Seating system

• US 20050082896A1
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trinseo Europe Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc. (Dow, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gupta, Vikas, Ramanathan, Ravi, Koelman, Hein J., Kurtycz, Eric, Rogers, Steve J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,234,763 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/452.650
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/366 characterised by the locking device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/35 Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/02 of hand grips or straps

Abstract

An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).

Claims

1-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A method of forming an instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

providing a first cross-vehicle structure, the first structure being formed of a first material wherein the first material is a plastic;

providing a second cross-vehicle structure, the second cross-vehicle structure being formed of a second material;

joining the first structure and the second structure;

wherein at least one of the first and second cross-vehicle structures form at least a portion of an HVAC duct of the instrument panel assembly.

48. A method as in claim 47 wherein the second material is a metal.

49. A method as in claim 48 wherein the step of joining the first structure and the second structure includes welding.

50. A method as in claim 49 wherein the first structure includes a flange and the step of joining includes vibration or ultrasonic welding of the flange.

51. An assembly as in claim 47 wherein the first and second structures are panels.

52. An assembly as in claim 47 wherein at least one of the first and second structures is joined to a dashboard.

53. An assembly as in claim 51 wherein the dashboard adjoins a windshield mounted to a body structure of the automotive vehicle.

54. A method as in claim 47 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure, the second cross vehicle structure or both at least partially form one or more openings for fluid communication to a cabin of the automotive vehicle.

55. A method as in claim 47 wherein the step of providing the first structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

56. A method as in claim 47 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure and second structure are adapted to be joined to a separate show surface of the vehicle.

57. A method as in claim 56 wherein one or both of the first panel and the second panel include an opening for receiving an instrument or a gauge.

58. A method as in claim 57 wherein the show surface is formed of a molded-in-color thermoplastic polyolefin.

59. A method of forming an instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

providing a first cross-vehicle structure, the first structure being formed of a first material wherein the first material is a plastic and wherein the first structure includes a flange extending along a side of the first structure;

providing a second cross-vehicle structure, the second cross-vehicle structure being formed of a second material wherein the second material is a plastic and wherein the second structure includes a flange extending along a side of the second structure;

joining the first structure to the second structure including vibration or ultrasonic welding the flange of the first structure to the flange of the second structure;

wherein the first and second cross-vehicle structures cooperatively form a an HVAC duct of the instrument panel assembly.

60. A method as in claim 59 wherein the step of joining the first structure to the second structure additionally includes fastening the first structure to the second structure with a mechanical fastener.

61. A method as in claim 59 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure, the second cross vehicle structure or both at least partially form one or more openings for fluid communication to a cabin of the automotive vehicle.

62. A method as in claim 59 further comprising joining the first structure, the second structure or both to a metal reinforcement.

63. A method as in claim 62 wherein the metal reinforcement is a beam.

64. A method as in claim 62 wherein the metal reinforcement is formed of steel, aluminum, magnesium or a combination thereof.

65. A method as in claim 59 wherein the step of providing the first structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

66. A method as in claim 59 wherein the step of providing the second structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

67. An assembly as in claim 59 wherein the first and second structures are panels.

68. An assembly as in claim 59 wherein at least one of the first and second structures is joined to a dashboard and, wherein the dashboard adjoins a windshield mounted to a body structure of the automotive vehicle.

69. An assembly as in claim 59 wherein the first material and the second material includes at least one of a styrenic, a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polycarbonate, a polyester or mixtures thereof.

70. A method as in claim 59 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure and second structure are adapted to be joined to a separate show surface of the vehicle.

71. A method as in claim 70 wherein one or both of the first panel and the second panel include an opening for receiving an instrument or a gauge.

72. A method as in claim 71 wherein the show surface is formed of a molded-in-color thermoplastic polyolefin.

73. A method of forming an instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

providing a first cross-vehicle structure, the first structure being formed of a first material wherein the first material is a plastic and wherein the first structure is a panel that includes a flange extending along a side of the first structure;

providing a second cross-vehicle structure, the second cross-vehicle structure being formed of a second material wherein the second material is a plastic and wherein the second structure is a panel that includes a flange extending along a side of the second structure;

joining the first structure to the second structure and integrating a metal reinforcement therebetween wherein the joining of the first structure to the second structure includes vibration or ultrasonic welding of the flange of the first structure to the flange of the second structure;

wherein the first and second cross-vehicle structures cooperatively form a an HVAC duct of the instrument panel assembly.

74. A method as in claim 73 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure and second structure are adapted to be joined to a separate show surface of the vehicle.

75. A method as in claim 74 wherein one or both of the first panel and the second panel include an opening for receiving an instrument or a gauge.

76. A method as in claim 75 wherein the show is formed of a molded-in-color thermoplastic polyolefin.

77. A method as in claim 76 wherein the step of joining the first structure to the second structure additionally includes fastening the first structure to the second structure with a mechanical fastener.

78. A method as in claim 77 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure, the second cross vehicle structure or both at least partially form one or more openings for fluid communication to a cabin of the automotive vehicle.

79. A method as in claim 78 wherein the metal reinforcement is formed of steel, aluminum, magnesium or a combination thereof.

80. A method as in claim 79 wherein the step of providing the first structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape and, wherein the step of providing the second structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

81. An assembly as in claim 80 wherein the show surface adjoins a windshield mounted to a body structure of the automotive vehicle.