Vehicle Seat Trim Attachment

• US 20120187731A1
• Filed: 01/24/2011
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Guadagno, Leonardino
• Granted Patent: US 8,662,583 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/218.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5833 by hook-and-loop type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5883 by sewing, stitching or threading
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

In at least one embodiment a trim cover assembly has an attachment feature for securing the trim cover to the foam cushion of a vehicle seat. The attachment feature is formed of a strip of touch-fastener material having a first side and a second side disposed adjacent a pair of trim panels. Stitching joins the first side, the second side and the trim panels to each other to form a seam in the trim cover between the pair of trim panels in order to form the attachment feature with the touch-fastener material.

Claims

1. A method for forming a trim cover assembly having an attachment feature for securing the trim cover over the foam cushion of a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

providing a pair of trim panels;

providing a strip of touch-fastener material having a first side and a second side;

orienting the pair of trim panels so that a portion of the pair trim panels are adjacent;

orienting the strip of touch-fastener material so that the first side and the second sides are adjacent the pair trim panels;

joining the first side, the second side and the trim panels to each other to form a seam in the trim cover between the pair of trim panels in order to form an attachment feature with the touch-fastener material.

2. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein stitching goes through the pair of trim panels, the first side and the second side when the pair of trim panels, the first side and the second side are joined.

3. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein the pair of trim panels are aligned along at along at least one edge of each of the trim panels.

4. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first side of the touch-fastener material is disposed along one of the pair trim panels and the second side of the touch-fastener material is disposed along the other of the pair of trim panels such that the touch-fastener material forms a loop that covers the edges of each of the trim panel.

5. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 1 further comprising forming at least one verification feature in the touch-fastener material for verifying the pair of trim panels and the strip of touch-fastener material are aligned prior to joining the pair of trim panels and the first and second sides of the touch-fastener.

6. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 5 wherein the verification feature ensures the seam is stitched a minimum distance from an edge of the pair of trim panels.

7. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 5 wherein the verification feature is an eyelet opening formed by punching the eyelet opening along the touch-fastener.

8. The method for forming a trim cover assembly according to claim 5 wherein the verification feature is an eyelet opening formed by weaving the eyelet opening along the touch-fastener.

9. A trim cover assembly having an attachment feature for securing the trim cover to the foam cushion of a vehicle seat, the trim cover assembly comprising:

a pair of trim panels;

a strip of touch-fastener material having a first side and a second side, the strip of touch-fastener material disposed adjacent the pair of trim panels;

stitching joining the first side, the second side and the trim panels to each other to form a seam in the trim cover between the pair of trim panels in order to form an attachment feature with the touch-fastener material.

10. The trim cover assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first side of the touch-fastener material is disposed along one of the pair trim panels and the second side of the touch-fastener material is disposed along the other of the pair of trim panels such that the touch-fastener material forms a loop that covers the edges of each of the trim panel.

11. The trim cover assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first side of the touch-fastener material is disposed directly adjacent one of the pair trim panels and the second side of the touch-fastener material is directly to the other of the pair of trim panels such that the touch-fastener material forms a loop that covers the edges of each of the trim panel, without an intermediate seam.

12. The trim cover assembly according to claim 9 wherein the touch-fastener material includes at least one verification feature in the touch-fastener material for verifying the pair of trim panels and the strip of touch-fastener material are aligned prior to securing the pair of trim panels and the first and second sides of the touch-fastener.

13. The trim cover assembly according to claim 12 wherein the verification feature is an eyelet opening formed along the strip of touch-fastener material.

14. The trim cover assembly according to claim 13 wherein the diameter of the eyelet opening is less than half the width of the touch-fastener.

15. A trim cover assembly according to claim 13 wherein the touch-fastener includes a plurality of eyelet openings along the strip of touch-fastener material.

16. A trim cover assembly according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of eyelet openings are formed in alternating locations along the first side and the second side of the touch-fastener.

17. A trim cover assembly according to claim 9 wherein the seat cushion includes a trench in which a mating touch-fastener material is disposed so that the attachment feature engages the trench in the cushion and is secured to the mating touch-fastener material, thereby securing the trim cover to the cushion.

18. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a foam cushion having at least one trench formed in the foam cushion;

a touch-fastener material disposed in the at least one trench;

a trim cover assembly including an attachment feature for securing the trim cover over to the foam cushion, the attachment feature including;

a pair of trim panels;

a strip of mating touch-fastener material having a first side and a second side, the strip of mating touch-fastener material disposed adjacent the pair of trim panels;

stitching joining the first side, the second side and the trim panels to each other,

wherein the trim cover is secured to the foam cushion when the attachment feature is aligned with the at least one trench so that the touch-fastener material retains the mating touch-fastener material.

19. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 18 wherein the touch-fastener material is molded in the foam cushion.

20. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 18 wherein the first side of the mating touch-fastener material is disposed directly adjacent one of the pair trim panels and the second side of the mating touch-fastener material is directly to the other of the pair of trim panels such that the mating touch-fastener material forms a loop that covers the edges of each of the trim panel, without an intermediate seam.