System for production of a passenger seat

• US 5,827,546 A
• Filed: 08/30/1996
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Proprietect LP
• Original Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
• Inventors: Burchi, Charles R., Hill, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/706,427
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 425/116, 425/117, 425/125, 249/91, 264/46.4, 264/46.7
• US Class Current: 425/116
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/1257 Joining a preformed part and a lining, e.g. around the edges
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5891 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/68 Seat frames
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery

Abstract

A passenger seat comprising: a frame element, vehicle anchorage means connected to the frame element, a seat body comprising a resilient material fixed with respect to the frame element and trim cover attachment means, the trim cover attachment means comprising a relatively high density, rigid foam member having a groove disposed in a surface thereof, the groove capable of receiving connection means comprised in a trim cover. A process, system and mold for producing a passenger seat are also described.

Claims

1. A system for production of a passenger seat, the system comprising:

a first mold for producing a frame element constructed of a relatively high density, rigid foam, the first mold comprising a first mold half and a second mold half engageable to define a frame mold cavity, the first mold half adapted for forming a trim cover attachment means disposed along at least portion of a periphery of the frame element and vehicle anchorage means; and

a second mold for adhering the frame element to a relatively low density, resilient foam, the second mold comprising a third mold half and a fourth mold half engageable to define a seat mold cavity, the third mold half adapted to carrying the frame element in a manner such that trim cover attachment means embedded in the frame element is adjacent to an interior surface of the third mold half, the third mold half further comprising sealing means disposed on the interior surface thereof at a location relatively peripheral to a position corresponding to the trim cover attachment means embedded in the frame element, said sealing means providing a seal to prevent an ingress of foam into said trim cover attachment means.

2. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the sealing means is a dam.

3. The system defined in claim 2, wherein the dam has a height of less than about 10 mm.

4. The system defined in claim 2, wherein the dam has a height of from about 2 mm to about 8 mm.

5. The system defined in claim 2, wherein the dam has a height of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm.

6. The system defined in claim 2, wherein the dam has a height of from about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

7. The system defined in claim 2, wherein the dam is disposed along a periphery of the interior surface of the third mold.

8. The system defined in claim 1, comprising pressing means for pressing the frame element against the third mold half.

9. The system defined in claim 8, wherein the pressing means comprises a member disposed on an interior surface of the fourth mold half and projecting into the mold cavity.

10. The system defined in claim 8, wherein the pressing means comprises a plurality of members disposed on an interior surface of the fourth mold half and projecting into the mold cavity, the members operable to press the frame element against the interior surface of the third mold half upon engagement of the third mold half and the fourth mold half in a closed position.

11. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the third mold further comprises receptacle means for receiving the vehicle anchorage means embedded in the frame element.

12. The system defined in claim 11, wherein the receptacle means comprises an aperture which permits the vehicle anchorage means to extend to an exterior of the third mold half.

13. The system defined in claim 12, wherein the third mold half further comprises pulling means for pulling vehicle anchorage means extending through the aperture.

14. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the pulling means comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

15. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the pulling means comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

16. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the first mold comprises vent means located in a part-line between the first mold half and the second mold half.

17. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the second mold comprises vent means located in a part-line between the third mold half and the fourth mold half.

18. Apparatus for producing a foamed passenger seat, comprising:

a first mold for producing a substantially rigid foam frame element, said first mold having a first mold half and a second mold half which together define a mold cavity, the first mold half adapted for forming at least one groove along a periphery of the rigid foam frame element, and

a second mold for adhering the rigid foam frame element to a resilient foam, the second mold comprising a third mold half and a fourth mold half which together define a seat mold cavity, the third mold adapted to support the frame element to cause the trim cover attachment means to be adjacent to an interior surface of the third mold half, the third mold half having a ridge disposed at a peripheral portion thereof corresponding to the trim cover attachment means in the frame element, said ridge providing a seal against ingress of liquid foamable polymeric composition into said trim cover attachment means.