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Multi-layered covering article

Multi-layered covering article description/claims

This invention relates generally to multi-purpose seat covering articles for automotive, vacation, and various other general uses. Specifically, this invention relates to a multi-purpose seat covering comprising three or more layers, designed to effectively protect an underlying article or seat while providing comfort and flexibility of use to the purchaser.

Seat covering articles are known in the prior art dating back to the first chair. In general, a seat covering is designed to protect a seat and/or provide comfort to the user. In many cases, moisture, heat, or some other environmental condition necessitates the need for protection and/or comfort. The use of a garment between the user and the seat generally serves such a purpose.

Similarly, beach towels have long been a staple of American life, particularly in the summer months when trips to the beach or pool are in order. In general, most beach towels are comprised of an oversized, rectangular bath towel, and are generally made of cotton or a similar water-absorbent material. One common use of a beach towel is the placement of the article in a chair for use as a seat covering. Specifically, a beach towel may be placed on an automobile seat to protect the seat from moisture, or to protect a person from a very hot car seat caused by the sun's radiation on a hot day. A beach towel or the like may also be placed on a pool chair or outdoor lounge chair for comfort and moisture absorption. In addition, beach towels are often carried to sporting events, such as football or baseball games, and are used to cushion the stadium seats or bleachers.

In the prior art, a number of multiple function protective garments are available, some of which may be used as a seat covering in some situations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,670 (to Schluter) features a combination beach towel and bath robe article. In general, the Schluter article is a generally triangular beach towel which features a large central opening in the towel through which an individual may insert his head in order to convert the towel into a robe. The construction of the article includes a large flap which covers the aforementioned central opening and may be releasably attached to the towel to secure the opening thereby permitting sand from entering the opening when used as a conventional beach towel. One end of the towel may be configured to form a pocket in order to receive the upper end of a car seat.

Another combination article is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,118 (to Hensley) which describes and claims a combination beach towel and carrying bag. The Hensley combination comprises a first circular panel having a perirhinal reinforced portion with inner and outer edges and containing grommet holes and a draw cord passing through the holes. The periphery further includes an inflatable bladder and a removably detachable circular towel is provided. Although novel in many respects, Hensley is a novelty article of limited application. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,828 (to Otley et al.) features a combination beach towel and tote bag. The combination is generally comprised of a rectangular beach towel formed of a flexible absorbent material and a second smaller, multi-paneled rectangular towel. The smaller towel overlies the upper portion of the large towel and the two are stitched together along the center and periphery of the small towel. The towel converts to a tote bag configuration by folding it twice along the transverse axis and once along the longitudinal access. It is anchored together by securing snaps, loops or other conventional anchoring devices.

Several patents are available in the prior art that deal specifically with devices or covering articles designed such that the covering retains its position on a chair. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,540 (to Pegram) is a combination beach towel and chair covering wherein a large beach towel is modified to include one or more elastic strap at one end as well as angularly arranged elastic straps at the opposite ends of the towel such that they may be stretched over the frame of a lounge chair or other structural members of the chair to retain the towel in place. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,520 (to Conway et al.) sets forth clip assemblies for keeping towels or sheets in place upon an article over which it is stretched. The Conway article is somewhat complicated and is more appropriately directed to keeping a sheet in place. The assembly includes clipped sections which are pivotally movable relative to each other and spring biased to hold them in place. The various clip assemblies are arranged on the outer perimeter of the garment and essentially stretch the garment against the frame of the supporting device. It is shown and indicated in Conway that this arrangement can be used on beach towels covering a lawn chair or other seat assembly as well as bed sheets and the like.

Other arrangements for maintaining a protective article in place can be found in several special purpose patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,536 (to Conners). Other relevant patents include U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,152 (to Zeller); U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,968 (to Emmanuel et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,182 (to Townsend); U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,234 (to Daniels) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,184 (to Kofoed).

Generally, when a beach towel is used as a moisture absorbent protective article, several significant challenges are presented. Specifically, when a beach towel is placed over an automobile seat, it is difficult to make the beach towel stay in place during driving. More frequently, the beach towel will slide down into the bottom of the seat between the back and seat cushion of the automobile seat. The same experience is often found on lounge chairs, folding chairs or other similar items. Accordingly, the user is often required to re-adjust the beach towel during use. Another important limitation of a beach towel in use as a seat cover is the fact that it is a single layer article. As a moisture absorbing cloth such as cotton, for example, the article will absorb moisture such as sweat, rain, or water, which will normally soak through to the other side of the towel in a short time. This problem is evident when a wet pet, such as a dog, is placed in the front or rear seat with only a towel to protect the fabric of the seat. Moisture and the pet odor that comes with it may quickly soak through to the other side. As such, a need is evident requiring an easy and effective article which absorbs moisture yet also includes a barrier to prevent the moisture from being transferred to the protected surface and/or fabric.

When a beach towel is carried to a sporting event, the article may serve a number of secondary functions in addition to the primary functions of cushioning and moisture absorption. The article may also serve as a banner for message display including messages of team spirit and advertiser endorsements. Since the nature of the sporting event might change throughout the year, it would be advantageous to have an article that may feature interchangeable components or panels. In addition, users may wish to personalize the article while still appreciating that some elements of the article need to remain constant for easy adaptation to the seat or cushion to be protected.

In one aspect of the embodiments, a protective article is disclosed comprising a first layer and a second layer, means for coupling the first layer and the second layer, the first layer comprising an absorbent material, and the second layer comprising a moisture impermeable material. This aspect may further comprise an additional layer, wherein the first layer is disposed between the additional layer and the second layer, and the additional layer comprises a light weight material.

In another aspect of the embodiments, a multi-functional protective article or cover is disclosed, the article comprising an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, the intermediate layer disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the upper layer comprising a light weight material, the intermediate layer comprising an absorbent material, and the lower layer comprising a moisture impermeable material. This aspect of the embodiments may further provide that the intermediate layer is coupled to the upper layer about one surface and is coupled to the lower layer about an opposing surface. This aspect of the embodiments may further comprise means for coupling the upper layer and the intermediate layer and for coupling the intermediate layer and the lower layer.

In another aspect of the embodiments, a multi-functional article or cover system is disclosed, the system comprising a plurality of upper layers, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, the intermediate layer disposed between one of the upper layers and the lower layer, each one of the upper layers comprising indicia different from the other upper layers, each one of the upper layers selectively interchangeable to display different indicia, the selected upper layer comprising a light weight material, the intermediate layer comprising an absorbent material, and the lower layer comprising a moisture impermeable material. This aspect of the embodiments may further provide that the intermediate layer is coupled to the upper layer about one surface and is coupled to the lower layer about an opposing surface. This aspect of the embodiments may further comprise means for coupling the upper layer and the intermediate layer and for coupling the intermediate layer and the lower layer.

With respect to the various aspects of the embodiments described above, means for coupling the respective layers may comprise hook and loop material and/or mechanical connectors.

With respect to the various aspects of the embodiments described above, the absorbent material may comprise cotton and/or microfiber.

With respect to the various aspects of the embodiments described above, moisture impermeable material comprises vinyl.

As discussed above, the method and device of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this invention is based may readily be utilized as the basis for other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the specification be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

Furthermore, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the invention in any way.

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• Utility Patent

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