Claims:We Claim:
1. A vehicle seat cover (100) comprising:
a base layer (110) having a lower seat cover portion (110a) to cover a seat cushion (200) and an upper seat cover portion (110b) to cover a seat back (300);
a one or more protective sheet (150) arranged in between the upper seat cover portion (110b) and the lower seat cover portion (110a), the one or more protective sheet (150) are movable from a first position (150a) to a second position (150b) between the upper seat cover portion (110b) and the lower seat cover portion (110a); and
a fastening element (160) arranged on the one or more protective sheet (150) to secure the one or more protective sheet (150) with the seat back (300) and / or the seat cushion (200).

2. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more protective sheet (150) abut against the upper seat cover portion (110b) in the first position (150a) , and the protective sheets (150) abut against the lower seat cover portion (110a) in the second position (150b).

3. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower seat cover portion (110a) and the upper seat cover portion (110b) are connected along a folding line (112) configured along the space between the seat back (300) and the seat cushion (200), wherein a trim cover wire (120) connected along the length of the folding line (112) to arrange one or more protective sheet (150) therein.

4. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sheet (150) is pivotable around a pivotal axis (120a) of the trim cover wire (120), such that the protective sheets (150) swivels around the trim cover wire (120) in between the first position (150a) and the second position (150b).

5. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening element (160) is a hook or a clip (160a) of a L-shaped adapted to be fasten into a headrest rod (250) of the vehicle seat or a strap or a magnet, adapted to fix the protective sheet (150) with the seat back (300) and the seat cushion (200).

6. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening element (160) is a strap (160b) having a hole adapted to be fasten onto a portion of the vehicle seat.

7. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 6, wherein the seat cushion (200) and / or the seat back (300) have an attachment portions (260) to engage with the strap (160b).

8. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment portion (260) is movable from fasten position to a unfasten position to lock or to unlock the strap (160b) from the vehicle seat.

9. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more protective sheet (150) when damaged or when a user desires a new decoration, the one or more protective sheet (150) are replaced by moving it from first position (150a) to the second position (150b).

10. The vehicle seat cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the protective sheets (150) may have an integrated tracking code (170), a user may track the data of the vehicle seat cover (100) by an application module in smartphone and may ensure about the cleanliness of the vehicle seat cover (100).
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat. More specifically, the present invention relates to a seat covering of a vehicle seat.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Seat covers for vehicles are extensively used by consumers to protect original equipment manufacturer seat upholstery. Many different types of automotive seat covers are commercially available in the marketplace today. These include seat covers for high-back seats, low-back seats, and seats with and without headrests. The seat covers used tend to get dirty, receives bad odor, or gets physically damaged after prolonged or continuous usage. When it comes to ride sharing, especially a taxicab and the like, the seats will be occupied continuously by passengers and the seat cover will quickly become soiled and will not be fresh for each new passenger. Since the passengers occupy vehicles continuously, washing seat covers is not a good option. Also, most of the seat covers used get damaged after washing and therefore cannot be washed regularly.

[0003] Further, the available aftermarket covers lack quality and requires a skilled person to install them on vehicle seats. The aftermarket covers need to be customized if the seat has airbags, which has an increase price tag. This can be cost-prohibitive for all parties involved.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a simple seat covering system and method which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to propose a vehicle seat cover which overcomes the drawbacks explained above.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat cover, which fits perfectly on the seat.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat cover, which eliminates the need to store a removable trim cover.

[0008] One more object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat cover, which is designed to fold and look aesthetically pleasing in both first and second positions.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat cover, which is simple in design and robust in construction.

Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat cover in accordance with the present invention. The seat cover includes a base layer and one or more protective sheets. The base layer may be a fabric layer which covers a seat cushion and a seat back of the vehicle seat. The base layer may include a lower seat cover portion and an upper seat cover portion. The lower seat cover portion covers the seat cushion and the upper cover portion covers the seat back of the vehicle seat. The base layer has a folding line between the lower seat portion and the upper seat portion. Specifically, both the lower seat cover portion and the upper seat cover portion are connected along the folding line. The folding line may be configured along the space between the seat back and the seat cushion.

[0011] Further, a trim cover wire may be connected along the length of the folding line. Then trim cover wire is an elongated rod which is attached over the folding line in a space between the seat back and the seat cushion. Each of the protective sheets are arranged on the trim cover wire. The protective sheets are fabrics, flat enough to cover the seat cushion or the seat back. The protective sheets may be attached on the trim wire in such a way that the protective sheets are movable between the lower seat cover portion and the upper seat cover portion. By way of non-limiting example, the protective sheets may be hooked with the trim wire and are stacked like a notebook having multiple pages. In an embodiment, the protective sheets are detachable from the trim cover wire such that old protective sheets can be replaced with new sheets. In another embodiment, the trim wire along with the protective sheets may be removable from the folding line and can be replaced with new trim cover and protective sheets.

