IES922800A2 - A cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

A cushion (1) has a cushion pad (2) which is wide enough 5 so that it may be folded on itself to surround a belt or strap such as a motor car safety belt. The cushion is fastened in position using hook-and-loop fasteners (3(a), 3(b)). Because the pad of the cushion itself surrounds the strap or belt the cushion is of extremely simple 10 construction and is also very versatile. For example, it may be used for carrying of bags, as well as for use with safety belts.

Description

A Cushion The invention relates to a cushion for use with safety belts, straps such as handles for bags, or the like.

French Patent Specification No. FR 2,624,458 (Guernier) discloses such a cushion. This cushion comprises a pair of spaced-apart tubular cushion pads which are connected by a lower sheet of material, and an upper flap which together surround a safety belt, in use. Thus, in use there are a pair of cushion pads on each transverse side of a safety belt. One problem with such a construction is that in many instances the discomfort caused by safety belts is by rubbing of the belt downwardly against the user. The above-described cushion would have a limited effect in reducing such rubbing. The above-described cushion would be suitable only for use with a safety belt and does not easily lend itself to other uses. This cushion would also be relatively expensive to manufacture because of the number of interconnected parts.

The invention is directed towards providing a cushion for use with straps or belts or the like which is of a more simple construction and thus less expensive to produce.

Another object of the invention is that the cushion be versatile for use in many different situations. A still further object of the invention is that the cushion provides improved user comfort in situations such as when driving a car.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a cushion for use with a strap or a belt, the cushion comprising means for surrounding and engaging the belt, said surrounding means comprising an integral cushion pad.

IE 922800 - 2 In a preferred embodiment the pad extends between opposed ends of the surrounding means, the pad being sufficiently flexible to facilitate bending over on itself.

In another embodiment the cushion has releasable fasteners 5 for the surrounding means so that the cushion may be removed, in use. Ideally the releasable fasteners are of the hook-and-loop type.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Fig. 1 is a plan view of a cushion of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the cushion being folded to an operative position; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic front view showing the cushion in use with a safety belt; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view showing the cushion being used with a carrier bag.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a cushion of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The cushion 1 is of extremely simple construction and comprises an elongate pad 2 having a width sufficient to completely surround a standard safety belt of a motor car. Together with hook25 and-loop fasteners 3(a) and 3(b) which are mounted on opposite sides of the pad 2, the pad forms a means for surrounding the safety belt or strap. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the pad 2 may be simply folded at any desired position so that the cushion 1 surrounds the belt or strap IE 922800 - 3 and the fasteners 3(a) and 3(b) engage to hold the cushion in position.

Referring to Fig. 3 the cushion 1 is shown in use with a safety belt. The cushion 1 is simply folded along two lines so that the fasteners 3(a) and 3(b) engage at the upper side of the belt, the lower side of the pad 2 providing a cushioning effect for the user from the belt 10 of a motor car 11.

Because of its simple construction, the cushion 1 of the 10 invention may be used for many different situations. This versatility arises from the fact that the means which surround the belt or strap incorporate the pad and the pad is not attached to the surround means. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the cushion 1 may be used to provide greater comfort in holding straps 12 for carrying a bag 13. It is also envisaged, for example, that the cushion of the invention may be used with a golf bag, or indeed any situation where it is necessary to hold a strap or handle or where safety belts must be used.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described. For example, it is envisaged that the pad may be of any desired thickness and it is also envisaged that a fastening means other than those of the hook-and-loop type may be used.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A cushion for use with a strap or a belt, the cushion comprising means for surrounding and engaging the belt, said surrounding means comprising an integral cushion 5 pad.

2. A cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad extends between opposed ends of the surrounding means, the pad being sufficiently flexible to facilitate bending over on itself. 10

3. A cushion as claimed in claims 1 or 2, having releasable fasteners for the surrounding means so that the cushion may be removed, in use.

4. A cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein the releasable fasteners are of the hook-and-loop type. 15

5. A cushion substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings .