Foam passenger seat having trim cover attachment means

• US 5,882,073 A
• Filed: 08/30/1996
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
• Original Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
• Inventors: Burchi, Charles R., Hill, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/706,432
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 297/218.2, 297/218.1, 297/452.58, 297/452.6, 297/452.55, 297/452.57, 297/DIG. 1, 297/DIG. 2, 297/452.48, 297/452.38, 5/402, 5/403, 5/404, 5/405, 5/406, 5/407, 24/616, 24/543
• US Class Current: 297/218.2
• 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 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/01 Foam

Abstract

A passenger seat having trim cover attachment structure includes a frame element, vehicle anchorage structure connected to the frame element, and a seat body having a resilient material fixed with respect to the frame element. Trim cover attachment structure is provided and includes a relatively high density, rigid foam member having a groove disposed in a surface thereof. The groove is capable of receiving connection structure included in the trim cover.

Claims

1. 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 having a groove disposed in a surface thereof, the groove capable of receiving connection means comprised in a trim cover,

the frame element comprising a foam, wherein the foam has an indention force deflection at 25% deflection in the range of from about 150 to about 4,000 pounds when measured pursuant to ASTM 3574-B₁.

2. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the frame element is made of a relatively high density, rigid foam.

3. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the frame element is made of a molded relatively high density, rigid foam.

4. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the attachment of the trim cover to the seat fixes the resilient material with respect to the frame element.

5. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the vehicle anchorage means includes an anchor portion to engage a portion of a vehicle and an attachment portion embedded in the frame element.

6. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the frame element is adhered to the resilient material.

7. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the frame element further comprises a dam disposed along a periphery thereof with respect to the groove.

8. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the frame element and the trim cover attachment means are integral.

9. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the trim cover attachment means is disposed along substantially an entirely periphery of the passenger seat.

10. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the frame element is made of a polyurethane foam.

11. The passenger seat defined in claim 10, wherein the polyurethane foam has an indentation force deflection at 25% deflection in the range of from about 500 to about 2,500 pounds when measured pursuant to ASTM 3574-B₁.

12. The passenger seat defined in claim 10, wherein the polyurethane foam has an indentation force deflection at 25% deflection in the range of from about 900 to about 2,000 pounds when measured pursuant to ASTM 3574-B₁.

13. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one pelvic support element connected to the frame element.

14. The passenger seat defined in claim 13, wherein the at least one pelvic support element is integrally molded with the frame element.

15. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, wherein the groove comprises a passageway having an open first end and a closed second end opposite the first end.

16. The passenger seat defined in claim 15, wherein the passageway is elongate and is substantially orthogonal with respect to the surface of the relatively high density, rigid foam member.

17. The passenger seat defined in claim 15, wherein the closed second end has a curved cross-sectional shape.

18. The passenger seat defined in claim 15, wherein the closed second end has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

19. The passenger seat defined in claim 1, further comprising a trim cover.

20. The passenger seat defined in claim 19, wherein the trim cover comprises connection means for attaching the trim cover to the trim cover attachment means.

21. The passenger seat defined in claim 20, wherein the connection means comprises a tongue member for insertion into and engagement with the groove.

22. The passenger seat defined in claim 21, wherein the tongue member comprises a locking portion and a body portion.

23. The passenger seat defined in claim 22, wherein the locking portion has a substantially circular cross-section.

24. The passenger seat defined in claim 22, wherein the locking portion and the body portion are substantially orthogonal with respect to one another.

25. The passenger seat defined in claim 22, wherein the locking portion comprises a plurality of jagged portions on the exterior thereof.

26. 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,

a trim cover having a connection means for connection to said frame element, and

trim cover attachment means, the trim cover attachment means comprising a relatively high density, rigid foam having a groove disposed in a surface thereof, the groove capable of receiving said connection means comprised in the trim cover, wherein the connection means comprises a tongue member for insertion into the groove, said tongue member comprising a locking portion which comprises a plurality of ribbed portions on the exterior of thereof.

27. 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,

a trim cover having connection means for connection to said frame element, and

trim cover attachment means, the trim cover attachment means comprising a relatively high density, rigid foam having a groove disposed in a surface thereof, the groove capable of receiving said connection means comprised in the trim cover, wherein the connection means comprises a tongue member for insertion into the groove, said tongue member comprising a locking portion which comprises a plurality of projections on the exterior thereof.