[0012] Further, the configuration of the protective sheets in the trim cover wire facilitates a swivelling motion of the protective sheets in between a first position and a second position. Specifically, the protective sheets pivot around a pivotal axis of the trim cover wire. By way of non-limiting example, in the first position, the protective sheets abut with the upper cover portion. Specifically, in the first position the protective sheets are secured to the seat back of the vehicle seat abutting against the upper seat cover portion. Each of the plurality of the protective sheets has a fastening element arranged at an outer edge to secure the protective sheets with the seat back and the seat cushion.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the fastening element may include a hook, or a clip of an L-shaped adapted to be fasten into a headrest rod of the vehicle seat, a strap or a magnet adapted to fix the protective sheet with the seat back and the seat cushion. The fastening element may be a strap having a hole adapted to be fasten onto a portion of the vehicle seat. The seat cushion and the seat back may have an attachment portions to engage with the strap. The attachment portion can be movable from fasten position to an unfasten position to lock or to unlock the strap from the vehicle seat. In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of fastening element attached to the outer edges of the protective sheets. By way of non-limiting example, the fastening elements can be attached to each of the corners and on a top portion of the protective sheets.

[0014] Further, in the first position, the protective sheets abut against the upper cover portion and attaches with the seat back of the vehicle seat. When the lower cover portion of the base layer is ruptured, dirty, stained, or otherwise physically damaged,, one of the protective sheets from the plurality of the protective sheets can be moved from the first position to the second position and secure with the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. Also, when a user desires a new decoration, the one or more protective sheet may be replaced by moving it from first position to the second position. In the second position, the protective sheet abuts against the lower cover portion and fasten with the attachment portions at the seat cushion. The deployed protective sheet when damaged, dirty, or stained can be replaced by deploying another protective sheet from the plurality of the protective sheets.

[0015] Similarly, in another embodiment, the protective sheets abut against the lower seat cover portion in the first position, and in the second position the protective sheets abut against the upper seat cover portion. Further, each of the protective sheets of the plurality of the protective sheets may have a different design. This ensures unique aesthetics in each instalment of the protective sheet.

[0016] In an embodiment, each of the protective sheets may have an integrated tracking code. The tracking code has the data regarding the installation of the vehicle seat cover, such as the date of installation and the like. The user may track the data of the vehicle seat cover by an application module in smartphone and may ensure about the cleanliness of the vehicle seat cover. This data may be shared over a database accessible on a site that is managed on a remote server. A vehicle occupant may access the site and upload pictures or other updated information about the seat cover or vehicle via mobile device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the detailed description given below, purely by way of example and in a non-limitative manner, referring to the following figures:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle seat cover in accordance with the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 shows another view of the vehicle seat cover with a protective sheet in first and second position;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a fastening element of the protective sheet attaching with an attachment portion of the vehicle seat;
[0021] Figure 4 illustrates another schematic view of the fastening element of the protective sheet attaching with the attachment portion of the vehicle seat;

[0022] Figure 5a, 5b and 5c illustrates different types of the fastening element;

[0023] Figure 6 illustrates another perspective view of the vehicle seat cover in accordance with the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 illustrates another schematic view of the vehicle seat with the fastening element attached to the attachment portion of the vehicle seat;

[0025] Figure 7a illustrates an embodiment of the attachment portion in a fasten position and an unfasten position;

[0026] Figure 7b illustrates another embodiment of the attachment portion in a fasten position and an unfasten position; and

[0027] Figure 7c illustrates one more embodiment of the attachment portion in a fasten position and an unfasten position in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0028] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0029] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0030] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0031] Removable seat covers for vehicles are used to protect the permanent seat upholstery. The seat covers protect the seat from external stains and dirt, but seat covers used tend to get dirty or receive bad odor or physical damage after prolonged or continuous usage. When it comes to ride sharing, especially a taxicab and the like, the seats will be occupied continuously by passengers and the seat cover will get dirty soon and will not be fresh for each new passenger. Also, most of the seat covers used tend to get damaged after washing and therefore cannot be washed regularly. Hence there is a requirement of a seat cover which can overcome the traditional seat covers.

[0032] Referring now to figures 1 and 2, a vehicle seat cover (100) in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The seat cover (100) includes a base layer (110) and one or more protective sheets (150). The present embodiment is shown to have a plurality of protective sheets (150). The base layer (110) is a fabric layer which covers a seat cushion (200) and a seat back (300) of the vehicle seat (100). The base layer (110) includes a lower seat cover portion (110a) and an upper seat cover portion (110b). The lower seat cover portion (110a) covers the seat cushion (200) and the upper cover portion (110b) covers the seat back (300) of the vehicle seat. The base layer (110) has a folding line (112) between the lower seat portion and the upper seat portion. Specifically, both the lower seat cover portion (110a) and the upper seat cover portion (110b) are connected along the folding line (112). The folding line (112) is configured along the space between the seat back (300) and the seat cushion (200).

