr.

Instead of the additional usage of rubb~r bands, it is also kno~n to weld on two foil strips, roughly in the centre section of the free edge of the pocket, which surround the backrest. These two foil strips are wo~nd 4cn;Ja-As O'V-G' ~L~ô
sea~ ~d tled tosQ~hQr _here, in the ma..r.Or of J~-yi~ ..e strings of an apron, after the seat cover has been slipped over so that the front layer of the sea$ cover is tightly fastened in the transition area between seat cushion and backrest. The manufacture of these extra foil strips and, in particular, welding them on is expensive, rQ~ire~ z..
additional ~ying procedure after slipping o~er the seat cover and~ furthOrmore, is only partly effective against the risk of the seats becoming dirty. In the case of robot assembly, such foil strips are insignificant, i.e. they too do not solve this problem, in fact they tend to be a nuisance.

It is also known to shrink-wrap the seat cushion on the one hand and the backrest on the other each in a piece of shrink wrapping already at the vehicle seat manufacturer's works and to first bring the seat cushion and the backrest together afterwards when the seat is installed. These two pieces of shrink wrapping then remain on the vehicle seat and protect this during its entire path from the car manufacturer up to delivery of the vehicle to the buyer or customer. Howsver, the shrinking-on means a considerable additional e~pense here, also appropriate shrinking facilities. Such a vehicle seat can indeed be handled or installed respectively with the aid of a robot and a projecting plate. However, it only affords partial protection owing to the interrupted front layer.
Furthermore, the risk of condensation from water or solvent vapours is a disadvantage; it can lead to stains or colour changes on the seat. Removing the shrink wrapping is costly.

It is the object of the invention to create a seat cover made from plastic foil which i5, in particular, suitable for the initial fitting-out, can be machine-macle/ can be attached already by the seat manufacturer aLnd protects the seat effectively until the vehicle is delivered to the buyer, and indeed even during the installat:ion of the seat in the body by means of a robot with projecting plate or manually.

According to the inventionj this is achieved in that the front layer has a means of fastening and insertion fcr clamping in the area of the gap between backrest and seat cushion. Therefore, a third means of fastening is created besides the two pockets, which acts in conjunction with the two pockets and renders possible a reliable positioning of the seat cover on the vehicle seat so that a vehicle seat provided with such a seat cover can also be transported hanging upside-down on a means of sonveyance without there being a risk o~ the seat cover falling off. The means of fastening and insertion can be provided in the form of a fastening fold or a fastening tongue; it can, therefore, be designed as a double or single layer and its length must in any case be so dimensioned that it can be anchored in the gap between seat cushion and backrest. The means of fastening and insertion enables the appropriate part of the front layer to be pushed into the gap between seat cushion and backrest, whereby several functions and advantages are achieved at the ~ame time. The means of fastening and insertion serves, in the first place, for fixing the seat cover in the area of the gap sv that a vehicle seat equipped in such a way can be transported hanging upside-down on a conveyer belt without there being a risk of the seat cover falling off the vehicle seat. The means of fastening and insertion for the seat cover is clamped in position by 2 ~

tension which i5 normally present between the backrest and the seat cushion, something which, in this respeck, not on~y has the advantageous sffect that the section of the front layer which surrounds the backrest and the sec~ion o~ the ~ront layer surrounding the seat cushion are both fitted more tautly and are held more tightly on the vehicle seat but also results in the extra advantage that the risk of slipping is considerably reduced, particularly in the area of the gap, so that virtually no unprotected surface areas can ensue. ~urthermore, a vehicle seat fitted with this seat (protective) cover can also be employed for robot assembly with a projecting plate, in fact without the front laver beins severed. The means o~ fastening and insertion is usefully already inserted into the gap between seat cushion and backrest by the seat manufacturerl where~y this insertion, as a rule, refers to the centre section of the gap. The seat cover is thus fastened additionally on the vehicle seat and the insertion of the robot's projecting plate on the assembly line does not lead to any alteration in the positioning of the s at cover on the vehicle seat.

In a first substantial embodiment version, the front layer of the seat cover can have a width corresponding to the length of the backrest and the seat cushion plus approximately twice the depth of the gap between seat cushion and backrest, and the means of fastening and insertion of the seat cover can be designed as a fastening and insertion tongue in the area of the gap between seat cushion and backrest. The length of the backrest and the length of the seat cushion is understood to be the lengths of these parts which correspond to the length in each case covexed by the front layer when the seat cover has been slipped over. I~ the vehicle seat is already ~itted with headrests and these headrests are also to be enclosed and protected by the pocket which is provided for the backrest, then the appropriake length of the headrests musk also be 2 ~

taken into account. It is important with this embodiment example that the front layer of the seat cover is made longer than it has been up to now so that the front layer does not simply kink ~buckle) at the transition between the surface of the bac~rest and the usable seating surface of the seat cushion but, on the contrary, makes additional plastic foil available here b~ forming the fastening and insert fold. The extra length of the front layer must not necessarily correspond to approximately twice the depth of tne gap between backrest and seat cushion, but rather can also be made shor-ter; however, extra length is important so that the fasten-ng and insert fold formQd by ~h 5 iS firmly clamped in the g2p. Thls seat too can be installed with a projecting plate or manually. The seat cover also remains undamaged, i.e. it is not punctured and not broken open, so that ob~ects which fall into the gap during the further assembly of the vehicle are also collected iLn the fastening and insert fold and inevitably removed along with the seat cover prior to the vehicle being handed over to the customer. However, the seat cover can al50 be used to advantage when the vehicle seat is built into the body manually. The fastening and insert fold can be inserted into the gap between backrest and seat cushion and anchorad there by the seat manufacturer, either manually or also already with the aid of a tool having a projecting plate. If the front layer of the seat cover is formed from a continuous piece of foil, the advantage is gained that the fastening and insert fold formed in the base of the pocket has no welded seam, thus avoiding a possible weak point. The fastening and insert fold can be provided uninterrupted over the length of the gap between backrest and seat cushion or, however, only cover a part of this stretch, whereby the centre section of this gap is significant in this respect.
However, it is also possible, despite a continuous fastening and insert fold, to only insert the centre section of this fold into the gap, whereby the edge areas move into an 2~92d~

inermediate position by forming folds.

The fastening and insert fold can be closed like a pocket by transverse welded seaming on both sides. A spot-type welding is, generally speaking, not advisable, but nonetheless possible. The formation of a closed pocket is advantageous, i.e. a pocket which i~ closed at the sides, so that the fastening and insert fold is already preformed or prestabilized respectively by this and, on the other hancl, the insertion of the projecting plate from the on~n ~ f the pocket is possible at all times. The plastic foil OI the fron~ l ?~,~er ~n the edges of the seat cover ~t the h~Ce of the angle formed between the surface of the backrest and tne usable surface of the seat cushion is joined together directly by the transverse welded seaming so that an aliqning and tightening effect takes place here on the seat cover upon slipping it over the vehicle seat and during its servicable life, meaning that the risk of the creation of an unprotected surface area through slipping off is count~racted.

The fastening and insert fold can be closed like a pocket by diagonal welded seaming on both sides. This does create waste during the manufacture of the seat covers. Ho~e~er, this waste can be recycled and the fastening and insert fold is better produced in the form of the pocket pene~rating into the gap throu~h the two diagonal welded seams. Anyway, as the pro~ecting plate of the robo~ only catches hold of the centre section of the gap, this shape is in no way a disadvantaqe; on the contrary it tends to be advantageous because an accumulation of folds of material in the end areas of the gap between backrest and seat cushion is avoided by this.

Finally, it i9 also possible to close the fastening and insert fold like a pocket by means of a profiled welded seam 2 ~ & ~

leading in the direction of the gap t whereby the width of the pocket formed in this way covers the centre section of the gap or the pockets formed in this way cover the two outer areas of the gap. The particular advantage with this is that the front layer is not only joined together exactly on the edge of the seat cover, like when using a transverse welded seam, but rather the edge areas are joined togethex here, just with the exception o~ the centre section in which the pocket matching the width of the projecting plate i9 located. ~ith this fonm, tha seat cover gains the advantage of an essentially smooth seating, not spoilt by the occurence ^f fslds on the vehicle sea'. This has technical advantages _nd is arrealing from an aesthetic aspect. The fastening and insert fold must not necessarily ~inish flush with the rear-facing surface of the backrest; on the contrary, this fold may be designed with a greater or lesser depth, whereby the only thing that i9 important is that the narrowest section of the gap between ~ackrest and seat cushion is penetrated upon inserting the fastening and insert fold. It is obvious that the length or the width respectively of this fold must also be matched to the corresponding dimension of the projecting plate and the course of its penetration path into the gap. A slight stretching effect on the plastic foil of the front layer is in no way damaging here but rather, can be advantageously e~ploited in order to achieve a tight fittinq of the seat cover. Only the breaking open of the plastic foil with the projecting plate must be avoided. ~hen the two pockets are formed, a double fi~ing is obtained, exactly in the critical outer areas.

A second series of embodiment versions is characterized in that ~he means of fastening and insertion is provided as a ~in~le layer, i.e. as a fastening and insert tonque. Here, the means of fastening and insertion of the seat cover is formed as a fastening and insert tongue in the area of the gap between backrest and seat cushion, whereby the width of said fastening and insert tongue corresponcls approximately to the depth of the gap. Also important here is an extra length of front layer matched to the seal or an extension piece, also matched to the seat, which i~ -joined to the front layer and also has a length such that it can be firmly cl~mped in the gap be~ween ~ackrest and seat cushion. It is also possible to provide two extension pieces so that an open pocket is created, so to speak. The seat cover is designed with a fasten-ng and insert tongue which is arranged there, roughly în the centre sect:ion of said seat cover, where the gap between backrest and seat cushion results in the posit- on, elirr~d CV~ the vQhicl Q a~t ~ It ls also possible to provide two fastening and insert tongues in the outer arPas. The fastening and insert tongue can be inserted into the gap in every case so that it is figed and held by the tension of the backrest against the seat cushion. The width of the fastening and insert tongue, i.e.
considered transverse to the running direction of an endless strip from which such~seat covers are manufactured, must be roughly matched to the gap in such a way that the fastening and insert tongue has a width at-least able to reach the narrowest poin~ of the gap so that the tongue is fixed at this point. The fastening and insert tongue performs two functions here. Firstly, it serves to anchor the seat cover on the vehicle seat so that there is no risk that the seat cover independently detaches from the vehicle seat and falls off, even with conveyance of the vehicle seat hanging in an upside-dowh position on a conveyor device. Secondly, the front layer of the seat cover is pulled tight by the clamping of the fastening and insert tongue between backrest and seat cushion so that the seat cover fits tightly on the vehi¢le seat, essentially free from folds ~wrinkles). In the simplest embodiment version, the front layer can he provided as a closed, continuous width which is also penetrated upon inserting the fastening and insert tongue into the gap 2~924:~r~

manually or when using a projecting plate or similar tool.
However, the front layer can also have a perforation, a notch, a cutout or a free edge in the area between the fastening and insert tongue so that the opening for the entry of the fastening and insert tongue is already preformed, thereby allowing the insertion of the fastening and insert tongua into the gap to be performed more easily.
The seat cover permits the handling of the vehicle seat, with the seat cover slipped over it, both mcmually and by machine, for example, with the aid of a robot which has a projecting plate on an arm. Although the front layer of the seat cover is either broken open or has a preformed ODening~
this opening ~s only a disad~ant2ge in SGme ingtclnCeS . The material of the front layer and the fastening and insert tongue is pressed together by-the tension normally present between the backrest and the seat cushion so that the ~ron~
layer can fulfill its protective function.

