CN216833505U - Spacer and gap pocket region generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a clearance wall and clearance pocket region generate device. The spacer includes a spacer and a base. The divider includes a top end and a bottom end. The base is connected to a bottom end of the partition, and the base may be connected to the gap filler such that the partition forms a wall of the pocket region when connected to the gap filler and when the gap filler is installed between the seat and an adjacent barrier. The divider may be compressible. The partition may be an outer fabric that creates an interior cavity that may be filled with a filler material. The outer fabric may be leather. The spacer may have a closable opening for adjusting the amount of filler of the inner cavity. The closable opening may use a zipper.

Description

Spacer and gap pocket region generating device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of united states design patent application No. 29/756,183 filed on 27.10.2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to gap fillers that are mounted to the side of a seat to prevent items from falling under the seat, and more particularly, the present application scheme makes the gap filler more effective in holding and storing items for easy access.

Background

Automobiles often have seats with center consoles, and it is known that it is frustrating that items often fall into the gap between the seat and the center console. When an item, such as a cell phone, falls into the gap, a danger may be created if the driver attempts to reach out to retrieve the item. In recent years, gap filler products have been designed as flexible cylinders filled with padding and designed to hook onto an automotive seat belt latch to fit between the seat and center console, thereby successfully plugging the gap. While this may prevent items from falling out of the gap, it causes space at the gap to be wasted in the vehicle.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved gap filler that can not only plug the gap, but also utilize the space between the seat and the center console.

Disclosure of Invention

The application discloses a spacer including a partition and a base. The divider includes a top end and a bottom end. The base is connected to the bottom end of the partition, while the base may be connected to the gap filler, such that the partition forms one wall of the pocket area when the base is connected to the gap filler and when the gap filler is installed between the seat and the adjacent barrier. The divider may be compressible. The divider may have an outer fabric to create an internal cavity, and the internal cavity may have a filler. The outer fabric may be leather. The spacer may have a closable opening that may be used to adjust the amount of filler in the lumen. The closable opening may use a zipper. The partition may be flexible.

The present application further describes a gap pocket region generating apparatus including a gap filler and a gap wall. The gap filler may be an elongated member having a trailing end at one end and a leading end at an opposite end. The spacer includes a spacer and a base, wherein the spacer is connected to the base and the base is connectable to the gap filler, and the spacer extends away from the gap filler when connected. The front end of the gap filler may have a retainer with a bottom and side walls that are open at the top to form an enclosure for holding items. The sidewall may be teardrop-shaped when viewed from the top. The spacer may be compressible. The gap filler may have an internal cavity and a closable opening into the internal cavity, which opening may be used to adjust the amount of filler in the internal cavity. The closable opening may have a zipper and may be located at the bottom of the spacer.

The gap filler may be an elongated member having a tail end with a left retention strap on the left side, a leading end, a left side, a right side, and a bottom side. The left retaining strap is connected with its own front and rear to the gap filler to create a left side opening into which a first seat belt latch (e.g., a driver seat belt latch) can be passed for assembly. The right side of the gap filler tail end has a right retaining strap. The right retainer strap is connected with its own front and rear to a gap filler to create a right side opening into which a second belt latch (e.g., a passenger seat belt latch) can be passed for assembly.

The base may be a collar that fits around the gap filler and allows the gap wall to slide along the gap filler. The spacer may extend away from the gap filler when the base is connected to the gap filler.

Drawings

Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a first gap pocket generating device with a gap filler and two gap walls with longitudinally compressible square (cross-sectional) spacers.

Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of a first gap pocket region creating device in which two gap walls are moved to different positions on the gap filler.

Fig. 2 shows a right side view of the first gap pocket region generating means.

Fig. 3 shows a left side view of the first gap pocket region generating means.

Fig. 4 shows a top side view of a first gap pocket region creating means.

Fig. 5 shows a bottom side view of the first gap pocket area generating means.

Fig. 6 shows a back side view of the first gap pocket region generating means.

Fig. 7 shows a front side view of the first gap pocket region generating means.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a second gap pocket region creating device having a gap filler and two gap walls with compressible spacers with zippers.

Fig. 9A shows a perspective view of a third gap pocket region creating device with a gap filler and two gap walls with longitudinally compressible cylindrical dividers.

Fig. 9B shows a perspective view of a third gap pocket region creating device where the two gap walls are moved to different positions on the gap filler.

