Seat strap

Abstract

Embodiments of a seat strap configured to secure objects disposed on a seat of a vehicle are provided. The seat strap may be an integral part of the vehicle seat, or an accessory. In one embodiment, a vehicle seat is provided that includes an object restraining seat strap. The vehicle seat has a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section meeting at an interface. The seat strap has an elastic elongated body passing through the interface and over a front face of the vehicle seat. The body has a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends comprise mating portions of a retaining feature.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A strap for retaining articles on a vehicle seat, the strap of a length that can encircle a vehicle seat and comprising:
 a body portion having a first end and a second end; and   a first fastening mechanism attached to the first end of the body portion;   wherein the second end of the body portion is configured to releasably engage the first fastening mechanism such that the body portion will overlay at least the horizontal portion of the vehicle seat in such a manner that it will restrain articles placed between the body portion and the horizontal portion from moving relative to the horizontal portion.   
   
   
       22 . The strap of  claim 21 , wherein the strap is configured in an orientation aligned with the wheel base of a vehicle. 
   
   
       23 . The strap of  claim 21 , wherein the body portion is composed of an elastic material. 
   
   
       24 . The strap of  claim 21 , wherein the length of the body portion is sufficient to wrap around the horizontal section of the vehicle seat. 
   
   
       25 . The strap of  claim 21 , further comprising a second fastening mechanism attached to the second end of the body portion. 
   
   
       26 . The strap of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening mechanism is a mechanism selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, clamps, buckles, sewn materials, glued or heat sealed materials, and snaps. 
   
   
       27 . The strap of  claim 21 , wherein the strap is formed as an integral part of the vehicle seat. 
   
   
       28 . The strap of  claim 21 , wherein the strap is configured so that it does not interfere with a passenger sitting in the vehicle seat. 
   
   
       29 . A strap for retaining articles on a vehicle seat, the strap comprising:
 a body portion having a first end and a second end;   a retaining feature attached to the first end of the body portion, the retaining feature configured to engage a portion of a vehicle seat;   an anchor releasably connected with the second end of the body portion, the anchor configured to engage a portion of a vehicle seat opposite the retaining feature such that the body portion traverses a surface of the vehicle seat in such a manner that it will restrain articles placed between the body portion and the surface of the vehicle seat from moving relative to the surface of the vehicle seat.   
   
   
       30 . The strap of  claim 29 , wherein the retaining feature is configured to engage the interface between a seat back and a seat cushion. 
   
   
       31 . The strap of  claim 29 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a loop formed in the first end of the body portion and a widening object disposed within the loop. 
   
   
       32 . The strap of  claim 31 , wherein the width of the widening object is at least 6 times the thickness of the body portion. 
   
   
       33 . The strap of  claim 31 , wherein the widening object comprises an object selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, a rod, and a polygon, the widening object having a size sufficient to prevent the first end of the body portion of the strap from being pulled through the interface between a seat back and a seat cushion. 
   
   
       34 . The strap of  claim 31 , wherein the widening object is a tube having a diameter of about ½ to about 1  1 / 4  inches. 
   
   
       35 . The strap of  claim 30 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a loop configured to surround an attachment point of a vehicle seat. 
   
   
       36 . The strap of  claim 30 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a bundle or roll of material. 
   
   
       37 . The strap of  claim 36 , wherein the bundle or roll of material is formed from the first end of the body portion. 
   
   
       38 . The strap of  claim 36 , wherein the bundle or roll of material is an object coupled to the first end of the body portion. 
   
   
       39 . The strap of  claim 36 , wherein the bundle or roll of material has a diameter at least 6 times the thickness of the body portion. 
   
   
       40 . The strap of  claim 30 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a clamp or a hook. 
   
   
       41 . The strap of  claim 30 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a tee shape. 
   
   
       42 . The strap of  claim 29 , wherein the anchor has a ductile portion that allows the shape of the anchor to be bent to accommodate the edge surface of a vehicle seat. 
   
   
       43 . The strap of  claim 29 , wherein the anchor is pre-formed to engage a pre-defined shape of a vehicle seat. 
   
   
       44 . The strap of  claim 29 , wherein the strap is configured so that it does not interfere with a passenger sitting in the vehicle seat. 
   
   
       45 . A method of retaining articles on a vehicle seat, the method comprising:
 inserting a first end of a strap through an interface between a seat back and a seat cushion;   passing the first end of the strap over a first side of the seat cushion;   passing a second end of the strap under a second side of the seat cushion opposite the first side;   attaching the first and second ends of the strap so that the strap forms a continuous loop about the seat cushion and provides an engagement area between the surface of the seat cushion and the underside of the strap for retaining articles in such a manner that it will restrain articles placed between the strap and the seat cushion from moving relative to the seat cushion.   
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising placing an object between the strap and the seat cushion. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising tensioning the strap prior to or after placing the object between the strap and the seat cushion. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the strap is elastic. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein attaching the first and second ends of the strap comprises:
 engaging a retainer selected from the group consisting of a snap, a hook, a loop, and a widening object.   
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the strap is configured so that it does not interfere with a passenger sitting in the vehicle seat. 
   
   
       51 . A method of retaining articles on a vehicle seat, the method comprising:
 providing a strap having a sufficient length to span the surface of a vehicle seat;   securing a first end of the strap to the rear side of the vehicle seat using a retaining feature;   extending the strap over the seat cushion of the vehicle seat;   securing the second end of the strap to the front side of the vehicle seat so that the strap traverses the top surface of the seat;   tensioning the strap so that it will engage an item to be retained thereunder to restrain movement of the item.   
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the strap is configured so that it does not interfere with a passenger sitting in the vehicle seat.