The front layer can, on its rear side, be secured against slipping in that it exhibits a higher coefficient of friction on its rear side than on its front side. In contrast to this, the front side o~ the front layer is deisgned to be smooth. This allows the worker to move freely on the seat cover slipped over the vehicle seat without there being a risk of the seat cover slipping off. At the same time, this en ures that the fastening and insert tongue is also reliably amd firmly held in the gap. The handling of the seat with the projecting plate by means of a robot benefits from this because the projec~ing plate effectively only makes contact with the smooth side of the front layer so that when the projecting plate is withdrawn from the gap, this does not lead to the fastening and insert tongue being detached at the same time. ~he different ~orms of the two sides of the front layer, with respect to the coefficient of friction, can be realized through a coextruded foil, a coated or lc~minated foil or similar. The specialist o~fers 2 ~

several possibilities here.
. . .
The front layer can possess a somewhat greater width than that which corresponds to the sum of the lengths of the backrest and the seat cushion. This dimension is advisable so~that not only the fastening and insert tongue is anchored in the gap betweOn backrest arlA seal cusnion, DUt also a part of the front layer. Upon inser~ing the fastening and insert tongue in the gap, this area of the front layer i9 also transferred into ths gap and anchorQd there.
-The front layer can be assembled from two foil sheets whichar2 arrangOd wi~h an ovOriap in ordOr io form Ine fastening and insert tongue, and are joined together in the area not covered by the fastening and insert tongue. ~he preformed opening for inserting the fastening and insert tongue into the gap results from the missing join in the centre section.
The adjacent connecting sections-~o the side are advantageous inasmuch as th.e ~:7e r '' eces of sheet foil, which together form the front,layer of the seat cover, support each other and line up against each other there. This improves the fitting of the seat cover on the vehicle seat.

The fastening and insert tongue can have a flap-type form and can be welded on the edges in order to form a pivoting axis with the front layer. The welding can be carried out as spot or seam welding. It is obvious that the welded seaming is provided in the edge area of the fastening and insert tongue which faces the backrest when the seat cover is placed over.

The fastening and insert tongue can be joined to the front layer on the front side facing away from the backrest. Thus the fastening and insert tongue is passed through the front layer from the front to the back when it is inserted into the gap. Basically, a reversed arrangement would also be .. ..

2~2~7 18 ~

possible, i.e. anchoring of the fastening and insert tongue on the rear side of the front layer.

The front layer of the seat cover can have a higher coefficient of friction on its rear side than on its front side. Consequently~ the width of plastic forming the front layer and/or the width forming the rear 1a~Gr Can ba designed against slipping, while in contrast it is useful to design the front side of the front layer as smooth.
Therefore, the worker can move freely on the seat co~rer slipp~d over the vehicle se~t ~ 077~ ~hD - ~ h~ing ~ ' Gf the seat cover slipping off. Handling with the projecting plate also benefits from this in that the fastening and insert tongue is held in the gap after it is introduced, while the projecting plate can be easily inserted and withdrawn from the gap again without pulling the fastening and insert tongue out from the gap again in doing so The differing construction of`the two sides of the front layer with respect to the coefficien~s of friction can be realized through a coe~trud~d foil, a coated or laminated foil or similarO ~he specialist offers several possibilities here.
.
A method of manufacturing seat covers for protecting vehicle seats i~ based on plastic foil in the form of a tube which has been slit, whereby the widths forming the front layer and the rear layer are formed and the two widths for ea~h seat cover are joined together by mean~ of transverse welded seaming. In doing this, the width of plastic foil forming the front layer is also folded longitudinally and is closed like a pocket to form the means of fastening and insertion by spot or seam welding. This can also be achieved through transverse welded seaming, diagonal welded seaming or profiled welded seaming. The starting point for the width of the seat covers here are two sheets of foil which are prepared inasmuch as one foil sheet has the pocket destined to take the backrest and the other foil sheet carries the 2~92~

pocket destined to take the saat cushion~

If performing profiled welded seaming, it i3 advisable to design the fas~ening and insert tongue or fold as a pocket in the centre saction of the gap between backrest and seat cushion, and to join the front layer together in the areas adjacent the pocket. With all the production methods demonstrated it i9 possible to manufacture the seat covers piece by piece, i.e. to separate them into individual pieces and pre~ent them in a stack, for example. On the other hand, it is possible to leave the seat ccver3 joined ~oge~her via perforations and to wind these up into a supply roll from which the seat covers czn be ! o ~ r - nd- v- dual i ~ T_ U~ - ,g the supply roll it i5 advisable to fold over the means of fastening and insertion in the direction of the pockets for the backrest and the seat cushion before they winding up to form a supply roll is carried out. In doing this, more or less continuous four-layer sections ensue over the width of the supply roll so that the supply roll takes on a cylindrical shape and a conical form is avoided.

