Chairs and seats – Bottom or back – Directly connected bottom and back
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-19
2001-11-13
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Bottom or back
Directly connected bottom and back
C297S452140, C297S452250, C297S452340, C297S487000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315363
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to seating for go carts of the type employing small engines, wide track and wheel base, no spring suspension, and affordability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Seats traditionally employed in go carts are in an environment where no other restraint is applied on the driver, such as lap belts, shoulder belts, air bags, and other restraints. The prior art seats are basically formed from a fiberglass like material which can be woven, matted, or chopped. The typical prior art seat is illustrated in
FIGS. 2 through 8
. There it will be seen that the side portions are relatively narrow, and curve along with the junction between the back and the bottom. The edges of the seat are also formed with a reverse curve which provides a chaffing point when contacted from the exterior portion of the seat, particularly by the underneath portion of the upper arm or even the forearm and the elbow areas. The depth of the seat is limited, and there is virtually no support around the rib cage portion. As a result, the driver, particularly when cornering or otherwise experiencing lateral G's or thrust, will hold on to the wheel for purposes of staying in the seat, as distinguished from devoting his strength and coordinated effort to manipulating the vehicle. In addition, the side thrust on the abdomen and rib cage causes the side edges to dig into the body involving further discomfort. Finally, when resting the forearm on the lower side portions the arm can overlap the edge and be chaffed by the J-shaped or reversely curved interior portion.
As a result of the above, it is highly desirable to produce a go cart seat which will provide for superior and yet comfortable support of the upper portion of the body, provide for support overlapping the rib cage portion of the driver, and eliminate the chaffing potential of the reversely curved lateral edges. Car seats, for go carts, are not necessarily seen in the prior art. Exemplary of Patents relating to one-piece molded seating structure are U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,986 and 5,810,438. Another typical example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,004 which relates to an insert utilized in a one-piece molded seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a car seat with three components, primarily in a one-piece molded car seat having a back, bottom, and sides. The first inventive feature is directed to deepening the sides to effectively overlay the lateral portion of the rib cage. The second feature relates to providing a partial wrap around portion offering support to the sides and partial portion of the front of the rib cage. The third feature relates to providing a webbing or binding around the lateral edges which is of a non-chaffing material, and eliminates the reversely folded portion of the prior art. In addition, the subject car seat can be worn with a rib cage protector which is something like a thin life jacket which encircles the rib cage. With the invention is the concomitant sizing to accommodate approximately six sizes. Finally, the invention also contemplates the method of utilizing a two piece mold having flanges at the parting point and then mudding the point of separation of the two halves in order to make a smooth rib running along the vertical axis of the top of the back to the bottom of the seat portion.
It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a go cart seat which enhances the support of the driver, provides more comfort to the driver while cornering or during the acceleration or deceleration phase, while at the same time enhancing the lateral support of the driver, and reducing the chaffing which can occur underneath the arms based upon contacting the side edges.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a go cart seat with the capability of very prompt retrofit into virtually all go carts of generally accepted construction.
Yet another, and not conclusive, object of the present invention is to provide a go cart seat affording the above advantages with the basic economics of manufacture which permit it to be sold at an affordable price as a retrofit, or as the original equipment.
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Cuomo Peter M.
Lhota, Esq. David P.
Stearns Weaver Muler Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
White Rodney B.
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