Fig. 10A shows a perspective view of a fourth gap pocket generating device with a gap filler and two gap walls with longitudinally compressible triangular (cross-sectional) dividers.

Fig. 10B shows a perspective view of a fourth gap pocket region creation device where the two gap walls are moved to different positions on the gap filler.

Fig. 11A shows a perspective view of a fifth gap pocket area generating device having a gap filler and two gap walls with longitudinal elliptical spacers.

Fig. 11B shows a perspective view of a fifth gap pocket region creation device where the two gap walls are moved to different positions on the gap filler.

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a sixth gap pocket generating device with a gap filler and two gap walls with longitudinally compressible cylinders at the ends of the separator strip.

FIG. 13 shows a spacer with a longitudinal compressible member divider and a base that is a hoop that fits around the gap filler.

FIG. 14 shows a spacer with a vertically square (in cross-section) compressible spacer and a base, which is a hoop fitted around the gap filler.

FIG. 15 shows a spacer with a vertical elliptical cylindrical compressible spacer and a base, which is a hoop fitted around the gap filler.

FIG. 16 shows a spacer with a longer vertical elliptical cylindrical compressible spacer and a base, which is a hoop fitted around the gap filler.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a seventh gap pocket region generating device installed between a front driver seat and an adjacent barrier in a vehicle, in which the generated pocket region is used to hold and tidy various articles.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a first gap-pocket region-generating device 101 having a gap filler 150 and front and rear gap walls 152A and 152A'.

The gap filler 150 is an elongated member having a leading end and a trailing end. The front end is shown with a retainer 160. The trailing end has a right seatbelt latch opening formed by the right retaining strap 158 and a left seatbelt latch opening formed by the left retaining strap 156 as shown.

While the gap filler 150 is depicted with the seat belt latch opening and retainer 160, having these components on the gap filler 150 is optional.

The retainer strap 156 or 158 may be attached to the gap filler 150 by attaching the leading end of the retainer strap to the gap filler 150 and simultaneously attaching the trailing end of the retainer strap to the gap filler 150, thereby forming an opening to accept a car seat belt latch. The right retention strap 158 and the gap filler 150 form a right seatbelt latch opening. The left retention strap 156 and the gap filler 150 form a left seatbelt latch opening. The retention straps 156 and 158 are shown as having a greater fore-aft dimension than an up-down dimension, but any size and proportion that will result in a belt latch opening through which a vehicle belt latch may pass will work. The retention straps 156 and 158 may be made of strong fabric and the retention straps may be non-stretchable. The retaining straps 156 and 158 may be attached to the gap filler 150 by sewing, gluing, frictional heat bonding, melting, or any other means that can create a permanent bond between the retaining straps 156 and 158 and the gap filler 150. If the first gap pocket region creating device 101 is installed between the driver's seat and an adjacent barrier (e.g., center console), then the left side belt latch opening may allow the automobile belt latch to pass through, thereby securing the gap filler 150 in place so that any seat movement will not disengage the gap filler 150. If the first gap pocket region creating device 101 is installed between the passenger seat and the center console, the right belt latch opening can let the car belt latch pass through and secure the gap filler 150 so that any seat movement does not disengage the gap filler 150.

The front spacer 152A has a longitudinal square compressible partition 154A that can be covered with fabric and filled with filler in the interior cavity. The rear spacer 152A 'has a rear longitudinal square compressible partition 154A'.

The fabric covering member may be filled with padding, such as polyester padding, soft foam pieces, sponge foam, air bags, bean-pocket area padding, pillow padding or any padding that can be compressed and pushed back so that it fills the gap and pushes to hold the gap wall in place as it slides into the gap between the seat and the adjacent barrier.

Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of the first gap-pocket region creating device 101, where the two gap walls 152 and 152' are moved to different positions on the gap filler 150.

Fig. 2 shows a right side view of a first gap-pocket region creating device 101 with two gap walls 152A and 152A' on a gap filler 150. The figure shows the gap filler 150 with the retainer 160.

Fig. 3 shows a left side view of a first gap-pocket region creating device 101 with two gap walls 152A and 152A' on a gap filler 150. The figure shows the gap filler 150 with a retainer 160.

Fig. 4 shows a top side view of a first gap pocket region creating device 101 with two gap walls 152A and 152A' on a gap filler 150. The figure shows the gap filler 150 having a left retaining strap 156, a right retaining strap 158, and a retainer 160. The retainer 160 may be removable, such as by using a zipper, buttons, hooks, hook and loop fasteners, or any component that can secure the retainer 160 to the gap filler 150.