The invention will be further explained and described by means of preferred embodLm~nt examples and methods of production. Tha drawings show:
igure 1 a plan view of the front layer of a seat cover, lying fl~t, Figure 2 a section along the line II-II in Figure 2, igure 3 a side view of a motor vehicle seat with the seat cover according to Figure 1 slipped over it, Figure 4 a plan view of the front layer of a seat covar ~92~
-- ~o --in a second embodiment version, lying flat, Figure S a Qection along the line V-V in Figure 4, Figure 6 a pl~n ~iew of a seat cover in a further embodiment version, lying flat, Figure 7 a further embodiment version of the seat cover, : in plan view, Figure 8 a further embodiment version of the seat cover, in plan view, Figure 9 a section along the line IX-IX in Figure 8, Figure 10 the illustration of a first procedure step in ; the manufacture of a seat cov~r out of two foil sheets, ~: Figure 11 the illustration of further procedure steps subsequent to~Figure 10, Figure 12 initial procedure steps of a further production method, : Figure 13 subsequent procedure steps, :~ Figure:14 further procedure steps sf the method of production according to the Figures 12 to 14, Figure 15 the illustration of a production method in cross-sections in which a split tube is employed, Figure 16 a plan view of a further embodiment version o~

- 212-~9~'$37 the seat cover, igure 17 a plan view of the ~ron~ layer of a seat cover in a first embodimen~ version, :lying fla~, igure 18 a section along the line ~VII-XVII in Figure 17, igure 19 a plan view of the front layer of a seat cover in a second embodiment version, lying flat, igure 20 a section along the line XX-XX in Figure 19, igure 21 a plan view of a seat cover in a fuxther embodiment verslon, lying fla~, igure 22 a section along the line XXII-XXII in Figure 21, . igure 23 a plan view of a final embodiment version of the seat cover, and Figure 24 a section along the line XXIV-XXIV in Figure 23.

The seat cover 1 illustrated in the lying flat condition in Figure 1 consists in some sections of a double layer of plastic foil, while other sections consist of a single layer, sa can be easily recognized ~y means of Figure 2. A
front layer 2 and a rear layer 3 are formed, whereby the front layer 2 covers the resting surface of the backrest and the usable seating area of the seat cushion, while the rear layer 3 covers or encloses respectively the rear side of the backrest and the underside or the side areas respectively of the seat cushion in the two areas. Front layer 2 and rear layer 3 form an assembled piece of plastic foil material which might be prepared from one continuous piece of 2 ~

material, for exa~ple, in the form of a split tube, or from several pieces of material in the form of flat sheets, or similar. ~he front layer 2 and the rear layer 3 can be joined via a longitudinal fold 4 which can also be realized as a longitudinal welded seam. On the other longitudinal side, the front layer 2 and the rear layer 1 are joined together via a longitudinal welded seam 5 which can also be realized as a longitudinal fold. However, besides in the srea of the longitudinal fold 4 and the longitudinal welded seam S, tha front layer 2 is also joined ~o the rear layer 3 via two transverse welded seams 6 and 7, whereby, as can be seen from Figure 1, the ~wo transverse welded seams 6 and 7 each fall into two parts. The designations longitudinal alld transverse are chosan with respect to a conveying direction according to arrow 8, i.e. in a direction in which an endless strip, here in the form of a split tube, is processed during the manufacture of lndividual seat covers.
The term longitudinal is used in directions parallel to arrow 8 and the term ~ransverse is used in directions perpendicular to said arrow, i.e. the longitudinal fold 4 an the transverse welded seam 6 respectively. Related to the vehicle seat, it is more illustrative when the directions longitudinal and transverse are changed.
.
Consequently, the front layer 2 ha~ a width 9 which extends fr~m the longitudinal fold 4 to the longitudinal welded seam 5. The motor vehicle seat 10 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3 has a backrest 11 and a seat cushion 12. Between backrest 11 and seat cushion 12 there is a gap 13, whose depth 14 is given in Figure 3 and might correspond approximately to the thickness of the backrest 11 or the overlapping area between the thickness of the backrest 11 and the non-usable part of the seat cushion 12. The backrest 11 has a length 15 which starts, in the form of an arc, from the longitudinal fold 4 in the upper section and extends more or less straight onto the gap 13 in the lower section.

2~2~7 This is the length of the backrest 11 surface which must be covered by the appropriate part of the front layer 2. The seat cushion 12 has a usable length 16 which begin~ at the start of the gap 13, at first more or les~ straight and then extending in the form of an arc bending down to the longitudinal welded seam 5. As can be seen from looking at Figures 2 and 3 together, the width 9 of fronk layer 2 corresponds to the sum of the length 15 o~ backrest 11, twice the depth 14 of gap 13 plus the length 16 of seat cushion 12. Hence, front layer 2 has a greater width 9 in comparison to seat covers according to the state-of-the-art because all seat covers up to now were designed in such a WGY ~hat the two lengths 15 and 16 directly adjoined each oth~r at the transition or beginning respectively of the gap 13.

The front layer 2 forms a first pocket 17 together with the rear layer 3 ak the end of the longitudinal fold 4 and a second pocket 18 in the area adjoining the longitudinal welded seam 5. The pockets 17 and 18 are closed at the sides by means of transverse welded seam~ 6 and 7 and only open in the centre section so that it is possible to slip the seat cover 1 on with the pocket 17 over the backrest 11 and the pocket 18 over areas of the seat cushion 12, in the manner shown in Figure 3. After such a slipping-on procedure, the material sections of the plastic foil which form the front layer 2 are located in a more or less gathered or folded (wrinkled) form outside the gap 13, roughly on the usable surface of the seat cushion 12. Using a projecting plate 19, provided on a robot arm only indicated here~ the material section of the front layer 2, whlch corresponds to twice the depth 14 of the gap 13, is insertad into the gap 13, as Figure 3 shows in an idealized representation. Here, a fastening and insert fold 20 is formed or, respectively, the width 9 of front layer 2 is dimensioned is such a way that it suffices for forming this fastening and insert fold 20.

