Vehicle Seat Assembly

• US 20080224509A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Demick, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/218.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly is configured for mating engagement with a selectively interchangeable first trim cover portion having a first attachment member. The seat assembly includes a foam cushion, a second trim cover portion having a second attachment member, and a clip defining first and second recesses operatively connected to the foam cushion. The clip is configured such that the first attachment member is insertable into the first recess for snap-fit engagement with the clip to retain the first trim cover portion with respect to the cushion. The second attachment member is in snap-fit engagement with the clip in the second recess to retain the second trim cover portion with respect to the cushion.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly configured for mating engagement with a selectively interchangeable first trim cover portion having a first attachment member, the vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a foam cushion;

a second trim cover portion having a second attachment member; and

a clip defining first and second recesses operatively connected to the foam cushion;

said clip being configured such that the first attachment member is insertable into the first recess for snap-fit engagement with the clip to retain the interchangeable first trim cover portion with respect to the foam cushion; and

said second attachment member being in snap-fit engagement with said clip in said second recess to retain the second trim cover portion with respect to the cushion.

2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip is characterized by a base portion;

and wherein said foam cushion encapsulates at least part of said base portion.

3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the base portion defines a plurality of apertures;

and wherein said foam cushion extends through said plurality of apertures.

4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip includes a base portion and first, second, and third arms protruding from said base portion;

said first and second arms cooperating to define the first recess; and

said second and third arms cooperating to define said second recess.

5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip is one-piece.

6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses are channels.

7. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a lower seat portion;

a seatback portion operatively connected to the lower seat portion;

a foam cushion forming at least one of the lower seat portion and the seatback portion;

a clip being operatively connected to the foam cushion and defining a first channel characterized by a first opening and a second channel characterized by a second opening;

a first trim cover portion;

a first attachment member mounted with respect to the first trim cover portion and being in snap-fit engagement with the clip in the first channel to retain the first trim cover portion with respect to the foam cushion;

a second trim cover portion; and

a second attachment member mounted with respect to the second trim cover portion and being in snap-fit engagement with the clip in the second channel to retain the first trim cover portion with respect to the foam cushion.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the first trim cover portion contacts the second trim cover portion.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the foam cushion is part of the seatback portion.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the foam cushion is part of the lower seat portion.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the foam cushion defines a trench;

and wherein the clip is at least partially disposed within the trench.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the clip is one-piece.

13. A fastening system for engaging first and second attachment members, the system comprising:

a strip of material being characterized by a plurality of locally weakened segments at which the strip is selectively breakable into separate components, and defining a first channel and a second channel that extend across said plurality of locally weakened segments;

said strip being configured such that the first attachment member is insertable into the first channel for snap-fit engagement with the strip and the second attachment member is insertable into the second channel for snap-fit engagement with the strip.

14. The fastening system of claim 13, wherein the strip of material is one-piece.

15. The fastening system of claim 13, wherein the strip of material includes a base portion having a plurality of arms that define the first and second channels.

16. The fastening system of claim 13, wherein the locally weakened segments are perforated.