GB2283167A

GB2283167A - Cover for vehicle headrest

Info

Publication number: GB2283167A
Application number: GB9322297A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-29
Filing date: 1993-10-29
Publication date: 1995-05-03
Also published as: GB9322297D0

Abstract

A cover (1) for an automobile headrest, comprises flexible sheet material configured to enclose the headrest and conform with its external surface. it may be held in place by a closure comprising overlapping flaps (13) of hook and loop fabric. <IMAGE>

Description

HEADREST COVERS FOR VEHICLES This invention relates to headrest covers for vehicles.

It is known to provide removable headrest napkins on the headrests of public transport seats.

These napkins are either disposable, or can be removed and laundered for re-use. Such napkins promote hygiene and prolong the life of the material of the headrest by protecting it from natural hair oils as well as hair creams and hair sprays. It is also known to provide antimacassors consisting of pieces of cloth which cover the headrest and arms of chairs to prevent soiling.

The present invention provides a cover for an automobile headrest, which headrest is of a type which is supported in spaced relationships to an automobile seat in use, the cover comprising flexible sheet material configured to substantially enclose the headrest in conformal contact with an external surface of the headrest and further comprising a closable opening facilitating fitting and removal of the cover to and from the headrest.

An advantage of such covers is to protect occupants from soiled headrests by providing covers which can be removed periodically for cleansing. Such covers may also be used to enhance the appearance of an automobile interior.

Preferably the sheet material is sanforized shrunk linen or linen textured material. Preferably the cover encloses the headrest substantially in conformal contact with an external surface of the headrest.

The closable opening facilitates fitting and removal of the cover to and from the headrest and is preferably provided with releasable fastening means.

The fastening means ensure a close fitting of the cover to the headrest. Advantageously, the releasable fastening means comprises a hook loop fastener. Such a fastener enable quick securing and releasing of the cover from the headrest. Advantageously, the material of the cover is washable including any releasable fastening means.

The headrest covers may be personalised with marking, for example embroidery or imprinting. The covers may be customised with a person or company name or logo and even used as a promotional item.

Advantageously, the cover encloses substantially all of the headrest with the exception of areas to which any headrest supporting members are attached.

Such supporting members are usually a pair of cylindrical lengths of metal or plastics material which support the headrest in spaced relationship with the vehicle seat.

Preferably the cover is secured over the headrest by further releasable fastening means which preferably comprises a hook loop fastener.

After fitting the opening of the cover may be situated on the underside of the headrest. This provides for a more attractive appearance of the covered headrest and allows for any releasable fastening means provided for the opening to be at least partially hidden.

Preferably the opening in the cover enables the cover to be fitted on the headrest without prior removal of headrest supporting members by having one or more cut outs through which respective supporting members extend in use and wherein each cut out communicates with the opening. This allows for faster removal and replacement of headrest covers.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is front view of a cover fitted to a vehicle headrest; Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the cover of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view of the cover of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown the front portion 3 of a vehicle headrest cover 1 covering a vehicle headrest which is vertically displaced from a vehicle seat (not shown) by two supporting members 5.

The headrest cover 1 has distinctively coloured piping 7 along seams joined in the sheet material of which the cover is manufactured. The piping and material have colours which are complimentary to the vehicle interior. The sheet material is sanforized shrunk linen.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown the underside portion 9 and partially the rear portion 11 of the headrest cover 1. Overlapping edges 13 of the underside portion 9 of the headrest cover 1 indicate the location of a closable opening in the headrest cover 1 enabling it to be fitted over the vehicle headrest. Cut outs 20 in the underside portion 9 of the headrest cover 1 are provided to allow for the headrest supporting members 5 to extend through the cover and the cut outs communicate with the opening by means of slits 21 to allow the cover to be fitted without removal of the members from the headrest.

A releasable fastner 15 of the hook loop fabric type is operable between edge portions of the material adjacent the edges 13 to allow the opening to be held closed after fitting of the cover 1 to the headrest.

Figure 3 shows a side portion 17, the rear portion 11 and the underside portion 9 of the headrest cover 1. Also shown is a side view of a headrest supporting member 5 and distinctively coloured piping 7 along the seams of the headrest cover 1.

It is envisaged that covers of different shape will be required to fit different headrest designs while retaining the above principles of construction.

Claims

1. A cover for an automobile headrest, which headrest is of a type which is supported in spaced relationships to an automobile seat in use, the cover comprising flexible sheet material configured to substantially enclose the headrest in conformal contact with an external surface of the headrest and further comprising a closable opening facilitating fitting and removal of the cover to and from the headrest.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet material is sanforized shrunk linen or linen textured material.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the opening is provided with releasable fastening means.

4. A cover as claimed in any one of claims 3 wherein the releasable fastening means comprises a hook-loop fastener.

5. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material is washable.

6. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim comprising marking applied to the sheet material.

7. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim which encloses substantially all of the headrest with the exception of areas to which any headrest supporting members are attached.

8. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover is secured is the headrest by further releasable fastening means.

9. A cover as claimed in claim 8 wherein the further releasable fastening means comprises a hook-loop fastener.

10. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein after fitting the opening is situated on the underside of the headrest.

11. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim comprising one or more cut outs through which one or more respective supporting members of the headrest extend in use and wherein each cut out communicates with the opening thereby enabling the cover to be fitted on the headrest without prior removal of headrest supporting members.

12. A cover for an automobile headrest substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.