Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
HEADREST COVER HOLDER SYSTEM
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application 17/024,171
filed
September 17, 2020 and U.S. application 17/024,244 filed September 17, 2020.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to the field of storage and
mounting
devices and more specifically relates to a storage device attachable to a
headrest.
BACKGROUND
[0003] People often travel using bus, train and airplane. As a form of
entertainment to help pass time, some buses, trains and airplanes have
incorporated built-
in video entertainment units. Many buses, trains and airplanes now incorporate
individual
entertainment units for each passenger, which are often located in the upper
seatbacks of
passenger seats. However, often only a limited number of programming options
are
available on such displays. Personal electronic devices, such as tablets,
computers,
smartphones and mobile gaming platforms, offer additional entertainment
options in
comparison to the individual entertainment units. Personal electronic devices
usually
allow a user to store and customize their own content, so that they are not
limited to the
content then-stored in an individual entertainment unit. Unfortunately, a user
must hold a
personal electronic device in one's hands or place it on a fold-down tray
table. Holding a
personal electronic device for extended periods can lead to fatigue and
discomfort. The
use of a tray table may not provide an optimum viewing angle, and in any
event, the tray
table is often occupied during in-transit meals or unable to use due the
seatbelt indictor
light is on during flight which passengers still desire the use of their
personal electronic
devices. A suitable solution is desired.
SUMMARY
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2
[0004] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a seat assembly
includes a seat
with a headrest having a front surface defining a protuberance. A headrest
cover includes
a sleeve that defines a chamber having a first opening and a second opening.
The seat
extends through the first opening such that the headrest is at least partially
contained
within the chamber and the protuberance extends through the second opening.
[0005] Accordingly, the cover can accommodate headrests having bulges
or
protuberances. The headrest cover may include elastic portions that enable the
cover to
be elastically deformed to accommodate the bulge or protuberance during
installation of
the cover, and return to its unstressed size and shape for a snug fit after
installation,
which provides added stability of the cover and improved aesthetics.
[0006] A corresponding headrest cover and a method of use are also
provided.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the
present
disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the
best modes
for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
[0007] In an aspect, a headrest cover for a seat having a headrest
includes a sleeve
defining a chamber and a first opening to the chamber. The chamber is sized
and shaped
to at least partially contain the headrest. The first opening is sized and
positioned such
that at least a portion of the headrest is insertable into the chamber through
the first
opening. A bracket member is attached to the sleeve. A fastening element is
attached to
the bracket member and is configured to engage with an electronic device
holder to
connect the electronic device holder to the sleeve. The bracket member
provides
enhanced stability to an electronic device holder attached thereto, and,
correspondingly,
to any electronic device held by the device holder.
[0008] In one embodiment, the sleeve defines a second opening to the
chamber,
and the bracket member defines an aperture. The bracket member is attached to
the
sleeve such that the aperture is aligned with the second opening to the
chamber. The
cover improves upon the prior art by permitting access to the rearward portion
of the
headrest via the second opening. For example, the rearward portion of the
headrest may
contain printed matter such as magazines or flight safety instructions, or a
pre-existing
Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
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video screen, which will be visible and/or accessible to a passenger behind
the seat
through the second opening and the aperture of the bracket. The bracket
permits the
attachment to the sleeve of an electronic device by a passenger to enable
hands-free
viewing of the electronic device. The alignment of the aperture of the bracket
with the
second opening provides enhanced stability to the electronic device while not
obstructing
the second opening.
[0009] More specifically, the aperture enables the bracket to engage
the sleeve
and the headrest over a wide surface area without obstructing the second
opening, and
thus without obstructing access to the rear of the headrest. Accordingly, a
passenger to
the rear of the seat will be able to connect a personal electronic device to
the headrest
cover for easier viewing while maintaining access to any device or material
attached
directly to the headrest.
[0010] A corresponding method is also provided.
