CA2183291A1 - Carrier for suspending briefcase or comparable article from automobile seat - Google Patents
Carrier for suspending briefcase or comparable article from automobile seatInfo
- Publication number
- CA2183291A1 CA2183291A1 CA 2183291 CA2183291A CA2183291A1 CA 2183291 A1 CA2183291 A1 CA 2183291A1 CA 2183291 CA2183291 CA 2183291 CA 2183291 A CA2183291 A CA 2183291A CA 2183291 A1 CA2183291 A1 CA 2183291A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- carrier
- seat back
- headrest
- fastener
- connector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
Abstract
An integrally-formed elastomeric carrier for use in an automobile conveniently retains a briefcase or other article that has a carryinghandle. The carrier is adapted for installation between the headrest and seat back of a conventional automobile seat. It has a connector portion with clearance holes that locate about posts supporting the headrest above the seat back, and a body portion that flexes downward either behind or forward of the seat back to position a pair of hooks for receipt of the carrying handle. The briefcase or article is thus suspended safely and unobtrusively from the automobile seat.
Description
CARRIER FOR SUSPENDING BRIEFCASE OR
COMPARABLE ARTICLE FROM AUTOMOBILE SEAT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an automobile accessory that perrnits 5 convenient storage and retrieval of a briefcase or a comparable article formed with a carrying handle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Business people who travel by automobile to meetings often take briefcases. If a briefcase is rested on an automobile seat or floor, it may be 10 dislodged if the automobile stops suddenly or negotiates a sharp turn. It would be desirable to provide a simple carrier that perrnits a briefcase or comparablearticle, such as a toolbox, to be reliably stored while an automobile is in motion and very conveniently retrieved when required.
The prior art has proposed various automobile accessories for storing articles. U.S. patent no. 3,309,135 to Jenneto proposes a general purpose package retaining rack that secures firmly to the floor of an automobileand moves between operative and inoperative positions relative to a seat. U.S.
patent no. 3,756,481 to Schaefer discloses a wire frame which defines arched wire members that locate over the back of an automobile seat and a central 20 cross-bar that serves as a carrying handle and alternatively as a hat or helmet support, and a plastic case supported behind the seat to receive various articles.
U.S. patent no. 3,951,486 to Tracy proposes an automobile organizer comprising rigid wire hangers that secure over the back of an automobile seat and a special briefcase configured to function as a desk but also removable from25 the organizer. Such prior art practices fails to provide a convenient and simple mechanism for storing a briefcase or comparable article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a carrier for suspending an article that has a carrying handle, such as a briefcase, from an automobile seat.
The carrier is adapted for installation on a seat that has a seat back, a headrest 5 above the seat back, and a headrest support that secures the headrest to the seat back. The carrier comprises a connector attachable to the headrest support, a fastener for releasably receiving the carrying handle, and a body that positionsthe fastener over one face (forward or rear) of the seat back when the connectoris secured to the headrest support.
The connector, body and fastener may be distinct components.
However, the carrier is preferably integrally formed of an elastomeric material in which case the fastener is preferably a simple hook or pair of hooks. The body may simply flex downward over the seat back to position the hook for receipt of the carrying handle thereby accommodating variations in the shape of an automobile seat and avoiding complex construction. Since the headrest and headrest supports of a conventional automobile seat are often removable from and reinsertable into the seat back, the carrier may be conveniently and inexpensively adapted for attachment to the seat by providing appLopliate clearance holes in the`connector to receive the supports.
Various aspects of the invention have been identified above.
Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from a description below of a preferred embodiment and will be more specifically defined in the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood with reference to drawings in which:
fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a briefcase carrier attached to an automobile seat;
fig. 2 is a plan view of the carrier; and, fig. 3 is a fragmented perspective view further detailing S mounting of the carrier to the automobile seat.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is made to fig. 1 which shows a carrier 10 suspending a conventional briefcase 12 by means of its pivoting carrying handle 14 behind a forward seat 16 of an automobile. The carrier 10 is integrally molded of an elastomeric material such as natural rubber. It comprises a connector 18 adapted to attach to the vertical headrest posts 20 that support a headrest 22 above the top of the seat back 24, a fastener comprising a pair of hooks 26 thatreceive the handle 14 associated with the briefcase 12, and a flexible body 28 that joins the connector 18 to the hooks 26 and positions the hooks 26 for receipt and removal of the briefcase 12.
The body 28 is a generally planar member with opposing faces 30, 32 and generally trapezoidal periphery 34. The connector 18 is formed at a broader upper side of the body 28, and the hooks 26, at a narrower lower side of the body 28. The connector 18 has various clearance holes that extend between the opposing faces 30, 32. An inner pair of clearance holes 36 are elongate slots. As in many vehicles, the headrest 22 and posts 20 are removable together from the seat back 24. To install the carrier 10, the headrest 22 and posts 20 are removed, the posts 20 are inserted through the clearance holes 36, and the posts 20 are then re-installed into the seat back 24, securingthe connector 18 between the headrest 22 and seat back 24. An outer pair of circular clearance holes 38 conform more closely to the circular shape and diameter of conventional headrest supports. The clearance holes 38 may be spaced from one another by a distance reflecting common support spacing in the automotive industry. The clearance holes 36 are elongate to accommodate variations in post spacing from vehicle-to-vehicle.
The body 28 of the carrier 10 flexes downward to position the hooks 26 for receipt of the briefcase 12. The exposed face 32 of the body 28 is formed with transverse grooves (such as the groove 40) to enhance such downward flexing. In figs. 1 and 3, the hooks 26 are positioned proximate to a rear face 42 of the seat back 16. To store the briefcase 12, the handle 14 of the briefcase 12 is simply located on the hooks 26. To remove the briefcase 12, the briefcase 12 is simply lifted from the carrier 10 by means of its handle 14.
Such operations can be performed by opening the rear door of the automobile or by reaching behind the seat 16. If the seat 16 is a passenger seat, rather than the driver's seat, the carrier 10 might alternatively be used to suspend the briefcase 12 over a forward face 44 of the seat back 24. To that end, the connector 18 may simply be fastened to the headrest posts 20 with the body 28 of the carrier 10 extending downward over the forward face 44 of the seat back 24. The flexible nature of the body 28 will accommodate the different geometry of the forward face 44 of the seat back 24, positioning the hooks 26 properly over the forward face 44 for receipt of the carrying handle 14. The driver can then simply reach from his seat to store or retrieve the briefcase 12.
Several advantages associated with the invention should be more apparent from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment. The carrier 10 has a very simple and relatively unobtrusive construction. It attaches very conveniently to the headrest supports 20, and although some variation in support spacing occurs from vehicle-to-vehicle, such variations can be very easily accommodated with elongated clearance holes 36. The flexible body 28 makes construction largely independent of the shape of the seat back 24.
Basically, the body 28 flexes to conform to the seat back 24, particularly to the horizontal dimension and shape of the top of the seat back 24, and extends downwardly to properly orient the hooks 26. Without modification, the carrier 10 can normally be attached to a passenger seat to allow suspension of the 5 briefcase or comparable handled article immediately beside the driver, and once again, accommodates the geometry of the seat. The briefcase 12 is of course very simply installed or removed. When installed, the briefcase 12 will not be flung forward if the automobile is suddenly stopped and is suspended clear of other vehicle structures, avoiding scuffing. The integral elastomeric 10 construction is comparatively low-cost, and, when the carrier 10 is used to suspend articles behind a forward automobile seat, the incidental elastomeric nature of the hooks 26 reduces the likelihood of injury to passengers entering or leaving the back of the vehicle.
