Encapsulated bolster
First Claim
1. In a seat assembly having a base frame and a seat cushion providing an occupant seating surface and a lateral support bolster along a lateral side of said occupant seating surface to provide lateral support for a seated occupant, the improvement which comprises said seat cushion and said bolster comprising a continuous foam medium encapsulating a portion of said frame and forming a body portion of said bolster and a body portion of said seat cushion, said medium having a joining portion defining a line of pivoting between said two body portions so that said bolster can pivot via said joining portion relative to said seat cushion, said bolster including insert structure internal of said body portion of said bolster and separate from said frame, said bolster and its insert structure having a major dimension disposed generally transversely to the lateral extent of said seat cushion, said bolster having top, laterally outboard and bottom surface portions, said seat assembly further including a cover overlying said seat cushion and extending outwardly laterally thereof to also overlie said joining portion and said top, laterally outboard and bottom surface portions of said bolster, said insert structure having a bottom edge portion adjacent said bottom surface portion which is exterior of said bolster body portion, said cover having an edge terminating at said bottom edge portion of said insert structure, and securement means securing said cover edge to said bottom edge portion of said insert structure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat system comprises an encapsulated bolster wherein the seat cushion and bolster are foamed as a unit with the two being connected by an integral joining portion of the foam. Hinge structure may be incorporated into the design to enhance the durability of the construction, foam being foamed onto the hinge structure. The seat cushion and bolster can be advantageously trimmed by extending the seat cover laterally from the seat cushion, over the integral joining portion, and over upwardly and laterally outwardly facing surfaces of the bolster. The cover is trimmed off adjacent a lower edge portion of the bolster where the trimming is concealed from view. Principles of the invention may be applied to various types of bolster systems.
50 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. In a seat assembly having a base frame and a seat cushion providing an occupant seating surface and a lateral support bolster along a lateral side of said occupant seating surface to provide lateral support for a seated occupant, the improvement which comprises said seat cushion and said bolster comprising a continuous foam medium encapsulating a portion of said frame and forming a body portion of said bolster and a body portion of said seat cushion, said medium having a joining portion defining a line of pivoting between said two body portions so that said bolster can pivot via said joining portion relative to said seat cushion, said bolster including insert structure internal of said body portion of said bolster and separate from said frame, said bolster and its insert structure having a major dimension disposed generally transversely to the lateral extent of said seat cushion, said bolster having top, laterally outboard and bottom surface portions, said seat assembly further including a cover overlying said seat cushion and extending outwardly laterally thereof to also overlie said joining portion and said top, laterally outboard and bottom surface portions of said bolster, said insert structure having a bottom edge portion adjacent said bottom surface portion which is exterior of said bolster body portion, said cover having an edge terminating at said bottom edge portion of said insert structure, and securement means securing said cover edge to said bottom edge portion of said insert structure.
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14. In a seat assembly having a seat cushion providing an occupant seating surface and a lateral support bolster along a lateral side of said occupant seating surface to provide lateral support for a seated occupant, the improvement which comprises said seat cushion and said bolster comprising a continuous foam medium forming a body portion of said bolster and a body portion of said seat cushion, said medium having a joining portion defining a line of pivoting between said two body portions so that said bolster can pivot via said joining portion relative to said seat cushion, hinge insert structure wholly disposed within the interior of said medium to provide reinforcement for the hinging action of said joining portion, said hinge insert structure comprising a one-piece molded plastic element having flanges joining together along a common web of thinness which forms a hinge between the two flanges, said web being coaxial with the line of pivoting.
Specification