2~2~

Therefore, front layer 2 has an intrinsic fastening and insert fold 20, in fact according t~o the simplest embodiment ver~ion of the seat cover 1, as is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. It is obvious that upon insetting the fastening and insert fold 20 into the gap 13 on the seat, the projecting plate 19 is inserted from the front into the gap 13. It is also possible to introduce the fastening and insert fold 20 manually into the gap 13, whereby a centre section 21 is particularly important here, as can be seen in Figure 1 by means of a dotted line. It is of course also possible with the embodiment version of Figures 1 to 3, to carefully slide the fastening and insert fold 20 over the whole width of ~he vehicle seat. Generally speaking, this i~, however, not necessary and it is sufficient to do this in the centre section 21. In the centre section 21, which can e~tend over approx. 1/3 to 2/3 of the full width of the vehicle seat, the gap 13 has a more or less straight-line shape so that the proiecting plate 19 can also be built as a flat plate of correspon~ing width. Basically however, it would not cause any harm if the shape o~ the proj cting plate 19 were to be matched to the appropriate shape of the gap 13. As the fastening and insert fold 20, in the embodiment version according to Figures 1 to 3, is designed to be open at the sides, it can be useful to use a projecting plate 19 which i9 provided more or les~ continuous over the width of the vehicle seat, and hence the length of the gap 13, and follows the mainly curved shape of the gap 13 when the fastening and insert fold 20 is being inserted by the manufacturer of the vehicle seat 10. It would also be possible to bring into action several projecting plates 19 successively over the length of the gap 13. In contrast, for handling the vehicle seat in conjunction with conveyor facilities it is generally sufficient if the projecting plate 19 only has a width which covers the centre area 21.
This is especially true for a projecting plate 19 with which the vehicle seat 10, including the seat cover 1 placed over 2 ~
- 2~ -this, is swung into the body of the motor vehicle and positioned thexe on the assembly line of the vehicle manufacturer. It is obvious that here the projecting plate 19 enters the gap 13 from the front and after poRitioning the vehicle seat 10 in the vehicle body e~its forwards again from the gap 13 in the opposite direction, whereby the fastenin~ and insert fold 20 remains in the gap 13. In doing this, the differing coefficients of friction play a part such that the surface of the insert fold, which faces the cushion, has a greater coefficient of friction and consequently adheres in the gap. As the surface facing the project1ng plate has a lower cosfficient of friction, i.e.
is Sl~OOtll, ~'ne iilSeLi fOld Goes no~ get caught up on the projecting plate and is not pulled out from the gap again when the robot arm withdraws. The fastening and insert fold 20 represents a mezns of fas~ening and inse}tion which serves, simultaneously, for the fi~ing and tight-fitting of the seat cover 1 on the vehicle seat 10. Consequently, the seat cover is then also held on the vehicle seat 10 if the vehicle seat 10 is transported hanging upside-down on a conveyor installation, so that the seat cover cannot fall off. Further, the risk of the seat cover 1 slippihg on the vehicle seat 10 is counteracted, as occured when a worker moved while sitting on the seat. The seat cover 1 receives a perfect, taut fitting and protects the vehicle seat 10 throughout its entire journey, handling and usage between the seat manufacturer, the car plant to the car dealer and up to the delivery of the vehicle to the customer. Only then is the seat cover 1 removed. As the front layer 9 of the seat cover 1 is not broken open and not perforated, dust or objects which have inadvertently fallen into the fastening and insert fold 20 in gap 13 are also removed at th~ same time as the seat cover 1 is taken off the vehicle seat 10.

As can be seen in Figure 1, notches 22 with free edges can be provided in the area of the longitudinal fold 4; said - 26 2~

notches serve for the mounting of headrests. If the headrests are to be mounted prior to attaching the seat cover to ~he vehicle seat 10, it i5 advisable to furnish the seat cover 1 in such a way tha~ it also covler~ the headrests, whereby its required width 9 is increascd accordingly.

Figure 4 shows a second embodlment version of the seat cover 1 which is substantially identical to the e~bodiment version of Figures 1 to 3. However, the fastening and insert fold 20 appears here rather more clearly and more de~ined~ The ~ront layer 2 is folded so that a folded edge 23 is rormed. By r.ears cf diasonal w~l~ed sc~ms 24, carried out on Doin sides, the sides of the fastening and insert fold 20 are closed, whereby as a result of the angled arrangement of the diagonal welded seam 24, waste gussets are created which are not illustrated hexe. The diagonal welded seam 24 is realized as a separating and joining welded seam so that the front layer is closed in the form of a line in this area and the waste pieces are separated at the same time. For the sake of clarity, the transverse welded seams 7 and the diagonal welded seam 24 are not illustrated in Figure 5. The arrangement of the two diagonal welded seams 24, which can also be realiæed as a continuous welded seam, i.e. also passing through the folded edge 23, for example, if the upper section of the seat cover is made ~rom a first foil sheet and the lower section of the seat cover 1 from a second foil sheet, this produces a considerable advantage compared to the embodiment version of Figures 1 to 3 inasmuch as the sections of the front layer 9 are joined directly together on the two edges at connection points 25.
The sections o~ the front layer 2 concerned, which adjoining the start o~ the gap 13, cover the backrest 11 and the seat cushion 12, are joined together and lined up with each other by this. Thus in these areas as well, the seat cover 1 automatically gains its correct fitting and its taut ~2~87 arranyement upon slipping it over the vehic:Le seat 10.

