US20060103195A1

US20060103195A1 - Automotive headrest cover

Info

Publication number: US20060103195A1
Application number: US10/901,590
Authority: US
Inventors: Edith Stanley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-29
Filing date: 2004-07-29
Publication date: 2006-05-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to after-market headrest covers that include foam rubber padding for enhanced comfort. It is easily installed without the aid of tools. An elastic opening at the base of the hood can be stretched open wide enough to insert and encompass the headrest of the seat. A U-shaped foam rubber padding exists inside the front of the invention to provide needed support and comfort to the driver or passenger. Drivers who travel frequently or need to rest during the workday can now rest their head in added comfort by utilizing the present embodiment. It brings a level of rest or sleep on these occasions that most car owners are unaccustomed to. A variation of the preferred embodiment includes Velcro fasteners sewn into the base of the headrest cover to further secure the cover to the headrest of a car seat, ensuring a snug fit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of interior automobile accessories, and more particularly to interior automobile headrest covers with an added foam rubber pillow inside the hood to provide extra support and comfort. The present invention is a cover for the headrest of an automobile seat. The cover includes padding to improve driver comfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Description of Related Art

Prior art has developed various examples of after-market headrest covers designed for the easy and inexpensive customization of your automobile. Customization of the interior of a vehicle was previously a costly undertaking requiring the removal and reconstruction of the seat itself so that the seat cover or headrest could be sewn on. Any personalization of these items could turn out to be an expensive and time-consuming enterprise. The development of these embodiments enabled the easy installation or changeability of a car owner's interior design. Previous embodiments were created with different optional automobile manufacturer's logos embroidered into the headrest for the purpose of personalizing your car's interior. These embodiments could be constructed from a variety of materials identical to the fabric of the chosen manufacturer and matching the manufacturers logo.
Prior art was also designed for easy installation and removal, and could be secured onto the headrest or seat with a variety of novel closure systems. Said systems included the employment of Velcro hooks and loops, zippers, buttons, and/or snaps. When these methods of attachment were properly utilized, the headrest cover would be effectively secured onto the seat or headrest, and the closure system itself would become virtually undetectable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,545 issued on May 13, 1999 to inventors Perthuis et al of France. This patent describes a covering for an automotive seat, not specifically a headrest.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,129 issued on Nov. 8, 1994 to inventors Y. Itoh and M. Akiyama of Japan. They describe a casing for a particular type of cantilevered headrest.
U.S. Des. 359,192 issued on Jun. 13, 1995 to inventor K. Franklin III of Mobile, Ala. This is a design patent only for a combination backrest and headrest. It is designed to be attached to the front of an automobile seat.
US 2003/164,630 of publication date Sep. 4, 2003 is a recent patent application by inventors K. McKinney and L. Yopp of Gainesville, Fla. They applied for a patent on a headrest cover with a claimed novel closure mechanism. There is no padding in this invention.
PCT application WO9634777, published Jun. 11, 1996, by inventor Scott Junk, describes a headrest cover that is more decorative than functional.
Finally, in Canadian patent CA2020116, published on Dec. 29, 1991, inventor Paul Parliament discloses a washable headrest cover with elasticized closure. Again, no padding is disclosed in this patent.
None of these references, or any others known to be present in the prior art, disclose the invention herein described and presented.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide protection to an existing headrest and comfort to the user via the enclosed padding inside the front of the headrest cover.
It is a further object of the present invention to protect new headrests or to cover existing old or unsightly headrests.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new look and added comfort to the passenger compartment of an automobile.
Another object of the invention is to provide an easily installed accessory to an automobile seat and headrest.
A further object of the invention is to facilitate the ease of apparent replacement of an automobile seat headrest, or the visible surface thereof.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a headrest cover that is easily removed for cleaning and/or replacement without the need of tools.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 displays a front view of the present embodiment, as it would appear covering an existing headrest. The headrest is shown in dashed lines, and is not part of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the present embodiment featuring a band of elastic material at the bottom to conform and properly fit an existing headrest.
FIG. 3 is a view of the first piece of material (Part A) used in the process to make the current invention.
FIG. 4 is a view of the second piece of material (Part B) used in the process to make the current invention.
FIG. 5 is a view of the intermediate structure formed by the joining of Part A and Part B.
FIG. 6 is a view of the third piece of material (Part C) used in the process to make the current invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the full invention at the intermediate stage where all three major pieces are first combined.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the full invention at the intermediate stage where elastic material is added.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the full invention at the intermediate stage where all components are combined.
FIG. 10 is a view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in position covering the headrest of an automobile seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
FIG. 1 reveals a front view of the present embodiment featuring a horseshoe-shaped padding element 5 (inside) to cushion the rear of the head for comfort. The present embodiment is available in many common automobile interior colors to properly match the interior of the automobile. The present invention is comprised of a smooth vinyl 1 for comfort and durability as well as appearance. The present embodiment offers protection and comfort via enclosed padding 5 (inside, shown in dashed lines) to protect new headrests or to cover existing old or unsightly headrests with a new look and added comfort.
