Vehicular trim applications using film adhesive in lieu of stitching

• US 8,727,449 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S..R.L.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Laframboise, Gregg, Thimm, David, Doerer, Richard P., Koester, Daniel J., Howell, Marie R., Smith, Sandra L., Suiter, Jeffrey, Stapleton, Teresa A., Potes, Duane Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allred, David E
• Application Number:
  US12/934,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20110260508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,882 Days
• Field of Search: 297/482, 297/452.62, 297/219.12, 297/463.2
• US Class Current: 297/482
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/00 Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4815 Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5057 positioned between the surfaces to be joined B29C65/5035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5326 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/30 Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof vanes or blades B29L2031/08, air bags B29L2022/027
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/771 Seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/58 Seat coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/5808 comprising opening zones for airbags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness

Abstract

A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.

Claims

1. A trim cover apparatus for covering a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover apparatus comprising:

a fabric or leather trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a first opening having two dimensions in a plane of the trim cover for receiving a vehicle component;

a bonding tape having an adhesive only on one side, the bonding tape applied to at least one of said inner and outer surfaces in a predetermined position on said trim cover around said first opening;

said bonding tape having a second opening smaller along at least one of the two dimensions than the first opening, the second opening aligned with said first opening of said trim cover; and

said bonding tape being of a flexible material that at least partially closes a width of said first opening of said trim cover for engaging around the vehicle component.

2. The trim cover of claim 1 wherein said first opening includes an edge.

3. The trim cover of claim 2 wherein said bonding tape is formed to cover said opening and applied to said edge of said first opening for seamlessly bonding to said edge of said first opening.

4. The trim cover of claim 3 wherein said component is a seat belt.