It will be appreciated that a particular embodiment of the 15 invention has been described and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or necessarily departing fromthe scope of the appended claims. Various releasable fasteners (VelcroTM
fasteners, straps with snaps, clips) can be used to receive the carrying handle of the article to be supported. Although a pair of hooks is preferred, a single hook 20 of ~prol)liate shape is sufficient for purposes of the invention. Although the carrier may be configured to attach to only a single headrest post, two headrestposts are conventionally available and the connector is preferably adapted to secure to both. Clearance holes are preferred for attachment to headrest posts, although ties, clips and hooks might be used. Other variations within the ambit 25 of the claims will be apparent.
COMPARABLE ARTICLE FROM AUTOMOBILE SEAT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an automobile accessory that perrnits 5 convenient storage and retrieval of a briefcase or a comparable article formed with a carrying handle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Business people who travel by automobile to meetings often take briefcases. If a briefcase is rested on an automobile seat or floor, it may be 10 dislodged if the automobile stops suddenly or negotiates a sharp turn. It would be desirable to provide a simple carrier that perrnits a briefcase or comparablearticle, such as a toolbox, to be reliably stored while an automobile is in motion and very conveniently retrieved when required.
The prior art has proposed various automobile accessories for storing articles. U.S. patent no. 3,309,135 to Jenneto proposes a general purpose package retaining rack that secures firmly to the floor of an automobileand moves between operative and inoperative positions relative to a seat. U.S.
patent no. 3,756,481 to Schaefer discloses a wire frame which defines arched wire members that locate over the back of an automobile seat and a central 20 cross-bar that serves as a carrying handle and alternatively as a hat or helmet support, and a plastic case supported behind the seat to receive various articles.
U.S. patent no. 3,951,486 to Tracy proposes an automobile organizer comprising rigid wire hangers that secure over the back of an automobile seat and a special briefcase configured to function as a desk but also removable from25 the organizer. Such prior art practices fails to provide a convenient and simple mechanism for storing a briefcase or comparable article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a carrier for suspending an article that has a carrying handle, such as a briefcase, from an automobile seat.
The carrier is adapted for installation on a seat that has a seat back, a headrest 5 above the seat back, and a headrest support that secures the headrest to the seat back. The carrier comprises a connector attachable to the headrest support, a fastener for releasably receiving the carrying handle, and a body that positionsthe fastener over one face (forward or rear) of the seat back when the connectoris secured to the headrest support.
The connector, body and fastener may be distinct components.
However, the carrier is preferably integrally formed of an elastomeric material in which case the fastener is preferably a simple hook or pair of hooks. The body may simply flex downward over the seat back to position the hook for receipt of the carrying handle thereby accommodating variations in the shape of an automobile seat and avoiding complex construction. Since the headrest and headrest supports of a conventional automobile seat are often removable from and reinsertable into the seat back, the carrier may be conveniently and inexpensively adapted for attachment to the seat by providing appLopliate clearance holes in the`connector to receive the supports.
Various aspects of the invention have been identified above.
Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from a description below of a preferred embodiment and will be more specifically defined in the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood with reference to drawings in which:
fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a briefcase carrier attached to an automobile seat;
fig. 2 is a plan view of the carrier; and, fig. 3 is a fragmented perspective view further detailing S mounting of the carrier to the automobile seat.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is made to fig. 1 which shows a carrier 10 suspending a conventional briefcase 12 by means of its pivoting carrying handle 14 behind a forward seat 16 of an automobile. The carrier 10 is integrally molded of an elastomeric material such as natural rubber. It comprises a connector 18 adapted to attach to the vertical headrest posts 20 that support a headrest 22 above the top of the seat back 24, a fastener comprising a pair of hooks 26 thatreceive the handle 14 associated with the briefcase 12, and a flexible body 28 that joins the connector 18 to the hooks 26 and positions the hooks 26 for receipt and removal of the briefcase 12.
