Decorative and functional upper seatback closeout assembly

• US 9,914,378 B1
• Filed: 12/16/2016
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Casey, Carol Diane, Gagnier, Todd, Soyka, Jr., Richard Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Rodney B
• Application Number:
  US15/382,236
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 2972181, 2972183, 2972184, 2972185, 29745213, 29745214, 29745238, 29745258, 29745259
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6009 covering more than only the seat

Abstract

A decorative closeout assembly includes a gap hider. A U-shaped body portion is constructed from a fabric and includes a plurality of peripheral tabs. First and second inwardly-extending flaps extend inwardly and are operably coupled with a laterally-extending flexible tensioner extending between the first and second inwardly-extending flaps and configured to maintain the body portion taut. A plurality of hooked barbs extend from a bottom side of the U-shaped body portion. An upper back support includes a U-shaped peripheral channel for receiving the plurality of hooked barbs.

Claims

1. A decorative closeout assembly comprising:

a gap hider including;

a U-shaped body portion constructed from a fabric and including a plurality of peripheral tabs;

first and second inwardly-extending flaps extending inwardly and operably coupled with a laterally-extending flexible tensioner extending between the first and second inwardly-extending flaps and configured to maintain the U-shaped body portion taut; and

a plurality of hooked barbs extending from a bottom side of the U-shaped body portion; and

an upper back support including a U-shaped peripheral channel for receiving the plurality of hooked barbs.

2. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped peripheral channel includes detents to retain the plurality of hooked barbs.

3. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the peripheral tabs includes a connecting aperture.

4. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

an inner closeout panel including a plurality of stakes for coupling with the connecting aperture of each peripheral tab.

5. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 4, wherein the upper back support is rotatable away from the inner closeout panel.

6. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped body portion is fabric.

7. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped body portion is vinyl.

13. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an upper back support including a U-shaped peripheral channel for receiving a plurality of hooked barbs.

14. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper back support is rotatable away from the inner closeout panel.

15. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 13, wherein the U-shaped peripheral channel includes detents to retain the plurality of hooked barbs.

8. A decorative closeout assembly comprising:

a gap hider including;

a U-shaped body portion constructed from a fabric and including a plurality of peripheral tabs, each of the peripheral tabs including a connecting aperture;

first and second inwardly-extending flaps extending inwardly and operably coupled with a tensioner extending between the first and second inwardly-extending flaps; and

an inner closeout panel including a plurality of stakes for coupling with a connecting aperture of each peripheral tab.

9. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of stakes are inserted through the connecting apertures and mushroomed to retain the gap hider.

10. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the peripheral tabs includes a connecting aperture.

11. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 9, wherein the U-shaped body portion is fabric.

12. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 9, wherein the U-shaped body portion is vinyl.

16. A decorative closeout assembly comprising:

a gap hider including;

a body portion including a plurality of peripheral tabs;

first and second inwardly-extending flaps extending inwardly and operably coupled with a tensioner extending between the first and second inwardly-extending flaps; and

a plurality of hooked barbs extending from a bottom side of the body portion; and

an upper back support including a U-shaped peripheral channel for receiving the plurality of hooked barbs.

17. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

an inner closeout panel including a plurality of stakes for coupling with a connecting aperture of each peripheral tab.

18. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 17, wherein the upper back support is rotatable away from the inner closeout panel.

19. The decorative closeout assembly of claim 16, wherein the U-shaped peripheral channel includes detents to retain the plurality of hooked barbs.