Figure 6 shows a further embodLment version of the seat cover 1 like it can also be prepared by using two sheets of foil in a preferred method of production in the following by means of Figures 10 and 11. The main feature of this seat cover 1 according to Figure 6 is a profiled welded seam 26 which is provided continuously from one edge of the seat cover 1 to the other edge, whereby this profiled welded se~m 26 can ha~e a double S-shape, curved form, as Figure ~
illustrates. This profiled welded seam is also used as a Jo~ ng and separating welded seam. The two waste gussets are then larger in this res~ect and the fastening and insert fold 20 has a closed construction like a pocket in this case tooj similar to the embodiment version of Figure 4, whereby the pocket 27 fcrmed in this way extends roughly over the centre section 21 indicated in Figure 1. This embodiment version has the particular advantage that both connection points 25 on the edges and connecting lines 28 result. This and the, in this respect, enlarged waste gussets prevent a formation of wrinkles in the front layer 2 upon sliding the fastening and insert fold 20 into the gap 13. The seat cover gains an even better taut and smooth fitting on the vehicle seat 10. It is clear that the width of the pocket 27 matches the width of the projecting plate 19 in such a way that sli~ing the fastening and insert fold 20 or the pocket 27 respectively into the gap 13 is possible without any further ado, and that also the subsequent withdrawal of the projecting plate 19 does not lead to the fastening and insert fold 20 being pulled out from the gap 13 again.

The further embodiment version of the seat cover 1 shown in Figure 7 follows on from the embodiment version of Figure 4.
The front layer 2 is folded by fo~ming the folded edge 23 and transverse welded seams 29 are provided, by means of which the fastening and insert fold 20 is closed at the - 28 2~2~7 sides like the sides of a pocket and, on the other hand, connection points 25 are formed. Supplementa~y transverse welded seams 30 provide ~or further connection points 31 on the one hand, and on the other create the suggestion of a pocket 27 limited to the centre section 21. There i5 no waste with this embodiment version.

While with the en~odiment versions shown up to this point the material of the front layer 2 corresponding to twice the depth 14 was arranged in a double layer, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment version in which this material is folded into six layers in Ihree folds projecting backwards (and two folds projecting forwards). The arrows indicate the transverse welded seaming 29 also p-eseni nere wn-,ch can extend across and beyond all folds. ~he pro]ecting plate 19 is brought into use symmetrically according to arrow 32 betwee~ the two folds projecting forwards so that the fastening and insert fold 20 is slid into the gap 13 in a telescopic unfolding, so to speak, of the fastening and insert fold 20. If the front layer 2 consists of a synthetic material, whose surfaca facing the user is smooth and whose surface facing the backre~t and the seat cushion 12 is rough or secured against slipping respectively, there exists the advantage that sections of material with smooth surfaces in contact can be slid past each other during the telescope-like unfolding of the fastening and insert fold 20, a technique that works paticularly smoothly. It is generally recommended, at least with the embodiment versions of Figures 4 to 9, to furnish the front layer 2 material in the manner described with differing properties on the two surface~, while for the embodiment versions of Figures 1 to 3, it can be useful to use synthetic material which is equally smooth on both surfaces.

A possible method of production for the seat cover 1 according to Figure 6 is more closely described by means of Figures 10 and 11. A width of a first foil sheet 33 is folded over by forming a longitudinal fold 4 so that the rear layer 3 which later forms the pocket 17 lies under the section of material which later forms the front layer 2. The transverse welded seams 6 and 7 are provided in the area shown. However, a second foil sheet 34 is guided over this foil sheet 33 so ~hat a longitudinal fold 35 results which corresponds to the longitudinal welded seam 5 of the em~odiment example in Figure 1 so that the rear layer 3 which later forms the pocket 18 is openly visible. The transverse welded seams 6 and 7 are provided here too. The two foil sheets 33 and 34 are guided over each other in such a way that their free longitudinal edges 36 and 37 coincide.

As can be seen from Figure 11, the profiled welded seam 26, with its S-shape course already described/ is now created by forming waste pieces, whereby at the same time, the two foil sheets 33 and 34 are joined and the waste pieces are both separated. The individual seat covers 1 are separated from each other by means of a transverse cut 38, indicated by two arrows, between the tran verse welded seams 6 and 7, and can be stacked.

. .
Another method of production is demonstrated by means of Figures 12 to 14. Here, a tube is used and an embodiment version of the seat cover 1 is prepared which is illustrated in Fiqure 4. The blown tube of synthetic material is firstly cut open longitudinally along a line. This tube is pressed apart as shown in Figure 12 in such a way that the two rear layers 3 result. Corresponding to the seat covers 1, linear welded joining seams 39 and 40 are provided and the connected width guided over a longitudinal fold 41 in the manner shown towards each other so that the two rear layers 3 each point outwards. Then the diagonal welded seams 24 are provided so that the fastening and insert fold 20 is formed.
The welded joining seams 39 and 40 are no longer illustrated 2~4~7 in Figure 13 for reasons of clarity. Continuous lines of perforations 4~ are provided in line or penetrating the welded joining seams 39 and 40. As can be seen from Figure 14, following this, the par~ containing the fastening and insert fold 20 is folded over according to arrow 43 by forming a further longitudinal fold 44 so t~la~ the material of the plastic foil lies in four layers like in the area of the rear layer 3. Therefore, it is possible to wind up the endless strip prepared in this way into a supply roll which has a reduced width and a cylindrical shape.

The .mle~hod of production described by means of Figures 12 to 14 can alco be ~sed when irstead of a split tube, two foi:L
snee~s are employedO In this case, the diagonal welded seams 24 also continue in this area instead of the folded edge 23.