The body 28 is a generally planar member with opposing faces 30, 32 and generally trapezoidal periphery 34. The connector 18 is formed at a broader upper side of the body 28, and the hooks 26, at a narrower lower side of the body 28. The connector 18 has various clearance holes that extend between the opposing faces 30, 32. An inner pair of clearance holes 36 are elongate slots. As in many vehicles, the headrest 22 and posts 20 are removable together from the seat back 24. To install the carrier 10, the headrest 22 and posts 20 are removed, the posts 20 are inserted through the clearance holes 36, and the posts 20 are then re-installed into the seat back 24, securingthe connector 18 between the headrest 22 and seat back 24. An outer pair of circular clearance holes 38 conform more closely to the circular shape and diameter of conventional headrest supports. The clearance holes 38 may be spaced from one another by a distance reflecting common support spacing in the automotive industry. The clearance holes 36 are elongate to accommodate variations in post spacing from vehicle-to-vehicle.
The body 28 of the carrier 10 flexes downward to position the hooks 26 for receipt of the briefcase 12. The exposed face 32 of the body 28 is formed with transverse grooves (such as the groove 40) to enhance such downward flexing. In figs. 1 and 3, the hooks 26 are positioned proximate to a rear face 42 of the seat back 16. To store the briefcase 12, the handle 14 of the briefcase 12 is simply located on the hooks 26. To remove the briefcase 12, the briefcase 12 is simply lifted from the carrier 10 by means of its handle 14.
Such operations can be performed by opening the rear door of the automobile or by reaching behind the seat 16. If the seat 16 is a passenger seat, rather than the driver's seat, the carrier 10 might alternatively be used to suspend the briefcase 12 over a forward face 44 of the seat back 24. To that end, the connector 18 may simply be fastened to the headrest posts 20 with the body 28 of the carrier 10 extending downward over the forward face 44 of the seat back 24. The flexible nature of the body 28 will accommodate the different geometry of the forward face 44 of the seat back 24, positioning the hooks 26 properly over the forward face 44 for receipt of the carrying handle 14. The driver can then simply reach from his seat to store or retrieve the briefcase 12.
Several advantages associated with the invention should be more apparent from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment. The carrier 10 has a very simple and relatively unobtrusive construction. It attaches very conveniently to the headrest supports 20, and although some variation in support spacing occurs from vehicle-to-vehicle, such variations can be very easily accommodated with elongated clearance holes 36. The flexible body 28 makes construction largely independent of the shape of the seat back 24.
Basically, the body 28 flexes to conform to the seat back 24, particularly to the horizontal dimension and shape of the top of the seat back 24, and extends downwardly to properly orient the hooks 26. Without modification, the carrier 10 can normally be attached to a passenger seat to allow suspension of the 5 briefcase or comparable handled article immediately beside the driver, and once again, accommodates the geometry of the seat. The briefcase 12 is of course very simply installed or removed. When installed, the briefcase 12 will not be flung forward if the automobile is suddenly stopped and is suspended clear of other vehicle structures, avoiding scuffing. The integral elastomeric 10 construction is comparatively low-cost, and, when the carrier 10 is used to suspend articles behind a forward automobile seat, the incidental elastomeric nature of the hooks 26 reduces the likelihood of injury to passengers entering or leaving the back of the vehicle.
It will be appreciated that a particular embodiment of the 15 invention has been described and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or necessarily departing fromthe scope of the appended claims. Various releasable fasteners (VelcroTM
fasteners, straps with snaps, clips) can be used to receive the carrying handle of the article to be supported. Although a pair of hooks is preferred, a single hook 20 of ~prol)liate shape is sufficient for purposes of the invention. Although the carrier may be configured to attach to only a single headrest post, two headrestposts are conventionally available and the connector is preferably adapted to secure to both. Clearance holes are preferred for attachment to headrest posts, although ties, clips and hooks might be used. Other variations within the ambit 25 of the claims will be apparent.
