Vehicular Trim Applications Using Film Adhesive In Lieu Of Stitching

• US 20110260508A1
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S..R.L.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Laframboise, Gregg, Potes, Duane Jr., Thimm, David, Smith, Sandra L., Stapleton, Teresa A., Koester, Daniel J., Howell, Marie R., Doerer, Richard P., Suiter, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,727,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/00 Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4815 Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5057 positioned between the surfaces to be joined B29C65/5035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5326 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/30 Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof vanes or blades B29L2031/08, air bags B29L2022/027
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/771 Seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/58 Seat coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/5808 comprising opening zones for airbags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness

Abstract

A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.

Claims

1. A trim cover for covering a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover comprising:

an inner and outer surface;

a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner and outer surfaces in a predetermined position on the trim cover.

2. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said trim cover includes a first and second pattern pieces and a bonding tape applied to at least a portion of said first pattern piece outer surface and at least a portion of said inner surface of said second pattern piece for seamlessly bonding said first and second pattern pieces together.

3. The trim cover of claim 2 wherein at least one of said first and second pattern pieces includes a flap portion for use with attachment to a seat frame of the seat assembly

4. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said trim cover includes an opening having an edge.

5. The trim cover of claim 4 wherein said bonding tape is formed to cover said opening and applied to said edge of said opening for seamlessly bonding to said edge of said opening;

6. The trim cover of claim 5 wherein said bonding tape is formed with an opening for receiving a component of the seat assembly.

7. The trim cover of claim 6 wherein said component is a seat belt.

8. The trim cover of claim 6 wherein said component is an isofix rod.

9. The trim cover of claim 4 wherein said bonding tape is applied to a flap of said trim cover and said edge of said opening for seamlessly bonding said flap to said edge of said opening.

10. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said bonding tape is used to attach a pocket to said outer surface of said trim cover.

11. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said bonding tape is used to apply a heating element to a predetermined position of said inner surface of said trim cover.

12. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said bonding tape is used to attach a seat control panel to a predetermined position of said outer surface

13. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said bonding tape applied to said outer surface in a predetermined position on the trim cover proximate a component of the seat assembly to reduce vibration and noise caused by the interaction between the trim cover outer surface and said component.

14. The trim cover of claim 13 wherein said component is a headrest.

15. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said bonding tape is applied to at least one of said inner and outer surfaces at a predetermined position of said trim cover to provide increase material thickness in such position.

16. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said bonding tape is formed as a decorative element and applied to a predetermined position of said outer surface of said trim cover.

17. The trim cover of claim 16 wherein said decorative element includes letters.

18. The trim cover of claim 16 wherein said decorative element is a stitch-like pattern.

19. The trim cover of claim 16 wherein said decorative element is a shape.

20. A seat assembly in a vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

a cushion;

a trim cover covering said cushion and said frame;

a bonding tape bonded to an inner surface of said trim cover;

wherein said bonding tape includes an elastic member having loops at an opposite end thereof for attaching the elastic member to a frame of the seat back assembly.

21. A method of seamlessly manufacturing a trim cover for a seat assembly of a vehicle between a first trim component and a second trim component comprising the steps of:

laying the first trim component over a portion of the second trim component to define a joint;

providing a bonding tape at said joint;

applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time to said bonding tape;

providing a male contoured mold surface;

laying said first trim component, said joint with said bonding tape, and said second trim component over said contoured mold surface;

providing a female mold surface having an inwardly extending mold surface formed for receiving said male contoured mold surface;

positioning said male mold surface inside of said female mold surface;

applying heat and pressure over a predetermine time to the first trim component, said joint with said bonding tape, and said second trim component;

removing said male mold surface from inside of said female mold surface;

removing said first trim component, said joint with said bonding tape, and said second trim component;

wherein said first trim component, said joint with said bonding tape, and said second trim component form a one-piece trim cover for a seat assembly of a vehicle.