[0011] The above features and advantages and other features and
advantages of
the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the
best modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the headrest cover holder system
during an
"in-use" condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the headrest cover holder
system of FIG.
1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the headrest cover holder
system of FIG.
1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the headrest cover holder system
of FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the headrest cover holder system
of FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
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[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the headrest cover holder system
of FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another headrest cover
holder system
in accordance with the claimed invention installed on a headrest;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the headrest cover holder
system of
Fig. 6 installed on the headrest;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front, perspective view of the headrest cover holder
system of
Fig. 6 in a position relative to the seat assembly prior to installation;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a rear, perspective view of the headrest cover holder
system of
Fig. 6 in a position relative to the seat assembly prior to installation
[0022] FIG. 10 is a rear, perspective, exploded view of the headrest
cover holder
system of Fig. 6; and
[0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic, cross-sectional, side view of the
headrest cover
holder system of Fig. 7 installed on a headrest with a screen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate
to a
storage and mounting device and more particularly to a headrest cover holder
system as
used to improve the storage and mounting of a personal electronic device on a
headrest.
[0025] Generally, the invention is a sleeve or headrest cover for a
seat on a bus,
train or airplane that holds a tablet or other electronic device. Passengers
no longer have
use a folding tray behind an aircraft seat to place their electronic device.
The headrest
cover holder system includes a leather/vinyl (or other suitable material for
hygienic
cleaning) sleeve that may be placed over the headrest. The device includes a
padded
cushion on a front side for additional comfort and relaxation for passengers.
The headrest
cover holder system provides hands free comfort for passengers and eliminated
the need
to share a folding tray with beverages/food. A user no longer needs to use
one's lap/knees
or hands as a placeholder for an electronic device. The device may be used
with any type
of BLUETOOTH device on buses, trains and airplanes with the folding tray
acting as a
desk/placeholder. Adjustable angle settings may be provided for various
viewing. The
Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
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device maintains full access to a screen, and all universal ports, speakers,
microphones,
cameras on an electronic device.
[0026] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of
reference,
there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a headrest cover holder system
100. FIG. 1
shows a headrest cover holder system 100 during an 'in-use' condition 150,
according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the headrest cover
holder system
100 may include a sleeve 110 having a closed top-end 120, an open bottom-end
124, a
front-surface 130, a rear-surface 160 including at least one cut-out 162, and
an electronic
device mount 164, and a fastener 166. The sleeve 110 comprises the closed top-
end 120,
the open bottom-end 124, the front-surface 130, the rear-surface 160, and the
fastener 166
in functional combination. The sleeve 110 is configured to be removably
installed on a
headrest 5 of a seat 10 on a passenger-vehicle.
[0027] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a perspective views of the headrest cover
holder
system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As
above,
the headrest cover holder system 100 may include the sleeve 110 having the
closed top-
end 120, the open bottom-end 124, the front-surface 130, the rear-surface 160
including
at least one cut-out 162, and the electronic device mount 164, and the
fastener 166. The
front-surface 130 is positioned on a front-side of a headrest 5, the closed
top-end 120 is
positioned on a top of the headrest 5, and the rear-surface 160 is positioned
adjacent a
rear-side of the headrest 5 during an in-use condition. As shown in FIG. 2B,
the sleeve
110 may include a stretchable and expandable material to allow the device to
retro-fit a
head rest wing of certain aircraft chairs that have a head rest wing.
Therefore, passengers
have access to the head rest wing for adjusting side flaps of the head rest
wing.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the
headrest cover
holder system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. As
above, the headrest cover holder system 100 may include the sleeve 110. The
sleeve 110
is flexible and comprises washable material such as leather, vinyl, or other
suitable
material allowing the device to be cleaned and wiped down to maintain hygiene.
