1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement of a seat belt anchor in an automotive seat, and in particular to an arrangement for covering the seat belt anchor in the seat.
2. Description of Prior Art
Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which shows a typical conventional seat belt anchoring arrangement found in the automotive seat. According thereto, as shown in FIG. 2, an anchor member (11') is mounted on a reclining device bracket (5'). The anchor member (11') is connected to a seat belt (1'). Although not shown clearly, a reclining device is mounted on the bracket (5') such that the upper arm of the reclining device is connected to the lower side of a seat back (SB'), while the lower arm of the same is fixed on the bracket (5'), thereby allowing the seat back (SB') to be adjustably inclined forwardly and backwardly relative to the seat cushion (SC'). The bracket (5') is fixed fast on a slide rail (SR').
Those bracket (5'), reclining device, and seat belt anchor member (11') are normally covered with a cover member (C) in order to maintain the appearance of the seat aesthetically. The cover member (C) is formed with a cut-away portion (C2) through which the seat belt (1') passes. Also, the cover member (C) is attached laterally of the seat cushion (SC') by means of several securing brackets (C3). Some of the securing brackets (C3) are, as shown, fixed to the extension of an upper rail (SR1') associated with the slide rail (SR').
However, with this conventional arrangement, it has been found that the cut-away portion (C2) is defined relatively wider, and due to the interposition of such securing brackets (C3), there is a spacing between the inward edges of the cover member (C) and the lateral wall (SC1') of seat cushion (SC'). This hitherto construction leads to the drawbacks that (i) dust or small foreign materials or particles are dropped through those cut-away portion (C2) and spacing, and accumulated within the cover member (C) as well as upon the reclining device and seat belt anchor member (11'), which lowers the durability and operation of the reclining device and seat belt anchor (11'), and (ii) the cut-away portion (C2) of cover member (C) is still objectionable, in that the cut-away portion (C2) per se presents an uneven irregularity or poor design effect from the aesthetic viewpoint and is thus insufficient to improve the outward aesthetic appearance of the cover member (C), especially in the spot where the seat belt (1') crosses or extends outwardly from the cut-away portion (C2), and additionally the interior within the cover member (C) can easily be viewed through that cut-away portion (22).