Patent Grant
9039092
1. Technical Field
Aspects of this document relate generally to automobile seat covers.
2. Background Art
Automobile seat covers are an accessory that has become common among consumers as they try to protect their automobile investment. Various seat covers allow consumers to not only protect their seats from the usual wear and tear, but also allow the consumer to add their own custom style and/or personality to the vehicle. Technology in automobiles, however, has advanced through the years, including the incorporation of airbags and other safety within the car's seat. The addition of seat covers often impairs the use of the seat airbags and safety devices due to the airbag release ports and safety device openings being covered by the seat cover.
Aspects of an automobile seat cover may comprise a seat cover body comprising an outer perimeter, a seat cover skirt comprising a first edge sewn with an overlock stitch to the seat cover body for a majority of the outer perimeter, and a second edge, distal from the first edge, comprising a tie element extending for a majority of the second edge around a seat opening in the seat cover, wherein at least one portion of the seat cover skirt and the seat cover body are sewn together with one of a straight stitch and a lock stitch instead of the overlock stitch, the at least one portion positioned on the seat cover corresponding to a location of at least one airbag installed in an automobile seat over which the seat cover is to be placed.
Particular embodiments and implementations may comprise one or more of the following features. The at least one portion of the seat cover skirt and the seat cover body may comprise at least two portions of the seat cover skirt and the seat cover body sewn together with the one of a straight stitch and a lock stitch instead of the overlock stitch, the at least two portions positioned on the opposing edges of the seat cover body. The overlock stitch may use a first string color and the one of a straight stitch and a lock stitch uses a second string color different from the first string color. The second string color may be a brightly colored string color. The second string color may be orange. Each of the seat cover skirt and the seat cover body may comprise overlock stitching along their respective perimeters. The seat cover body may further comprise a padded surface layer.
Aspects of an automobile seat cover may comprise an automobile seat cover comprising a seat cover body comprising an outer perimeter, and a seat cover skirt comprising at least one first edge portion, stitched by a first stitch to the seat cover body for a majority of an outer perimeter of the seat cover body, at least two second edge portions opposing each other on the outer perimeter of the seat cover body, each second edge portion stitched by a second stitch different from the first stitch for a remainder of a stitched outer perimeter portion of the seat cover body, wherein the second stitch is weaker and more prone to breakage than the first stitch, and a tie element coupled to the seat cover skirt distal from the first edge portion and the second edge portions, the tie element extending for a majority of the seat cover skirt around a seat opening in the seat cover, wherein a majority of the first and second edges of the seat cover body and the seat cover skirt comprise an overlock stitch, and wherein the at least one second edge is positioned on an automobile seat cover corresponding to at least one airbag installed in an automobile seat over which the seat cover is to be placed.
Particular embodiments and implementations may comprise one or more of the following features. The first stitch may comprise at least an overlock stitch. Each of the seat cover skirt and the seat cover body may be separately finished with an overlock stitch and subsequently stitched together. The first stitch may be at least one of a cover stitch, an overlock stitch, a zigzag stitch, two parallel straight stitches and two parallel lock stitches. The second stitch may include one of a single straight stitch and a single lock stitch.
Aspects of a method of making a seat cover may comprise sewing a seat cover body to a seat cover skirt for a majority of an outer perimeter of the seat cover body and a first edge of the seat cover skirt with a first stitch, sewing at least a first portion of the seat cover body to a first portion of the first edge of the seat cover skirt with a second stitch different from and weaker than the first stitch, the first portion of the first edge of the seat cover skirt, the first portion of the first edge of the seat cover skirt positioned on the seat cover skirt corresponding to a location of at least one airbag installed in an automobile seat over which the seat cover is to be placed, and sewing a tie element to a majority of a second edge of the seat cover skirt opposite the first edge of the seat cover skirt.
Particular embodiments and implementations may comprise one or more of the following features. The first stitch may be an overlock stitch. Each of the seat cover skirt and the seat cover body may be separately finished with an overlock stitch and subsequently stitched together. The first stitch may include at least one of a cover stitch, an overlock stitch, a zigzag stitch, two parallel straight stitches and two parallel lock stitches. The second stitch may be one of a single straight stitch and a single lock stitch.
Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Description, Drawings, or Claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 are sought to be invoked to define the claimed disclosure, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 are invoked to define the claimed disclosure, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.
The disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the intended automobile seat cover and/or assembly procedures for an automobile seat cover will become apparent for use with implementations of the automobile seat cover from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular automobile seat covers are disclosed, such automobile seat covers and implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in the art for such automobile seat covers and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation of an automobile seat cover.
In various particular embodiments of the automobile seat cover 2, the second stitching 12 is made from thread of a first color, whereas the first stitching 14 is made from thread of a second color different from the first color. In particular embodiments, the second stitching 12 is made of a brightly colored thread, allowing a user to easily determine the location of the second stitching, and corresponding location for airbag positioning, on the automobile seat cover. For example, a bright orange thread may be used.
It will be understood that implementations are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for the automobile seat cover may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, although particular automobile seat covers may be disclosed, such components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for an automobile seat cover may be used.
In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of an automobile seat cover, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other automobile seat covers. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
This document claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/429,685 entitled “SAFETY STITCH FOR CAR SEAT COVERS” to Ken Krankkala which was filed on Jan. 4, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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