The
sleeve 110 includes a continuous piece of fabric encasing a right-side of the
headrest, a
left-side of the headrest, and the top of the headrest 5. The fastener 166 of
the sleeve 110
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comprises an elastic-fastener configured to secure the sleeve 110 to the seat
10 of the
passenger-vehicle.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the headrest cover holder
system 100
of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the
headrest
cover holder system 100 may include the sleeve 110 having the closed top-end
120, the
open bottom-end 124, the front-surface 130, the rear-surface 160 including at
least one
cut-out 162, and the electronic device mount 164, and the fastener 166. The
sleeve 110
configured to be removably installed on a headrest 5 of a seat 10 on a
passenger-vehicle.
The sleeve 110 is retrofittable to a variety of the passenger-vehicles. In a
preferred
embodiment, the passenger-vehicle comprises an airplane, bus, train or other
passenger-
vehicle. The open bottom-end 124 is configured to rest above a tray on the
backside of
the seat 10 of the passenger-vehicle and not extend past the tray. The at
least one cut-out
162 is configured to provide access to items stored on a backside of the seat
10 on the
passenger-vehicle such as an emergency card holder on an airplane. The at
least one cut-
out 162 is positioned above the electronic device mount 164. The at least one
cut-out 162
comprises a substantially rectangular profile.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a perspective view of the
headrest cover
holder system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. As
above, the headrest cover holder system 100 may include the sleeve 110 having
the
closed top-end 120, the open bottom-end 124, the front-surface 130, the rear-
surface 160
including at least one cut-out 162, and the electronic device mount 164, and
the fastener
166. The front-surface 130 further comprises padding or a cushion to promote
comfort of
a passenger while seated with the device installed on the headrest 5 and a
portion of a
seat-back. The front-surface 130 may comprise functional indicia. The
functional indicia
may include advertising, company logos, or other desired indicia. The
electronic device
mount 164 is configured to receive an electronic-device 15 such as a tablet or
mobile-
phone for removable use. The electronic device mount 164 is adjustable and
includes
adjustable angle settings allowing a user to adjust an angle of the electronic-
device 15
mounted within the electronic device mount 164.
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[0031] Figures 6-11 schematically depict an alternative embodiment of a
headrest
cover holder system 200 in accordance with the claimed invention. Referring to
Figures
6-11, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout, the
headrest
cover holder system 200 includes a sleeve 204 that defines a cavity or chamber
208.
More specifically, the sleeve 204 includes a front portion 212, a rear portion
216, a top
portion 220, and lateral portions 224, 228 that cooperate to define the cavity
or chamber
208 therebetween. The sleeve 204 includes a lower edge 232 that defines an
opening 236
to the cavity or chamber 208. In the embodiment depicted, the front portion
212 also
defines an opening 240 to the chamber 208. In the embodiment depicted, the
rear portion
216 defines yet another opening 244 to the chamber 208. It should be noted
that, within
the scope of the claimed invention, a sleeve 204 may or may not include either
of
openings 240, 244. Thus, in one embodiment within the scope of the claims, a
sleeve
defines neither opening 240 nor opening 244. In other embodiments within the
scope of
the claims, the sleeve may define either or both openings 240, 244.
[0032] The sleeve 204 in the embodiment depicted is comprised of
flexible fabric
material. Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of flexible fabric
materials that
may be employed within the scope of the invention, including, but not limited
to, leather
or vinyl. In the embodiment depicted, the lateral portions 224, 228 are
comprised of an
elastic fabric, such as but not limited to Spandex, while the rest of the
sleeve 204 is a
non-elastic, flexible fabric such as leather or vinyl. Accordingly, the
elastic fabric
enables the distance between the front portion 212 and the rear portion 216,
and the size
of the opening 236, to be selectively variable.
[0033] The head rest cover holder system 200 is configured for use with
a vehicle
seat 248. The vehicle seat 248 may be installed in any vehicle within the
scope of the
claimed invention, including, but not limited to, buses, airplanes, trains,
etc. The vehicle
seat 248 includes a seatback 252, which, as understood by those skilled in the
art, extends
generally vertically. The seatback 252 includes a front surface 256 against
which an
occupant of the seat 248 rests. The seat 248 includes a headrest portion 260,
which may
be an integral part of the seatback 252 as shown, or may be a separate unit
attached to the
seatback 252.