Claims (10)
1. A carrier for suspending an article that has a carrying handle from an automobile seat that has a seat back with forward and rear faces, a headrest above the seat back, and a headrest support attaching the headrest to the seat back, the carrier comprising:
a connector attachable to the headrest support;
a fastener for receiving the carrying handle; and, a body attached to the connector and to the fastener which positions the fastener proximate to one of the faces of the seat back for receipt of the carrying handle when the connector is attached to the headrest support.
a connector attachable to the headrest support;
a fastener for receiving the carrying handle; and, a body attached to the connector and to the fastener which positions the fastener proximate to one of the faces of the seat back for receipt of the carrying handle when the connector is attached to the headrest support.
2. The carrier of claim 1 adapted for use with an automobile seat in which the headrest and the headrest support remove together from and reinsert together into the seat back, in which the connector comprises a clearance hole for receiving the headrest support.
3. The carrier of claim 1 in which:
the connector is located at an upper side of the body and the fastener is located at a lower side of the body; and, the body is formed of an elastomeric material such that the body flexes downward over the seat back thereby to position the fastener.
the connector is located at an upper side of the body and the fastener is located at a lower side of the body; and, the body is formed of an elastomeric material such that the body flexes downward over the seat back thereby to position the fastener.
4. The carrier of claim 3 in which the connector, the fastener and the body are integrally formed of the elastomeric material.
5. The carrier of claim 1 in which the fastener comprises a hook.
6. In an automobile, a carrier for suspending an article that has a carrying handle from an automobile seat that has a seat back with forward and rear faces, a headrest above the seat back, and a headrest support attaching theheadrest to the seat back, the carrier comprising:
a connector attached to the headrest support;
a fastener for receiving the carrying handle; and, a body joining the connector and the fastener, the body positioning the fastener over one of the faces of the seat back such that the article can be suspended by means of its carrying handle from the fastener.
a connector attached to the headrest support;
a fastener for receiving the carrying handle; and, a body joining the connector and the fastener, the body positioning the fastener over one of the faces of the seat back such that the article can be suspended by means of its carrying handle from the fastener.
7. The carrier of claim 6 adapted for use with an automobile seat in which the headrest and the headrest support remove together from and reinsert together into the seat back, in which the connector comprises a clearance hole located about the headrest support.
8. The carrier of claim 6 in which:
the connector is located at an upper side of the body and the fastener is located at a lower side of the body; and, the body is formed of an elastomeric material and flexed downward over the seat back thereby to position the fastener.
the connector is located at an upper side of the body and the fastener is located at a lower side of the body; and, the body is formed of an elastomeric material and flexed downward over the seat back thereby to position the fastener.
9. The carrier of claim 6 in which the fastener comprises a hook.
10. A carrier for suspending a briefcase that has a carrying handle behind an automobile seat that has a seat back, a headrest above the seatback, and a headrest post attaching the headrest to the seat back and removable from and reinsertable into the seat back, the carrier being integrally formed of an elastomeric material, the carrier comprising a generally planar body with a pairof opposing faces and clearance holes extending between the opposing faces and spaced to receive the headrest posts, the body being sufficiently flexible that the body conforms to the seat back and extends downward over the seat back when the clearance holes receive the headrest posts, the carrier comprising one or more hooks attached to the body and positioned to receive the carrying handle when the connector is attached to the headrest posts.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US51485095A | 1995-08-14 | 1995-08-14 | |
| US08/514,850 | 1995-08-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2183291A1 true CA2183291A1 (en) | 1997-02-15 |
Family
ID=24048936
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2183291 Abandoned CA2183291A1 (en) | 1995-08-14 | 1996-08-14 | Carrier for suspending briefcase or comparable article from automobile seat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2183291A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2533558A (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2016-06-29 | Mcnae Alan | Hook for a vehicle seat |
-
1996
- 1996-08-14 CA CA 2183291 patent/CA2183291A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2533558A (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2016-06-29 | Mcnae Alan | Hook for a vehicle seat |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20010814 |