Automative seat back panel
First Claim
1. An automotive seat assembly comprising:
- a seat back defining an occupant back support and including a seat back frame having a front surface, a rear surface, and first and second side surfaces;
a cushion supported on said front surface of said seat back frame;
a trim cover material covering said seat cushion and at least a portion of each of said first and second side surfaces of said seat back frame;
a semi-rigid back panel having a substantially planar main body portion and a pair of substantially parallel side portions projecting substantially perpendicular to said main body portion;
at least one guide member projecting from one of a side surface of said seat back frame or a complementary side portion of said back panel in a first direction;
at least one positioner projecting from the other of said side surface of said seat back frame or said complemented side portion of said back panel in a second direction opposite said first direction and engaging said guide member, said positioner including a slot having a downwardly facing opening slidably receiving said guide member as said back panel is positioned onto said seat back frame until said positioner secures said back panel to said seat back and said guide member is retained in said slot so that said main body of said back panel covers at least a portion of said rear surface of said seat back frame and so that said side portions of said back panel cover said trim cover material on said side surfaces of said seat back frame.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive seat assembly including a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat back includes a rigid seat back frame supporting a contoured foam cushion encapsulated in a trim cover material. A semi-rigid back panel, having a main body portion and a pair of side portions, is mounted to the rear of the seat back to conceal the rear surface of the seat back frame. A pair of guide members are mounted to the seat back frame and a pair of positioners are mounted to the back panel for alignment and engagement with the guide members. The positioners have an opening for sliding around the guide members as the back panel is positioned onto the seat back frame. A fastening member is also secured to the seat back frame. The back panel also includes a receiving portion mounted adjacent the bottom of the back panel for encapsulating the fastening member which closes any gaps formed between the bottom of the back panel and the seat back frame. A trim retention device is attachcd to a portion of the trim cover material. A receiving bracket is also mounted to the back panel for engaging the trim retention device to secure the trim cover to the panel. The engagement of the receiving bracket and the trim retention device prevents separation of the trim cover material and the foam cushion from the seat frame.
56 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An automotive seat assembly comprising:
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a seat back defining an occupant back support and including a seat back frame having a front surface, a rear surface, and first and second side surfaces; a cushion supported on said front surface of said seat back frame; a trim cover material covering said seat cushion and at least a portion of each of said first and second side surfaces of said seat back frame; a semi-rigid back panel having a substantially planar main body portion and a pair of substantially parallel side portions projecting substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; at least one guide member projecting from one of a side surface of said seat back frame or a complementary side portion of said back panel in a first direction; at least one positioner projecting from the other of said side surface of said seat back frame or said complemented side portion of said back panel in a second direction opposite said first direction and engaging said guide member, said positioner including a slot having a downwardly facing opening slidably receiving said guide member as said back panel is positioned onto said seat back frame until said positioner secures said back panel to said seat back and said guide member is retained in said slot so that said main body of said back panel covers at least a portion of said rear surface of said seat back frame and so that said side portions of said back panel cover said trim cover material on said side surfaces of said seat back frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification