Fixed thigh extender trim closeout

• US 9,278,636 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2013
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Messina, Benedict J., Duncan, Bradley C.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US14/018,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20150061343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle seat includes a seat back, a seat bottom, and a thigh extender assembly. The thigh extender assembly includes an extension bracket assembly attached to the seat bottom, a thigh support attached to an end of the extension bracket such that the thigh support is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a trim cover assembly disposed over the extension bracket assembly. The extension bracket assembly includes a seat bracket and an extension bracket with the extension bracket being moveable relative to the seat bracket such that when the thigh support moves between the retracted position and the extended position the extension bracket is concealed. The trim cover assembly is held fixed with respect to the seat bracket with the thigh support moving relative to the trim cover assembly.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat back;

a seat bottom; and

a thigh extender assembly including;

an extension bracket assembly attached to the seat bottom, the extension bracket assembly including a seat bracket and an extension bracket, the extension bracket being moveable relative to the seat bracket;

a thigh support attached to an end of the extension bracket such that the thigh support is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position; and

a trim cover assembly disposed over the extension bracket assembly such that when the thigh support moves between the retracted position and the extended position the extension bracket assembly is concealed with the trim cover assembly being held fixed with respect to the seat bracket with the thigh support moving relative to the trim cover assembly, the trim cover assembly including a support member and a trim cover, wherein the trim cover is folded over a first side and a second side of the support member.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a latching system for holding the thigh support at position relative to the seat bottom.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the trim cover includes a component selected from the group consisting of non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, leather, plastic sheets, vinyl sheets, and combinations thereof.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the support member includes a component selected from the group consisting of plastic sheets, vinyl sheets, and combinations thereof.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the support member is stiffer than the trim cover allowing the trim cover to be held in a planar manner.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the trim cover is folded over an end of the support member.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6 wherein the trim cover is sewn to the support member.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the thigh support defines an opening for receiving at least a portion of the trim cover assembly when the thigh extender assembly is in the retracted position.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the seat bracket includes a guide track and the extension bracket includes receiving slots that align to the guide track.

10. A thigh extender assembly for a vehicle seat, the thigh extender assembly comprising:

an extension bracket assembly attachable to a vehicle seat bottom, the extension bracket assembly including a seat bracket and an extension bracket, the extension bracket being moveable relative to the seat bracket;

a thigh support attached to an end of the extension bracket such that the thigh support is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position; and

a trim cover assembly disposed over the extension bracket assembly such that when the thigh support moves between the retracted position and the extended position the extension bracket assembly is concealed with the trim cover assembly being held fixed with respect to the seat bracket and the thigh support moving relative to the trim cover assembly, the trim cover assembly includes a support member and a trim cover, wherein the trim cover is folded over a first side and a second side of the support member.

11. The thigh extender assembly of claim 10 further comprising a latching system for holding the thigh support at position relative to the seat bottom.

12. The thigh extender assembly of claim 10 wherein the trim cover includes a component selected from the group consisting of non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, leather, plastic sheets, vinyl sheets, and combinations thereof.

13. The thigh extender assembly of claim 10 wherein the support member includes a component selected from the group consisting of plastic sheets, vinyl sheets, and combinations thereof.

14. The thigh extender assembly of claim 10 wherein the support member is stiffer than the trim cover allowing the trim cover to be held in a planar manner.

15. The thigh extender assembly of claim 10 wherein the thigh support defines an opening for receiving at least a portion of the trim cover assembly when the thigh extender assembly is in the retracted position.

16. The thigh extender assembly of claim 10 wherein the seat bracket includes a guide track and the extension bracket includes receiving slots that align to the guide track.