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[0034] In the embodiment depicted, front surface 256 defines a
protuberance 264
in the headrest portion 260. The protuberance 264 functions as a cushion or
pillow to
support the head of an occupant of the seat 248. When the sleeve 204 is
unstressed, i.e.,
when the elastic fabric of lateral portions 224, 228 is not elastically
strained, the width of
the seatback 252, i.e., the distance from the rear surface 268 of the seatback
252 to the
forwardmost point of the protuberance 264, is greater than the width of the
opening 236
to the chamber 208. Accordingly, the protuberance 264 prevents the
installation of the
head rest cover holder system 200 to the headrest portion 260 when the sleeve
204 is in
an unstressed state.
[0035] The elastic fabric material of lateral portions 224, 228 permits
that
installation of the head rest cover holder system 200 onto the headrest
portion 260, while
also facilitating a snug and reasonably tight secure fit of the system 200 on
the headrest
portion 260. More specifically, to install the head rest cover holder system
200, the
sleeve 204 is moved such that the headrest portion 260 is inserted into the
chamber 208
through the opening 236 defined by the lower edge 232. The elastic fabric of
lateral
portions 224, 228 is elastically strained by, for example, pulling the front
portion 212 and
the rear portion 216 away from each other, thereby to increase the width of
the opening
236 and the chamber 208 to permit the passage of the protuberance 264 through
the
opening 236 and the chamber 208.
[0036] In the embodiment depicted, insertion of the headrest portion
260 into the
chamber 208 is complete when the top portion 220 of the sleeve contacts the
top of the
headrest portion 260 and the protuberance 264 extends out of the chamber 208
through
the opening 240 in the front portion 212, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 11.
Permitting the
sleeve 204 to return to its unstressed state will cause the opening 236 and
the chamber
208 to narrow and provide a tight fit between the headrest portion 260 and the
sleeve 204,
which in turn improves aesthetics and stability of the system 200. It should
be noted that,
although the lateral portions 224, 228 comprise an elastic fabric in the
embodiment
depicted, lateral portions 224, 228 may also be comprised of non-elastic
material within
the scope of the claimed invention.
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[0037] The head rest cover holder system 200 also includes a holder
assembly
272 having a bracket member 276 and an electronic device holder 280. The
bracket
member 276 is comprised of a generally rigid material, such as a hard polymer.
The
bracket member 276 includes a stabilizing portion 282 that is attached to the
rear portion
216 of the sleeve 204 such that portion 282 is parallel with the rear portion
216. In the
embodiment depicted, portion 282 of the bracket member 276 defines an aperture
284. In
the embodiment depicted, the aperture 284 is rectangular, and is formed by
four linear
segments 288, 292, 296, 300 of the bracket member 276. Segments 288 and 292
extend
parallel to one another and perpendicularly to segments 296 and 300. Segments
296 and
300 interconnect segments 288 and 292. The segments 288, 292, 296, 300
cooperate to
define aperture 284 therebetween.
[0038] The bracket member 276 also includes an integrated fastener at
which the
electronic device holder 280 is connectable to the bracket member 276. In the
embodiment depicted, the fastener is a ball 304 that cooperates with the
electronic device
holder 280 to form a ball and socket joint. Ball 304 is substantially
spherical and is
connected to segment 288 via a post 308 that extends perpendicularly from the
segment
288. In the embodiment depicted, the ball 304, the post 308, and the segments
288, 292,
296, 300 are all formed by a single piece of material, such as by injection
molding. This
single-piece construction facilitates assembly of the head rest cover holder
system 200.
The post 308 may have any length or shape within the scope of the claimed
invention.
