Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Seat associated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-17
2002-06-18
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Seat associated
C224S572000, C224S913000, C224S922000, C211S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06405909
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to automobile accessories. In particular, the invention relates to an automotive accessory for stowing and transporting guns, rods and other long implements, secured to the backrests or headrests of vehicle seats.
Gun and fishing rod users often travel together and typically have several guns and/or fishing rods and few places to store them in a vehicle cab. The guns or rods are typically stored on the seats or on the floor. When stored in this manner, the guns are scratched and sights and telescopes are dislodged and/or fishing lines are tangled. Moreover, the resulting disorder is unsafe.
For decades, gun owners have carried guns in metal or plastic gun racks attached to the back wall of their pickup trucks where they were visible through the window. The guns are visible, inviting break-in and theft. Another significant limitation of this approach is that headroom is compromised. Such gun racks either have an insecure mounting system or require the drilling of holes in the metal body of the vehicle.
Another approach to vehicle gun storage involves a roof-mounted gun rack which is attached to the vehicle by means of screws installed through the cloth covered headliner which covers the interior of the vehicle ceiling. While this device is not seat-mounted, its consideration illustrates difficulties that users must face in trying to solve the gun stowage problem. Screwing through the headliner is a major limitation of this approach. Users are loathe to drill holes in the roof of their expensive vehicles, fearing that they may drill too far and perforate the outside metal. Users also dislike marring the headliner of their vehicles. Moreover, when the gun rack is removed, the holes remain, decreasing the vehicle's trade-in value. The foam material used to line the gun rack hoops does not adhere well, and frequently falls off. In addition, users often strike their heads against the gun rack, which can cause injury. The fact that many people have purchased this type of device, with all of its failings, attests to the magnitude and persistence of the vehicle gun stowage problem.
Guns are also stored in vehicles by suspending them from vehicle seats. One way for hunters to carry long firearms suspended from seats is in an internal pouch sewn into the back portion of a vehicle seat cover. This approach has certain disadvantages: only one gun can be carried and only solid-back bench seats can accommodate the pouch, precluding the use of this technique in vehicles with 40 percent driver-60 percent passenger split seats or bucket seats. In addition, with this approach, the pouch is accessible only from one side of the vehicle, e.g., from the driver's side.
Another design for a seat-mounted gun holder involves sewing external pouches onto the vehicle seat backs. This approach has the limitation that only solid-back bench vehicle seat covers can have this external pouch incorporated into them. Another limitation is that a new seat cover has to be purchased that provides the gun-carrying function. Yet another limitation is that the peep sight at the end of the gun barrel is prone to snag the interior material of the pouch as the gun is placed into, and retrieved from, the pouch. A further limitation is that the center of gravity of the gun is not in the user's hand: the user places the barrel of the gun into the pouch and then pushes the gun through from the butt end. In this way, the tip of the barrel can snag on the material on the inside of the pouch. The pouches swing freely, resulting in guns slapping on the back of the vehicle cab, possibly damaging them.
Another seat-mounted gun rack is a metal device, coated with plastic to protect the guns and to prevent them from shifting. A hook at the top of the device (having the appearance of a shepherd's crook) is used to attach the gun rack to the top of the vehicle seat. Formed metal hooks are incorporated into the rack in vertical sequence, parallel to the seat back. This design has a number of limitations. The top hook is hard and is uncomfortable when a passenger leans against it. Because the device compromises the cushioning effect of the seat back, it is unsafe in the case of a rear-end collision. As the top hook is only one-inch wide and the entire weight of the guns (which can total up to 24 pounds) is held by the hook, the foam core of the seat can be damaged by compression. Furthermore, this device is primarily useful on bench seats, not on bucket seats or 40 percent driver-60 percent passenger split seats. Also, the single strap which attaches the rack to the vehicle under the seat upon which it is installed allows for axial instability of the rack. Moreover, the hook provided on the end of that single strap is not sufficiently universal and not all seats have parts to which the hook can be attached. Finally, the adjustable buckle which tightens the strap is inconvenient to manipulate.
The background art is characterized by U.S. Pat. Nos. 959,072; 2,535,564; 2,577,713; 2,797,033; 2,853,219; 3,014,759; 3,167,182; 3,526,238; 5,443,191; 5,490,623 and 5,495,969; the disclosures of which patents are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Reithmiller in U.S. Pat. No. 959,072 discloses a vehicle seat back umbrella holder. This invention is limited in that it must be permanently fixed to the vehicle seat back using means that damage the upholstery.
Campbell in U.S. Pat. No. 2,535,564 discloses an automobile supporting rack for firearms and the like. This invention is limited in that the rigid hook portions that fit over the top of the seat interfere with the use of the seat and in that rigid hook members are used to support each gun.
Nogle in U.S. Pat. No. 2,577,713 discloses a portable gun rack. This invention is limited in that the pockets into which the guns are inserted are disposed at oblique angles with respect to the edges of the rack and in that the pockets are designed to prevent the wider end of the gun (e.g., the butt) from passing through the pocket, thus requiring that each gun be balanced in a pocket.
Rasback in U.S. Pat. No. 2,797,033 discloses a portable knock-down gun rack. The invention is limited in that the rigid grip portions that fit over the top of the seat interfere with the use of the seat and in that rigid loops are used to support each gun.
Schwartz in U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,219 discloses an umbrella container for automobiles. The invention is limited in that the rigid hooks that fit over the top of the seat interfere with the use of the seat.
Bing in U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,759 discloses an automobile utility bag. This invention is limited in that compartments are located adjacent to other compartments horizontally and are separated by a rigid divider and require straps for straps for supporting the tops of the compartments instead of being stacked vertically to provide easier access, in that no top or bottom rods are provided to facilitate support of the bag on the seat back, in that no end spacers are provided to provide definition to the compartments, and in that an excessive amount of material comprising a panel having tucks and straps is used to secure the bag to the seat back. Moreover, in that compartments are not stacked vertically, less knee room is available for passengers in the seat behind that upon which the bag is secured.
Calvin in U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,182 discloses a gun rack. This invention is limited in that either it must be permanently fixed to the vehicle seat back using means that damage the upholstery or in that the rigid hooked upper ends that fit over the top of the seat interfere with the use of the seat. Moreover, it is limited in that rigid hook members are used to support each gun.
Brayton in U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,238 discloses a safety zipboot and umbrella. This invention is limited in that it must be permanently fixed to the vehicle seat back using means that damage the upholstery.
Jorgenson in U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,191 disclos
Burnett Thomas L.
Evans Jerold A.
Cronin Stephen K.
Hunter Robert M.
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