Finally, Figure 15 shows a further manufacturing possibility using a split tube, whereby cross-sections are drawn her~
instead of the plan views shown in Figures 10 to 14. The tube 45, as it emerges from the blowing process, is firstly cut open at point 46 to form a split tube. This is carried out throughout the length and, by means of an appropriate separating procedure, the two rear layer~ 3 and the front layer 2 are formed, whereby at the same time, the longitudinal fold 4 and the longitudinal fold 35 result.
Then the width is folded upon i~self, whereby the longitudinal fold 41 ensues and, for e~ample, the transverse welded seam 29, indicated by arrows, is provided. The arrangement of the transverse welded s ams 6 and 7, not illustrated here, and/or the provision of perforations is initiated and carried out accordingly.

Figure 16 shows another embodiment version of the seat cover 1 which follows on from the examples of Figures 7 or 11. It is, so to speak, the reversal of Figure 11. The profiled ~ ~ ~ 7~

welded seam 26 is produced in such a way that a waste piece is created in the cen~re, and a means of fastenlng and insertion 20', 20~ is formed, one on each side, left and right, which can be inserted into the gap 1.3. Therefore, this seat cover 1 is destined for a vehicle seat 10 whose articulated joint arrangement to enable the backrest 11 to pivot with respect to the seat cushion 12 is provided in the centre so that, in the adjoining outer areas to the left and right, two gaps 13 are formed, so to speak, whereby one means of fastening and insertion 20' is anchored in one gap and the other means of fastening and ins~rtion ~0'' in tne other gap. The seat cover thereby gains an excellent tight fitting on the vehicle seat 10. The problem areas of the vehicle seat 10 are covered and protected in an optimum way by means of the two-sided fixing. The seat cover 1 according to Figure 16 can also be manufactured from a continuous piece of material, for example, in the form of a split tube, or from two shsets of foil.

The seat cover 1 shown in the lying flat condition in Figure 17 consists in some sections of a double-layer of plastic foil, while other sections are constructed of one layer, as can be easily recognized by means of Figure 18. In order to avoid repetitions, the description of the first em~odiment e~ample according to Figure 1 to 3 can be referr~d to. As can be seen by looking at Figures 18 and 3 together, the width 3 of the front layer 2 corresponds to the sum of the length 15 of backrest 11 and the length 16 of seat cushion 12.

Together with the rear layer 3, the front layer 2 forms the first pocket 17 adjoining the longitudinal fold 4 and the second pocket 18 adjoining the area of longitudinal welded seam 5. The sides of pockets 17 and 18 are closed by transverse welded seams 6 and 7, and only the centre section is open so that it is possible to slip the seat cover 1 on 2~4~

with the pocket 17 over the backrest 11 and the pocket 18 over area3 of the seat cushion 12, in the manner shown in Figure 3. After such a slipping-on procedure, the material -C_~'O~lS 0~ L,.L12 plastic foil which form the front layer 2 are located in a more or less taut form outside the gap 13t roughly on the usable surface of the seat cushion 12. Using a projecting plate 19, provided on a robot arm only indicated here, a fastening and insert tongue 50, provided in a middle section of the front layer 2, is slid into the gap between backrest ll and seat cushion 12 and ~irmly clamped in doing so. If the front layer 2 is of continuous construction, this front layer can be penetrated in the area of the fastening and insert tongue 50 while doing this.
However, it is also possible and also sensible to provide the front layer 2 with a notch 51 (Figure 173 at this point, i.e. underneath the fastening and insert tongue 50r Instead of the notch 51, a perforation, cutout or sLmilar can be provided. This forms an opening through which the fastening and insert tongue 50 can be more easily inserted into the gap 13, as can be readily imagined by means of Figure 3. ~he fastening and insert tongue 50 is joined to the front layer 2 with the help of a welded seam 52~ The welded seam 52 forms, so to speak, a pivoting axis for the fastening and insert tongue 50. The welded seam 52 is illustrated in Figure 18 by an arrow.

The width 9 of the front layer 2 must be at least as great as the sum of lengths 15 and 16. However, it is advantageous if the width 9 is dLm~nsioned rather larger so that, upon sliding the fastening and insert-tongue 50 into the gap 13, front layer 2 material is also inserted into the gap and thu~ also anchored.

Figures 19 and 20 show a further embodLment example of th seat cover 1. As can be seen, in this case the seat cover 1 consists of two foil sheets which are joined to each other 2~92~7 where they overlap. The connection is realiæed through a welded seam 53 which leaves open the centre sec~ion, i.e.
the section in which the fastening and insert tongue 50 is located, and thereby only covers the adjacent edge areas. In ~ligure 20, this welded seam 53 is again inclicated by an arrow. The fastening and insert tongue 50 is formed on the lower edge of the foil sheet shown on top. The lower foil sheet has an upper edge 54 which is provided open in the cen~re section so that the opening for the passage of the fastening and insert ~ongue 50 as it is being slid into the gap 13 is provided here.

The embodiment example of Figures 21 and 22 is similally constructed, i.e. two foil sheets are also employed here which are joined to each other by welded seams 53. The foil sheet shown on top has a lower Qdge 55 which also runs in a straight line like the upper edge 54. An overlap 56 is provided here. To form the fastening and insert tongue 50, notches 57 with open ed~es are provided in the part of t~e foil sheet concerned. The sections of shee~ foil material provided in the direction of the edge areas do not interfere here.

The notch 51 is realized in the front layer 2 in the embodiment e~ample of Figures 23 and 24. The piece of material forming the fastenin~ and insert tongue 50 is in this case welded onto the rear of the front layer 2, in fact by means of the welded seam 52.

