Automotive modular seat frame assembly

• US 6,027,171 A
• Filed: 02/20/1998
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Partington, Eric, Slaven, John, Masters, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US09/027,280
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.18, 297/452.65, 297/284.1, 297/284.4, 297/284.6, 297/284.9, 297/452.23, 297/452.55, 297/452.58, 297/452.59, 297/452.29 , 297/452.3, 297/452.31, 297/452.32, 297/452.33, 297/452.34, 297/452.35, 297/452.36, 297/452.38, 297/452.4, 297/452.22
• US Class Current: 297/452.18
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02253 characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0747 the opening of the cross section being oriented in a direction different from the vertical, e.g. transversal
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0806 with pin alignment systems, e.g. with at least one of a plurality of locking pins always aligned w.r.t. at least one of a plurality of pin-receiving elements
• 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 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/688 Particular seat belt attachment and guiding
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1818 Belt guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat

Abstract

An automotive seat assembly which comprises a seat cushion, a seat back portion having a pair of spaced apart upright members each having upper and lower ends, and a cross member extending between the upper ends. A support member having front and back surfaces, a pair of spaced apart upright bolsters which are each pivotally connected to the support member, and two pairs of spaced apart walls defining two channels therebetween are disposed on the back surface of the support member and on each of the bolsters. The region of the back surface between each pair of walls serves as a hinge about which the bolsters pivot in order to facilitate the movement of the bolsters with respect to the remainder of the support member.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a support member including a back member and at least one bolster integrally formed with the back member; and

a hinge portion disposed between the back member and the at least one bolster and integrally formed with the back member and the at least one bolster, said hinge portion is defined by a pair of spaced apart walls on a back surface of said support member said pair of spaced apart walls defining a channel therebetween,

wherein the at least one bolster is pivotable about said hinge portion.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a bladder disposed in said channel for moving the at least one bolster relative to the back member.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of ribs disposed between one of said pair of spaced apart walls and the at least one bolster.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pair of spaced apart walls are discontinuously disposed on the back surface of said support member.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a bellow disposed above the at least one bolster for allowing movement of the at least one bolster relative to the back member.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a trim cover disposed over said support member.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further including at least one bladder disposed between said support member and said trim cover for extending and contracting said trim cover relative to said support member.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein support member includes hooks for receiving and retaining an attachment member affixed to said trim cover to attach said trim cover to said support member.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a seat back portion having upright members.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said seat back portion include female fasteners for receiving and retaining male fasteners disposed on said support member.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said male fasteners include resilient detents, said female fasteners include apertures disposed in said upright members, said apertures lockingly retaining said detents therein.

12. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a seat frame;

a seat pan supporting said seat frame;

a resilient contoured support member supported by said seat pan having top and bottom surfaces and including two sides extending for and aft and being laterally spaced apart from one another, a cross beam interconnecting said sides, said sides and said cross beam defining an opening therebetween for exposing a portion of said seat pan;

a seat bottom trim cover disposed about said support member;

a pad comprising an expanded material disposed between said seat bottom trim cover and said support member; and

said bottom surface of said support member includes a layer of material disposed thereon.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said support member is constructed of expanded polypropylene.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one fastener is disposed on the bottom surface of said support member.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said seat pan includes at least one receiver for receiving and retaining said at least one fastener disposed on said bottom surface of said support member.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said receiver is an aperture.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said at least one fastener is resiliently deformable, said resiliently deformable fastener being capable of being deformed to allow insertion of said fastener into said aperture and capable of re-expansion following insertion into said aperture whereby said fastener becomes lockingly engaged within said aperture.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said expanded material has uniform thickness.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further including a cushioning support disposed in said opening between said pad and said seat pan.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein said cushioning support includes a flexible sheet suspended across said opening.

21. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a seat frame; and

a support member secured to said seat frame and encapsulated by a trim cover, said support member having front and back surfaces, a pair of spaced apart bolsters and a cross member interconnecting said bolsters, said support member comprised of a rigid inner layer, a polymer layer disposed thereover, and an elastomeric outer layer disposed about said polymer layer.

22. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a support member including a back member and at least one bolster integrally formed with the back member;

a hinge portion disposed between the back member and the at least one bolster and integrally formed with the back member and the at least one bolster, the at least one bolster being pivotable about said hinge portion; and

a bellow disposed above the at least one bolster for allowing movement of the at least one bolster relative to the back member.