Vehicle Seat Side Guards for Blocking Console Gap Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Objects often fall into gaps between vehicle seats and interior structures, making them difficult to retrieve as they can become wedged or roll under the seats.
Innovation Solution
Integration of upwardly extending seat side walls or guards into seat covers or upholstery to prevent objects from falling into these gaps, which can be permanently or removably attached using various fastening means such as sewing, gluing, or hook and loop fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional seat covers without side walls are used, then the seat design is simple and manufacturing is easy, but objects fall into gaps between the seat and interior structures making them difficult to retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the seat cover vertically by adding upwardly extending side walls that protrude beyond the seat back surface. This dimensional extension creates a physical barrier in the vertical space above the gap between the seat and interior structures, preventing objects from falling into the gap while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.
2Reliability
If upwardly extending side walls are added to prevent objects from falling into gaps, then object retrieval is improved, but the seat cover structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the side walls directly into the seat cover structure, merging the protective barrier function with the existing seat cover material and construction. This consolidation achieves reliable object containment while minimizing additional structural complexity by using the same material and attachment methods as the rest of the seat cover.
3Ease of manufacture
If removable attachment means are used for side walls, then installation and removal is easier, but the attachment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the seat cover into separate functional components: the main seat cover and the removable side walls. This segmentation allows the side walls to be independently attached and removed using fastening means such as Velcro® fasteners, snaps, or buttons, making installation and removal easier while keeping each component relatively simple in structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat or seat cover having an integral or detachable upwardly extending wall subassembly particularly advantageous for use on a vehicle seat to prevent items from falling into the gap defined by the seat and console of a vehicle and the gap defined by the seat and door of the vehicle. The seat preferably has a flap installed thereon to which the wall assembly may be attached and detached. In another embodiment, the flap may conceal an area on the seat adapted to secure to the wall assembly. A seat cover may have an integral wall subassembly on one or both sides secured to its seams. In another embodiment, a conversion kit for seats which do not have flaps is provided wherein a securement means may be attached to one or both sides of a vehicle seat and said wall assembly attached thereto.