2~9~7 L e g e n d f o r d r a w i n g 5 1 = Seat cover 2 = Front layer 3 - Rear layer 4 = Longitudinal fold = Longitudinal welded seam 6 = Transverse welded seam 7 = Transverse welded seam 8 = Arrow g = Width = Motor vehicle seat 11 = Backrest 12 = Seat cushion 13 = Gap 14 = Depth = Length 16 = ~ength 17 = Pocket 18 = Pocket: ~ :
19 = ~ Projecting plate~
= Fastening and:insert ~old 21 = Cen~re section 22 = Cutout/notch 23 = Folded edge 24 = Diagonal welded seam = Connection point 26 - Profiled welded seam 27 = Pocket 28 = Connecting line 29 = Transverse welded seam = Transverse welded seam 31 = Connection point 2 ~ g 7 32 = Axrow 33 = Foil sheet 34 = Foil sheet = Longitudinal edge 36 = Longitudinal edge 37 = Longitudinal edge 38 = Separating cut 39 = Welded joining seam = Welded joining seam ~1 = Longitudinal fold 42 = Line of perforations 43 = Arrow 44 = ~ongitudinal ~old = Tube 46 = Point = Fastening and insert tongue 51 = Cutout/notch 52 = Welded seam 53 = Welded seam 54 = Upper edge = ~ower edge 56 = Overlap 57 = Cutout/notch

Claims

1. Seat cover made from a double-layered piece of plastic foil for protecting a motor vehicle seat, in particlar for the initial (original) fitting-out, having a continuous front layer (2) to protect the seat surface and the backrest surface of the seat, and a rear layer (3) connected to the front layer by means of transverse welded seams (6, 7), whereby said rear layer forms, in conjunction with the front layer, a first pocket (17) enclosing at least part of the backrest (11) of the seat (10) and, is required, a second pocket (18) enclosing at least part of the seat cushion (12), c h a r a c t e r -i z e d i n t h a t the front layer (2) has a means of fastening and insertion (20; 20', 20''; 50) for clamping in the area of the gap (13) between backrest (11) and seat cushion (12).

2. Seat cover according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the front layer (2) has a width (9) corresponding to the length (15) of the backrest (11) and the length (16) of the seat cushion (12) as well as approximately twice the depth (14) of the gap (13) between backrest (11) and seat cushion (12), and that the means of fastening and insertion of the seat cover (1) is formed as a fastening and insert fold (20; 20', 20'') in the area of the gap (13) between backrest (11) and seat cushion (12).

3. Seat cover according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r -i z e d i n t h a t the fastening and insert fold (20) is closed on both sides like a pocket by transverse welded seaming (24).

4. Seat cover according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the fastening and insert fold (20) is closed on both sides like a pocket by diagonal welded seaming (24).

5. Seat cover according to one or several of the claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the fastening and insert fold (20; 20', 20'') is closed like a pocket by profiled welded seaming (26) provided in the direction of the gap, whereby the width of the pocket (27) formed in this way covers the centre section (21) of the gap (13) or the pockets (17) formed in this way cover the two outer areas of the gap (13).

6. Seat cover according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the means of fastening and insertion of the seat cover is formed as a fastening and insert tongue (50), the width of which corresponds approximately to the depth (14) of the gap (13), in the area of the gap (13) between backrest and seat cushion.

7. Seat cover according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the front layer (2) has a peroration, a notch, a cutout or an open edge (54) in the area of the fastening and insert tongue (50).

8. Seat cover according to one or more of the claims 6 and 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the front layer (2) has a somewhat greater width (9) than that corresponding to the sum of the length (15) of the backrest (11) and the length (16) of the seat cushion (12).

9. Seat cover according to one or several of the claims 6 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the front layer (23 is made from two sheets of foil which are arranged overlapping for forming the fastening and insert tongue (50), and are joined together in the area not covered by the fastening and insert tongue (50).

10. Seat cover according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the fastening and insert tongue (50) has a flap-type form and is welded on the edges with the front layer (2) to create a pivoting axis.

11. Seat cover according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r -i z e d i n t h a t the fastening and insert tongue (50) on the front side facing away from the rear layer (3) is joined to the front layer (2?.

12. Seat cover according to claim 2 or 6, c h a r a c t e r -i z e d i n t h a t the front layer (2) has a higher coefficient of friction on its rear side than on its front side.

13. Method for manufacturing seat covers for protecting vehicle seats according to one or several of the claims 1 to 12, whereby the widths forming the front layer and the rear layer are made from plastic foil in the form of a slit tube and the two widths for each seat cover are joined together by transverse welded seams (6, 7), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the width of plastic foil forming also the front layer (2) is folded longitudinally and is closed like a pocket by spot or seam welding to form a means of fastening and insertion (20; 20', 20''; 50).

14. Method according to one or several of the claims 1 to 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , whereby the widths forming the front layer and the rear layer are made from plastic foil in the form of foil sheets and the widths for each seat cover are joined together by transverse welded seams (6, 7), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the widths of plastic foil forming also the front layer are laid on top of each other with the edges facing away from the pockets and are closed like pockets by spot or seam welding to form a means of fastening and insertion (20; 20', 20''; 50).

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, c h a r a c t e r -i z e d i n t h a t the means of fastening and insertion (20; 20', 20''; 50) is formed like a pocket in the area of the gap between backrest and seat cushion.

16. Method according to claim 13 or 14, c h a r a c t e r -i z e d i n t h a t the means of fastening and insertion (20; 20', 20''; 50) is folded over in the direction of the pockets (17, 18) for the backrest (11 and the seat cushion (12) before winding up into a supply roll is carried out.