FIG. 2: A front view of the present embodiment featuring an elastic material 4 to properly conform and fit an existing headrest. The elastic material residing at the bottom end of the present embodiment 4 ensures a tight and true fit to any existing headrest. This feature enables the present embodiment to tightly conform to the existing shape of the headrest while making sure it looks flawless and stays secure 1. An alternate version of the present embodiment utilizes Velcro (not shown) to further secure the present embodiment to the existing headrest in addition to the elastic material 4 ensuring true fit and security. Visible through the headrest vinyl 1 is the padded insert 5 (inside), which resembles a horseshoe in shape. This feature of the present embodiment results in enhanced comfort for the driver. The padding insert in the present embodiment acts as a firm pillow to add comfort to the driver when leaning back in the seat. This enables the driver to use the present embodiment as a pillow when resting or sleeping in the car seat. This is advantageous in the case of driving long distances or taking rest breaks when tired. The car seat becomes a welcome rest bed utilizing the present embodiment as a firm pillow to encourage restful sleep in comfort when tired. This example is not intended to be the sole interpretation of the embodiment of the present invention or to limit the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention is a padded cover for an automobile headrest. It is designed to provide protection to an existing headrest and comfort to the user via the enclosed padding inside the front of the headrest cover. It is a further object of the present invention to protect new headrests or to cover existing old or unsightly headrests, providing a new look and added comfort. It is easily installed by stretching the elastic around the periphery of the opening at the base of the headrest and enclosing the headrest in the hood of the invention. It is easily removed for cleaning and/or replacement without the aid of tools.
The invention is padded to provide extra comfort for the occupant of the seat. Most automobile headrests are designed primarily for safety purposes, with comfort not necessarily a high priority in headrest design. The present invention contemplates a headrest cover that is padded by means of a unique U-shaped bolt of foam rubber sewn into the inside of the cover.
An alternate design of the preferred embodiment includes Velcro fasteners to enable a tighter, more secure fit. This will provide added stability in addition to the security offered by the 1″ elastic band sewn into the opening at the base of the cover. The present invention utilizes the philosophy of the car owner who purchases a car seat cover to hide the old, unsightly or damaged car seats with a new and improved look.
A further object of the present invention utilizes the philosophy of the car owner who purchases a car seat cover to protect the new seats indefinitely while adding comfort and improved appearance. This concept is adopted and enhanced by the present embodiment by adding comfort at the headrest where none has previously existed. The foam rubber inserted into the hood of the cover in a U-shaped formation of the present embodiment serves as a pillow to comfort the car owner. This concept is further enhanced if the car owner utilizes the seats of the car to rest or sleep on long trips, lunch breaks, etc.
Manufacturing Directions
Begin with a cylinder of foam rubber in one solid piece, and two identical pieces of material (cloth, leather, or synthetic). The foam rubber must be of the right density and 3 inches in diameter, with the length to be 18-20 inch. The three pieces of material are to be sized about 250% larger than the front surface of an automotive headrest. In the following description of these three pieces of material, the largest piece is named part A, the first smaller piece is named part B, and the other smaller piece is named part C. Refer to the drawings as indicated during the following directions.
Step 1 [FIG. 3]: Fold part (A) in half at the midpoint fold line, match up notches and pin together between 0 marks on either side.
Step 2 [FIG. 4]: On part (B), stitch darts together trim excess to ¼ inch to reduce bulk.
Step 3. [FIG. 5]: Lay part (A) on top of the wrong side of part (B). Match up notches pin and sew together.
Step 4 [FIG. 6]: Place part (C) and part (B) with right sides together. Match up notches and pin and sew together.
Step 5. [FIG. 7]: To allow for flexibility, slash the seam allowance on both sides of the curve.
Step 6. [FIG. 8]: Stitch 1-inch elastic to the bottom raw edge of the fabric. Fold back twice and top stitch to finish the edge.
Step 7. [FIG. 9]: Fold foam piece in half—lengthwise. Form a “horseshoe” shape with the foam cylinder. Squeeze the ends together and insert ends first into the lining pocket. Adjust the foam into a “horseshoe” shape so it's evenly distributed in the lining pocket.
Step 8. [FIG. 10]: Turn the completed piece right side out, place on the headrest of a car by sliding it over the top, with the foam facing forward. Pull down on both sides to smooth it out.
While the Invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms, which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. The cover for the headrest of a seat, comprising:

a hood comprised of fabric material, open at one end;

closure means at said open end;

padding material fixedly attached to the inside of at least one side of said hood; and

wherein said padding material is molded so as to conform to the general contours of the back of a user's head.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein said closure means comprise a drawstring.

3. The cover of claim 1, wherein said closure means comprise an elastic hand.

4. The cover of claim 1, wherein said closure means comprise hook and loop material.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein said fabric material comprise cloth.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein said fabric material comprise leather.

7. The cover of claim 1, wherein said fabric material comprise synthetic plastic.

8. The cover of claim 1, wherein said padding comprise foam rubber.

9. The cover of claim 8, wherein said padding material comprise a single, foam rubber cylinder molded into a U-shape.

10. The cover of claim 1, wherein said cover fits comfortably over the headrest of an automobile seat.

11. The cover for the headrest of a car seat, comprising:

a hood comprised of fabric material, open at one end;

closure means at said open end;

wherein said padding material is molded in a U-shape so as to conform to the general contours of the back of a user's head.