Cross-tube attachment hook features for modular assembly and support

• US 10,239,431 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2016
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Berry, S. M. Akbar, Hosbach, Christian J., Casey, Carol
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US15/255,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 29728411, 2974521, 2974522, 29745218
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat. An attachment bracket is coupled to an underside of the seat and includes forwardly-extending hook features. Each hook feature defines a receiving aperture to receive a front cross-tube. A polymeric overmold is disposed over each hook feature. A downwardly-extending retention member is disposed between the hook features. Rear support hooks are configured to engage a rear cross-tube of the seat as a seat carrier is rotated downwardly into position during manufacture.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat comprising;

an attachment bracket coupled to an underside of the seat and including forwardly-extending hook features, each forwardly-extending hook feature defining a receiving aperture to receive a front cross-tube;

a polymeric overmold disposed over each of the forwardly-extending hook features;

a downwardly-extending retention member disposed between each of the forwardly-extending hook features; and

rear support hooks configured to engage a rear cross-tube of the seat as a seat carrier is rotated downwardly into position.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the forwardly-extending hook features include a plurality of ribs.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment bracket includes first and second forwardly-extending hook features.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second forwardly-extending hook features is proximate an independently moveable thigh support of a seat.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an upwardly-extending up-stop disposed on the attachment bracket.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a rearward vertical support wall extending downwardly from a rear portion of the attachment bracket.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

sidewalls extending upwardly from side portions of the attachment bracket.

8. A seating assembly comprising:

a seat;

first and second forward hook features receiving a front cross-tube of a seat frame;

a downwardly-extending retention member disposed between the hook features; and

rear support hooks engaging a rear cross-tube of the seat as a seat carrier is rotated downwardly into position about the front cross-tube.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

an opening defined in each of the first and second forward hook features.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second forward hook features includes a lateral body portion and vertical sidewalls.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second forward hook features are operably coupled with an attachment bracket that extends across a seating surface.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the attachment bracket includes first and second forwardly-extending hook features.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a rearward vertical support wall extending downwardly from a rear portion of the attachment bracket.

14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

sidewalls extending upwardly from side portions of the attachment bracket.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

an upwardly-extending up-stop disposed on the attachment bracket.