Method of fabricating a foam bun for an automobile high-back seat

• US 7,533,452 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2006
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timely Inventions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Timely Inventions, LLC
• Inventors: Espina, Roel C., Tuccinardi, Eugene M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cozart; Jermie E
• Application Number:
  US11/436,886
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 294/011, 294/020.3, 294/020.5, 294/020.6, 294/020.9, 294/021.8, 294/021.9, 295/271, 295/30, 29/911, 29/915, 297/217.3, 297/188.04
• US Class Current: 29/91.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7017 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

A high-back automobile seat having an opening defined by the seat'"'"'s rear surface. The opening allows mounting of utility or entertainment components for use by a passenger behind the high-back seat. Entertainment components such as a video screen or an integrated DVD player/screen may be mounted for viewing enjoyment. A formed seat bun with the opening provides the space for mounting of such components. The formed seat bun may be prewired to allow easier installation of electronic components. An area about the opening may be contoured to provide sufficient depth for flush mounting of components.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating a foam bun for an automobile high-back seat, the method comprising:

forming a mold that results in a rear portion of the foam bun having an opening for receiving a utility or entertainment component;

introducing a foaming agent into the mold;

allowing the foaming agent to form a positive impression of the mold; and

removing the mold to yield a formed foam bun;

wherein forming the mold comprises forming a mound about the opening such that the mound increases the depth of the opening.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the increased depth allows flush mounting of the utility or the entertainment component with respect to the mound.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the front portion of the foam bun is contoured with respect to the mound so as to generally maintain a desired thickness of the foam bun about the opening.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a wire pathway defined by the foam bun such that the pathway allows one or more wires to be routed from a first location adjacent the opening to a second location on the foam bun thereby allowing the foam bun to be prewired for easier wiring of the utility or the entertainment component installed in the opening.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the foam bun is formed from eurethane.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the opening is formed during molding of the foam bun.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the utility component comprises a storage compartment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the storage compartment comprises a cover.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the entertainment component includes a video screen.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the entertainment compartment includes a cover to hide the video screen from view when the video screen is not in use.