The retainer 160 has a bottom 402 and a sidewall 404. The holder is designed such that when the first gap pocket generating device 101 is installed, it extends beyond the front of the seat at the seat side and can hold larger items such as bottled water, thermos, cell phone, etc.

Fig. 5 shows a bottom side view of a first gap pocket region generating device 101 with two gap walls 152A and 152A' on a gap filler 150. The figure shows the gap filler 150 having a right retaining strap 158, a left retaining strap 156, a retainer 160, and a closable opening 504.

The closable opening 504 is shown with a zipper. The closable opening 504 may be opened to add filler or remove filler from the gap filler 150. The gap filling member 150 may be a fabric container filled with filler. When the first gap pocket region generating device 101 is installed, the padding will be compressed between the seat and the adjacent barrier (e.g. center console). More filler may need to be added to make the fitting tighter, thereby keeping the gap pocket generating device in place, or the filler may need to be removed, so that the gap pocket generating device can be mounted between the seat and the adjacent barrier. Although closable opening 504 is shown as a zipper, closable opening 504 may take other configurations, such as hook and loop fasteners, or ties or any device that can cause closable opening 504 to close. The closable opening 504 is shown at the bottom, but it may be located at other locations on the gap filler 150.

Fig. 6 shows a back side view of the first gap pocket region creating device 101 with a back gap wall 152A' on the gap filler 150. The figure shows the left 156 and right 158 retaining straps and the side walls 404 of the retainer 160.

Fig. 7 shows a front side view of first gap pocket region creating device 101 with front gap wall 152A. The figure shows the side wall 404 of the retainer 160.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a second gap pocket region creation device 102 with a gap filler 150 and two gap walls 152B and 152B ', the gap walls 152B and 152B ' having longitudinal square compressible dividers 154B and 154B '. Longitudinal square compressible dividers 154B and 154B 'have divider closable openings 802B and 802B', respectively. The divider closable openings 802B and 802B' are shown with zippers. The divider closable openings 802B and 802B 'allow for the addition or removal of filler to or from the longitudinal square compressible dividers 154B and 154B' to help achieve the proper amount of filler in the dividers, as discussed previously with respect to closable opening 504. Although closable openings 802B and 802B ' are shown as zippers, closable openings 802B and 802B ' may take other configurations, such as hook and loop fasteners, or ties or any other device that can cause closable openings 802B and 802B ' to close.

Fig. 9A shows a perspective view of a third gap pocket region creating device 103 having a gap filler 150 and two gap walls 152C and 152C ', said gap walls 152C and 152C ' having longitudinally compressible cylindrical dividers 154C and 154C '.

Fig. 9B shows a perspective view of the third gap pocket region creating device 103 where the two gap walls 152C and 152C' are moved to different positions on the gap filler 150.

Fig. 10A shows a perspective view of a fourth gap pocket region creation means 104 with a gap filler 150 and two gap walls 152D and 152D ', said gap walls 152D and 152D ' having longitudinally compressible triangular (cross-sectional) dividers 154D and 154D '.

Fig. 10B shows a perspective view of fourth gap-pocket region creating device 104, in which two gap walls 152D and 152D' are moved to different positions on gap filler 150.

Fig. 11A shows a perspective view of a fifth gap pocket region creation device 105 with a gap filler 150 and two gap walls 152E and 152E ', said gap walls 152E and 152E ' having longitudinal oval (cross-sectional) partitions 154E and 154E '.

Fig. 11B shows a perspective view of the fifth gap pocket region creating device 105, where the two gap walls 152E and 152E' are moved to different positions on the gap filler 150.

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a sixth interstitial pocket-like region-creating device 106 with an interstitial filler 150 and two interstitial walls 152F and 152F ', with the interstitial walls 152F and 152F ' having longitudinally compressible cylinders 1202 and 1202 ' at the ends of separator strips 1204 and 1204 ', and hoop bases 1206 and 1206 ', respectively, at the other ends. The divider strips 1204 and 1204' may allow the spacer to be adjusted in the vertical direction. The separator strips 1204 and 1204' may be made of a stretchable material. The separator strips 1204 and 1204' may be rolled out or rolled up to allow adjustment of the length of the strips and thus the vertical length.

