US20050093351A1

US20050093351A1 - Seat edge reinforcer

Info

Publication number: US20050093351A1
Application number: US10/700,128
Authority: US
Inventors: Steve Simianer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-03
Filing date: 2003-11-03
Publication date: 2005-05-05

Abstract

A reinforcer for the edge of a seat has a flexible panel with inner and outer perimeters and tighteners secured to the inner and outer perimeters. The inner and outer perimeters define an opening through which the sitting surface of the seat is accessible. The flexible panel sized and configured to encircle the edge of the seat. The tighteners constrict each perimeter about the seat edge, holding the reinforcer in place upon the edge of the seat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem with seating on outdoor maintenance equipment is that the edge of the seats often suffer disproportionate wear to the sitting surface of the seats. Typically, this is caused by mounting and dismounting from the seat.
Often the seats are made from a foam material covered with a moisture repellant surface. The material covering the edge of the seats often splits, exposing the foam interior. Once the outer covering splits, the seats rapidly become unusable.
Conventionally, when the edge of the seat cover splits, the seats would be replace, often at a high price. In those industries where outdoor maintenance equipment is frequently used in large quantities, such as golf courses, the cost of replacing seats becomes quite high.

DESCRIPTION OF THF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present invention seat edge reinforcer, shown partially cut away and installed on a seat.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat edge reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the seat edge reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat edge reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THF INVENTION

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are a seat 2 and a reinforcer 4. Seat 2 includes an edge 6, a sitting surface 8, and optionally, a supporting surface 10 for supporting a users back. In FIG. 1, reinforcer 2 is shown partially cut away to reveal edge 6 of seat 2.
Seat 2 is any seat where it is useful to support the edges 4 to prevent wear or deterioration in excess of sitting surface 8. Seat 2 is not limited to a seat on outdoor maintenance equipment. In one embodiment, reinforcer 4 reduces the wear on edge 6 of seat 2. In an alternate embodiment, reinforcer 4 covers damaged edge 6 of seat 2.
Reinforcer 4 includes a flexible panel 12 and at least one tightener 14. Flexible panel 12 is tailored to fit edge 6 of seat 2 without covering sifting surface 8 and, optionally, without covering supporting surface 10. Flexible panel 12 is as flexible as is suitable for the purpose of reinforcer 4. In one embodiment, flexible panel 12 is of a durable material suitable for reinforcing edge 6 of seat 2.
Flexible panel 12 has inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters. Inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters define an opening 20. Flexible panel 12 is sized and configured to encircle edge 6 of seat 2 with sitting surface 8, and optionally supporting surface 10, of seat 2 accessible through opening 20.
Tightener 14 is secured at inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters for constricting the perimeters 16, 18 about seat edge 6. Constriction of inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters secures reinforcer 4 onto seat 2. In one embodiment, tightener 14 is a single tightener 14 secured to both inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters. In an alternate embodiment, multiple tighteners 14 are secured at inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters. In one embodiment tightener 14 is a drawstring slidably secured at inner perimeter 16, outer perimeter 18, or both perimeters 16, 18. In an alternate embodiment, tightener 14 is one or more elastic strips flexibly secured at inner 16, outer 18 perimeter, or both perimeters 16, 18 and configured to constrict perimeters 16, 18.
In one embodiment, tightener 14 is further configured to pass through at least one hole 22 in sitting surface 8 of seat 2, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In an alternate embodiment, each tightener 14 is separated from other tighteners 14.
In one embodiment, reinforcer 4 surrounds only sitting surface 8, which is accessible through opening 22. In an alternate embodiment, reinforcer 4 surrounds both sitting surface 8 and supporting surface 10, which are both accessible through the opening 22.
The foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A reinforcer for the edge of a seat having a sitting surface and a supporting surface for supporting a user's back, the reinforcer comprising:

a flexible panel having inner and outer perimeters, the inner and outer perimeters defining an opening against the sitting surface and the supporting surface, the flexible panel sized and configured to encircle the edge of the seat with the sitting surface and the supporting surface of the seat accessible through the opening; and

at least one tightener secured at the inner and outer perimeters for constricting each perimeter about the seat edge.

2. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein the at least one tightener includes a single tightener secured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.

3. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein the at least one tightener includes at least one tightener secured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.

4. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one tighteners is a drawstring.

5. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one tighteners is an elastic strip.

6. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one tighteners secured to the inner perimeter is further configured to pass through at least one hole in the sitting surface of the seat.

7. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein the flexible panel is a durable material.

8. (canceled)

9. A reinforcer for the edge of a seat having a sitting surface and a supporting surface for supporting a user's back, the reinforcer comprising:

a flexible panel tailored to fit the edge of the seat without covering the sitting surface or the supporting surface, the flexible panel having an inner and an outer perimeter, wherein the inner perimeter is configure to fit against the sitting surface and the supporting surface; and

10. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein the at least one tightener includes a single tightener secured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.

11. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein the at least one tightener includes at least one tightener secured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.

12. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein each of the at least one tighteners is a drawstring.

13. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein each of the at least one tighteners is an elastic strip.

14. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein each of the at least one tighteners secured to the inner perimeter is further configured to pass through at least one hole in the sitting surface of the seat.

15. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein the flexible panel is a durable material.

16. (canceled)