Garment for use with seat restraints and method of use therefor

1. An apparatus for use with a seat assembly having a lower seat portion, a seatback portion, and a plurality of harness straps mounted with respect to the lower seat portion and the seatback portion, the apparatus comprising:

a garment having an inner surface, an outer surface, and defining a plurality of slots that extend from the inner surface to the outer surface, said slots being sufficiently sized and positioned such that a respective one of the harness straps is insertable through a respective one of the slots when the garment is on the seating assembly;

wherein the garment has a first edge and a second edge;

wherein the garment is configurable such that the inner surface defines an enclosed space having a first opening between the first and second edges;

wherein the garment is movable from an open configuration, in which the first and second edges are separated, to a closed configuration, in which the first and second edges are adjacent one another;

wherein the garment includes a first fastening system configured to selectively retain the garment in its closed configuration;

wherein said plurality of harness straps includes first and second shoulder straps and a pommel strap; and

wherein said plurality of slots includes a first slot positioned to receive said shoulder straps and a second slot positioned to receive said pommel strap when the garment is placed on the seat assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the garment includes sleeves that partially define the enclosed space.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the garment includes a hood that defines a second opening of the enclosed space.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the garment defines a third opening, a flap that is selectively movable to a closed position in which the flap obstructs the third opening, and a second fastening system configured to selectively retain the flap in its closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first, second, and third openings are contiguous.

6. A method for use with a seat assembly having a lower seat portion, a seatback portion, and a plurality of harness straps mounted with respect the lower seat portion and the seatback portion, the method comprising:

positioning a garment having an outer surface such that the outer surface contacts the lower seat portion and the seatback portion, said garment also having an inner surface, and defining a plurality of slots that extend through the garment from the outer surface to the inner surface; and

extending at least one of said harness straps through a respective one of the slots;

wherein the garment includes first and second edges;

wherein the method further comprises placing a human on the inner surface of the garment;

fastening each of said harness straps to at least one of the other harness straps; and

closing the garment by securing the first edge adjacent to the second edge.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said plurality of harness straps includes first and second shoulder straps and a pommel strap;

wherein said plurality of slots includes first and second slots; and

wherein the method further comprises inserting the first and second shoulder straps through the first slot; and

inserting the pommel strap through the second slot.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the garment includes sleeves that partially define the enclosed space.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the garment includes a hood that defines a second opening of the enclosed space.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the garment defines a third opening, a flap that is selectively movable to a closed position in which the flap obstructs the third opening, and a second fastening system configured to selectively retain the flap in its closed position;

wherein the method further comprises moving the flap to the closed position; and

engaging the second fastening system to retain the flap in the closed position.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first, second, and third openings are contiguous.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of said harness straps is a pommel strap; and

wherein the method includes inserting the pommel strap through two of the plurality of slots.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the harness straps has a respective fastening element connected thereto; and

wherein the method further includes engaging each of the fastening elements to at least one of the other fastening elements.

14. A method for use with a seat assembly having a lower seat portion, a seatback portion, and a plurality of harness straps mounted with respect the lower seat portion and the seatback portion, the method comprising:

positioning a garment having an outer surface such that the outer surface contacts the lower seat portion and the seatback portion, said garment also having an inner surface, and defining a plurality of slots that extend through the garment from the outer surface to the inner surface;

extending at least one of said harness straps through a respective one of the slots;

wherein at least one of said harness straps is a pommel strap; and

wherein the method includes inserting the pommel strap through two of the plurality of slots.