Vehicle seat assembly

• US 7,481,489 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Demick, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US11/686,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20080224509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 297/218.1, 297/218.2, 297/218.3, 297/218.5, 297/452.6
• US Class Current: 297/218.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly is configured for mating engagement with a selectively interchangeable first trim cover portion having a first attachment member. The seat assembly includes a foam cushion, a second trim cover portion having a second attachment member, and a clip defining first and second recesses operatively connected to the foam cushion. The clip is configured such that the first attachment member is insertable into the first recess for snap-fit engagement with the clip to retain the first trim cover portion with respect to the cushion. The second attachment member is in snap-fit engagement with the clip in the second recess to retain the second trim cover portion with respect to the cushion.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly configured for mating engagement with a selectively interchangeable first trim cover portion having a first attachment member, the vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a foam cushion;

a second trim cover portion having a second attachment member; and

a clip defining first and second recesses operatively connected to the foam cushion;

said clip being configured such that the first attachment member is insertable into the first recess for snap-fit engagement with the clip to retain the interchangeable first trim cover portion with respect to the foam cushion; and

said second attachment member being in snap-fit engagement with said clip in said second recess to retain the second trim cover portion with respect to the cushion;

wherein the clip includes a base portion and first, second, and third arms protruding from said base portion;

said first and second arms cooperating to define the first recess; and

said second and third arms cooperating to define said second recess.

2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein said foam cushion encapsulates at least part of said base portion.

3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the base portion defines a plurality of apertures;

and wherein said foam cushion extends through said plurality of apertures.

4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip is one-piece.

5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses are channels.

6. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a lower seat portion;

a seatback portion operatively connected to the lower seat portion;

a foam cushion forming at least one of the lower seat portion and the seatback portion;

a clip being operatively connected to the foam cushion and defining a first channel characterized by a first opening and a second channel characterized by a second opening;

a first trim cover portion;

a first attachment member mounted with respect to the first trim cover portion and being in snap-fit engagement with the clip in the first channel to retain the first trim cover portion with respect to the foam cushion;

a second trim cover portion; and

a second attachment member mounted with respect to the second trim cover portion and being in snap-fit engagement with the clip in the second channel to retain the first trim cover portion with respect to the foam cushion;

wherein the clip includes a base portion and first, second, and third arms protruding from said base portion;

said first and second arms cooperating to define the first channel; and

said second and third arms cooperating to define said second channel.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the first trim cover portion contacts the second trim cover portion.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the foam cushion is part of the seatback portion.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the foam cushion is part of the lower seat portion.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the foam cushion defines a trench;

and wherein the clip is at least partially disposed within the trench.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the clip is one-piece.