[0039] More specifically, the segments 288, 292, 296, 300 defining the
aperture
284 are attached to the rear portion 216 of the sleeve 204 such that the
aperture 284 is
aligned with the opening 244 in the sleeve 204. Segments 288, 292 are
positioned on
opposite sides of the opening 244 from one another, and segments 296, 300 are
positioned on opposite sides of the opening 244 from one another. Those
skilled in the art
will recognize a variety of methods of attaching the segments 288, 292, 296,
300 to the
rear portion 216 of the sleeve, including, but not limited to, sewing,
adhesive bonding,
etc.
[0040] The segments 288, 292, 296, 300 are positioned on the side of
the rear
portion 216 that faces the chamber 208, and are therefore not visible from the
exterior of
Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
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the chamber 208. Aperture 284 is larger than opening 244. Post 308 extends
through a
hole 312 in the rear portion 216 so that the ball 304 is positioned outside
the chamber
208. The device holder 280 includes a socket that is matable with the ball 304
in a
manner understood by those skilled in the art to form the ball and socket
joint.
[0041] The device holder 280 in the embodiment depicted is a clamp
mechanism
having two clamp arms 316, 320, each having a respective flange 324, 328. An
electronic device with a screen, such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer
as shown at
15 in Figure 5, is fittable between the flanges 324, 328 such that the flanges
324, 328
exert a force on opposite edges of the electronic device to releasably retain
the device.
The device holder 280 may be configured such that the distance between the
flanges 324,
328 is selectively variable to accommodate electronic devices of different
sizes. It should
be noted that other electronic device holder configurations may be employed
within the
scope of the claimed invention.
[0042] When the head rest cover holder system 200 is installed on the
headrest
portion 260, a portion of the rear surface 268 of the seatback 252 and/or
headrest portion
260 is visible and accessible from outside the chamber 208, as shown in
Figures 7 and 11.
More specifically, the portion of the rear surface 268 of the seatback 252
and/or headrest
portion 260 is visible and accessible through the opening 244 in the rear
portion 216 of
the sleeve 204 and the aperture 284 formed by the bracket member 276. That is,
a line of
sight extends through aperture 284 and opening 244.
[0043] Accordingly, the occupant of a seat located behind the seatback
252 has
access to the contents of the chamber 208 via the aperture 284 and the opening
244.
Contents of the chamber 208 visible and accessible via the opening 244 and the
aperture
284 may include printed material 332, such as a magazine or a card with flight
safety
information, that is stored in a slot 336 formed in the rear surface 268 of
the headrest
portion 260, as shown in Figures 7 and 9. Contents of the chamber 208 visible
through
the opening 244 and the aperture 284 may also include a screen 340 mounted to
the rear
of the headrest portion 260, as shown in Figure 11. The screen 340 is part of
what is
referred to as an in-flight entertainment system (IFE) and is pre-installed to
the seat 248
prior to the installation of the headrest cover holder system 200 to the seat
248.
Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
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[0044] The bracket member 276 provides enhanced stability for the
electronic
device holder 280, and any electronic device attached thereto, because the
stabilizing
portion 282, i.e., segments 288, 292, 296, 300, provide a large amount of
surface area that
interacts with both the sleeve 204 and the headrest portion 260 to prevent
rotation of the
bracket member 276, and, correspondingly, the device holder 280. The bracket
member
276 achieves this enhanced stability while maintaining access to the rear of
the headrest
and anything attached or retained thereto by defining an aperture 284 that
aligns with the
opening 244, thereby ensuring that the opening 244 is not obstructed by the
bracket
member 276.
[0045] In one alternative embodiment (not shown), and within the scope
of the
claimed invention, portion 282 does not define an aperture. This alternative
embodiment
could be used with a sleeve 204 that does not have a rear opening 244 to the
chamber
208.
[0046] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been
described
in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will
recognize various
alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the
scope of the
appended claims.
Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