The gap wall 152F has a longitudinally compressible cylinder 1202 that may be large enough to ensure it is not pulled down into the gap between the seat and the adjacent surface, while depending from the longitudinally compressible cylinder 1202 is a divider strip 1204 that may be resilient and extends down to a hoop base 1206 connected to the gap filler 150. Although only one centrally located divider strip 1204 is shown, other configurations are possible. For example, two strips, one at either end of the divider, may be used to better align with the ends of the longitudinal compressible cylinders 1202. Other combinations of materials may also be used, for example between the compressible cylinder and the base, which will enable the walls of the pocket region to be formed, for example a stretchable resilient material, or a combination of elasticity and material to provide a more box-like accordion-like stretchable shape. Other configurations that allow the walls of the pocket region extending between the compressible cylinder and the base to have varying vertical heights are also possible.

The base is shown as a hoop base 1206 that can fit around the gap filler 150 and can slide along the gap filler 150. This allows the pocket area formed between the seat, the adjacent barrier and two spacer walls or one spacer wall and one end piece (e.g. the holder) to be sized according to the needs of the user. The base may simply be an adhesive at the bottom end of the divider. The adhesive may allow the divider to be permanently attached to the gap filler, or the adhesive may allow the divider to be removed from the gap filler and repositioned.

The base may be attached to the gap filler 150 using hook and loop fasteners. On the bottom end of the divider the base may have one side of a hook and loop fastener, the other side of which is on the gap filler 150. Hook and loop fasteners may be sewn into the bottom end of the divider. The hook and loop type base may be a larger piece that extends from the bottom of the separator to the side to form a bottom plate, or the hook and loop piece may extend down from the side of the separator to form a foot or the like. For example, if the base is flat, its bottom may have a hook feature while the gap filler 150 has a loop feature so that the spacer can be repositioned on the gap filler 150 without having to remove the gap filler 150 from the gap. In another example, the base may have feet that hang down and saddle on the gap filler 150, and these feet may have hook or loop features and correspond to features on the gap filler 150. This may allow the spacer to be more rigidly connected to the gap filler agent 150. Any of a variety of other configurations of hook and loop components may be used to attach the base to the gap filler 150.

The base may be attached to the gap filler 150 using one or more buttons. The button may be located at the bottom end of the spacer or at the top of the gap filler 150.

The base may be sewn in place and sewn to the gap filler 150 using sewing. Typically, the spacer walls may be permanently attached and provide a fixedly arranged pocket area. The base may be a stitch connecting the spacer to the spacer.

The base may be made of any material, including but not limited to a padded fabric, which may be a flexible material, such as leather. The gap pocket area generating device having a gap wall creates a pocket area using a gap space between the seat and the adjacent barrier. The use of a spacer allows it to form, together with the sides of the seat and the adjacent barrier, a pocket area with four sides and a bottom. The bottom of the pocket area may have a gap filler 150 with the first side being a seat, the second side being a spacer, the third side being an adjacent barrier, and the fourth side being another spacer or other barrier, such as a retainer 160 or a car seat belt latch.

The adjacent barrier may be any number of items, for example in a car, the adjacent barrier may be a center console; in a building, the adjacent barrier may be a wall adjacent to the seat; in an aircraft, the adjacent barrier may be the fuselage of a perhaps window seat; on a vessel, the adjacent barrier may be the hull beside the seat; in a stadium, the adjacent barrier may be an armrest support of an adjacent seat. The adjacent barrier may be an adjacent seat in a row of seats. The adjacent barrier may be any part close to the seat which leaves a gap into which the gap pocket region generating means may be fitted.

The base may connect the spacer to the gap filler in various ways. The base may connect the spacer to the gap filler 150 using a strap and buckle. The base may use a zipper to connect the spacer to the gap filler 150. The base may use twine or other strings through holes (such as in the form of athletic shoes) to connect the divider to the gap filler 150.

Fig. 13 shows a spacer 152A with a longitudinal square compressible spacer 154A and a ferrule base 1206. The longitudinal square compressible spacer 154A has a length greater than a width, and may itself better align with the gap when installed between the seat and an adjacent barrier. Furthermore, by having a longer body in the longitudinal direction, i.e. aligned with the major axis of the gap filler, it may provide a longer base and make it more likely that the divider will stand upright, thereby providing a pocket area that is more convenient and consistent to create.

Fig. 14 shows a gap wall 152G having a vertical square compressible spacer 154G and a ferrule base 1206 fitted around the gap filler 150. The vertical square compressible dividers 154G can provide advantages such as saving space and creating more pocket area space, and provide well-cleaned square corners.

Any vertically compressible divider can be vertically adjusted. For example, the separator may have two portions: a top with padding and a bottom into which the top slides or folds.

Fig. 15 shows a gap wall 152H having a vertical oval compressible spacer 154H and a hoop base that fits around the gap filler 150. The vertical oblong compressible spacer 154H can slide and adjust the walls of the pocket area more easily than the vertical square compressible spacer 154G (as shown in fig. 14) because it will not hang up at an angle when attempting to slide the vertical oblong compressible spacer 154H after the gap pocket area generating device is installed.

Fig. 16 shows a gap wall 152I having a longer vertical oval compressible spacer 154I and a ferrule base 1206 fitted around the gap filler 150. The longer vertical oblong compressible partition 154I may extend upward above the top of the seat, which may help items placed in the gap pocket area to remain upright and visible.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a seventh gapped pocket region creating device 107, wherein gapped walls 152J and 152J 'are installed in the vehicle between the front driver's seat 1702 and the adjacent barrier (i.e., center console 1704), as shown, and the resulting pocket region is used to hold and organize various items.

Although the gap pocket region generating apparatus is shown to be used between a driver seat and a center console (adjacent barrier) in an automobile, the gap pocket region generating apparatus may be used anywhere where a seat and an adjacent barrier are present. For example, in a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, an airplane, or a boat). Furthermore, the gap pocket area generating device may be used in any place where there is a seat, such as a cinema, a stadium, a bus, a public transportation system (subway, overhead train, train), or any place where there is a seat and an adjacent barrier.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Upon reading the above description, it will be apparent that many embodiments and applications are possible other than the examples provided by the above description. The scope of the application should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is expected that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the systems and methods disclosed herein will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the scope of the present application is capable of modification and variation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art to which they refer unless an explicit indication to the contrary in this application is made. The use of singular articles such as "a," "the," "said," etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a specific limitation to the contrary is stated.

The abstract of the application is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not affect or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, subject matter lies in less than all features of a disclosed embodiment. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims (10)

1. A spacer, comprising:

a divider having a top end and a bottom end; and

a base connected to a bottom end of the partition, wherein,

the base may be connected to the gap filler such that the divider forms a wall of the pocket region when the base is connected to the gap filler and when the gap filler is installed between the seat and an adjacent barrier.

2. The gap wall of claim 1 wherein the base is slidable along the gap filler when the base is coupled to the gap filler.

3. The gap wall of claim 2 wherein the base has a collar that can fit around the gap filler and allow the gap wall to slide along the gap filler.

4. The spacer of claim 3 wherein the spacer is compressible and has an outer fabric creating an inner cavity, and the inner cavity has a filler.

5. The spacer of claim 4 wherein said outer fabric is leather.

6. A gap pocket region generating apparatus, comprising:

a gap filler which is an elongated member having a tail end at one end and a front end at the other end, and

the gap wall is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate,

wherein the spacer comprises a partition and a base,

wherein the divider is connected to the base, and wherein the base is connectable to the gap filler and when connected, the divider extends away from the gap filler.

7. The gap pocket region creating device of claim 6, wherein the front end has a holder with a bottom and side walls that are open at the top to form a housing for holding an item.

8. The gap pocket region generating device as defined in claim 6, wherein said gap wall is compressible.

9. A gap pocket region generating apparatus, comprising:

a gap filler that is an elongated member having a trailing end, a leading end, a left side, a right side, and a bottom side,

wherein the tail end has a left retaining strap on the left side, the left retaining strap being connected with its front and rear portions to a gap filler to create a left side opening into which a first seat belt latch can be threaded for post-assembly,

wherein the tail end has a right retaining strap on the right side, the right retaining strap being connected with its front and rear portions to a gap filler to create a right side opening into which a second seat belt latch can be threaded for post-assembly,

wherein the gap filler has an outer fabric with an inner cavity and the inner cavity has a filler,

wherein the gap filler has a zipper to allow filler to be added to or removed from the cavity,

wherein the front end has a retainer and the retainer has a bottom and a sidewall to form an enclosure that is open at the top, wherein the sidewall is tear-drop shaped when viewed from the top;

the gap wall is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate,

wherein the spacer comprises a partition and a base,

wherein the divider is connected to the base and the base is a hoop that fits around the gap filler and allows the gap wall to slide along the gap filler,

wherein the base is connected to the gap filler and the divider extends away from the gap filler.

10. The gap pocket region creating device of claim 9, wherein said outer fabric is leather.

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