[0033] Referring again to figures 1 and 2, a trim cover wire (120) is connected along the length of the folding line (112). The trim cover wire (120) is an elongated rod or rope which is attached over the folding line (112) in a space between the seat back (300) and the seat cushion (200). Each of the protective sheets (150) are arranged on the trim cover wire (120) in between the upper seat cover portion (110b) and the lower seat cover portion (110a). The protective sheets (150) are fabrics, flat enough to cover the seat cushion (200) or the seat back (300). The protective sheets (150) are capable of protecting the vehicle seat from dust, water and the like. It also provides a decorative feel inside the vehicle interior. The protective sheets (150) are attached on the trim wire in such a way that the protective sheets (150) are movable between the lower seat cover portion (110a) and the upper seat cover portion (110b). By way of non-limiting example, the protective sheets (150) are hooked with the trim wire and are stacked like a notebook having multiple pages. In an embodiment, the protective sheets (150) are detachable from the trim cover wire (120) such that old protective sheets (150) can be replaced with new sheets. In another embodiment, the trim wire along with the protective sheets (150) can be removable from the folding line (112) and can be replaced with new trim cover and protective sheets (150).

[0034] Further, the configuration of the protective sheets (150) in the trim cover wire (120) facilitates a swivelling motion of the protective sheets (150) in between a first position (150a) and a second position (150b). Specifically, the protective sheet (150) is pivotable around a pivotal axis (120a) of the trim cover wire (120) as shown in figure 6. In an embodiment (not shown), the protective sheets are adhered to the folding line by adhesives.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the protective sheets (150) are movable from the first position (150a) to the second position (150b) as shown in figure 2. By way of non-limiting example, in the first position (150a), the protective sheets (150) abut against the upper cover portion. Specifically, the protective sheets (150) are secured to the seat back (300) of the vehicle seat. Each of the plurality of the protective sheets (150) has a fastening element (160) arranged at an outer edge to secure the protective sheets (150) with the seat back (300) and the seat cushion (200).

[0036] In the present embodiment, the fastening element (160) includes a hook, or a clip (160a) of an L-shaped adapted to be fasten into a headrest rod (250) of the vehicle seat or a strap or a magnet adapted to fix the protective sheet with the seat back (300) and the seat cushion (200) as shown in figures 3 and 4. In an embodiment, the fastening element (160) is a strap (160b) having a hole adapted to be fasten onto a portion of the vehicle seat as shown in figures 5a, 5b and 5c. Specifically, the strap (160b) is attached to a corner portion of the vehicle seat as shown in figure 4. The seat cushion (200) and the seat back (300) has attachment portions (260) to engage with the fastening elements (160) as shown in figures 2 and 7. The attachment portion (260) is movable from a fasten position (260a) to an unfasten position (260b) to lock or to unlock the strap (160b) from the vehicle seat as shown in figures 7a, 7b and 7c. In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of fastening element (160) attached to the outer edges of the protective sheets (150) as shown in figure 4. By way of non-limiting example, the fastening elements (160) can be attached to each of the corners and on a top portion of the protective sheets (150).

[0037] Further, in the first position (150a), the protective sheets (150) abuts against the upper cover portion and attaches with the seat back (300) of the vehicle seat. When the lower cover portion of the base layer (110) is ruptured, dirty, stained, or otherwise physically damaged, , one of the protective sheets (150) from the plurality of the protective sheet can be moved from the first position (150a) to the second position (150b) and secure with the seat cushion (200) of the vehicle seat. Also, when a user desires a new decoration, the one or more protective sheet (150) is replaced by moving the protective sheets (150) from first position (150a) to the second position (150b). In the second position (150b), the protective sheet abuts against the lower cover portion and fasten to the attachment portions (250) at the seat cushion (200). The deployed protective sheet when damaged (dirt or stain) can be replaced by deploying another protective sheet from the plurality of the protective sheets (150).

[0038] Similarly, in another embodiment, the protective sheets (150) abut against the lower seat cover portion (110a) in the first position (150a) , and in the second position (150b) the protective sheets (150) abut against the upper seat cover portion (110b). Further, each of the protective sheets (150) of the plurality of the protective sheets (150) may have a different design. This ensures unique aesthetics in each instalment of the protective sheet.

[0039] In an embodiment, each of the protective sheets (150) may have an integrated tracking code (170) like a QR code as shown in figures 1 and 2. The tracking code (170) has the data regarding the installation of the vehicle seat cover (100), such as the date of installation and the like. The user may track the data of the vehicle seat cover (100) by an application module in smartphone and may ensure about the cleanliness of the vehicle seat cover (100). This data may be shared over a database accessible on a website that is managed on a remote server. A vehicle occupant may access the site and upload pictures or other updated information about the seat cover or vehicle via mobile device.

[0040] Therefore, the present invention has an advantage of providing a present invention is to provide a vehicle seat cover (100), which fits perfectly on the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat cover (100) eliminates the need to store a removable trim cover. Further, it is designed to fold and look aesthetically pleasing in both the first position (150a) and second position (150b). Also, the vehicle seat cover (100) is simple in design and robust in construction.

[0041] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.