Device and method for fastening a backrest cover to a vehicle seat

• US 10,640,022 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Lindhorst, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell, Mark R
• Application Number:
  US16/215,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20190106032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 2972183
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5858 by elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6009 covering more than only the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/20 Measures for elimination or compensation of play or backlash

Abstract

A device and a method for attaching a backrest cover to a vehicle seat. Provision is made that at least one latching element with which the backrest cover is attached to the vehicle seat in an assembly step is mounted in a floating manner on the backrest cover. In this design, the latching element is movable along a defined guideway relative to the backrest cover.

Claims

1. A device for attaching a backrest cover to a vehicle seat, the device comprising:

at least one latching element that engages in the vehicle seat to produce a connection between the backrest cover and the vehicle seat, the latching element being subjectable to a spring force;

a guide element formed on the backrest cover on a side facing the vehicle seat,

wherein the at least one latching element is guided along the guide element relative to the backrest cover,

wherein the at least one latching element has a contact surface that is located on the at least one latching element in an upper end region that faces in the direction of the spring force acting on the latching element,

wherein the contact surface faces toward the vehicle seat and is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least one latching element,

wherein the at least one latching element additionally has a latching region in the upper end region of the at least one latching element,

wherein the latching region opposes the contact surface so as to face away from the vehicle seat, and

wherein the latching region is a stepped recess to accommodate a portion of the vehicle seat therein, the stepped recess being provided on an opposite side of the at least one latching element as the contact surface.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element has a surface along which the at least one latching element is guided relative to the backrest cover.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element is guided in a straight line along the guide element relative to the backrest cover.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is molded on the backrest cover.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring element that applies the spring force to the at least one latching element, wherein the guide element includes an end support for the spring element.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the spring element is a compression spring.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the end support of the guide element extends substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the at least one latching element, and wherein the end support has an opening through which a lower end region of the at least one latching element extends.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising plug-in elements provided on the backrest cover, wherein the plug-in elements engage in the vehicle seat in order to attach the backrest cover to the vehicle seat so that a first interlocking connection between the vehicle seat and the backrest cover is established by the plug-in elements, and wherein a second interlocking connection between the vehicle seat and the backrest cover is established by the at least one latching element, which likewise engages in the vehicle seat.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one latching element engages in a backrest frame of the vehicle seat and/or the plug-in elements engage in the backrest frame of the vehicle seat.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the backrest cover includes the at least one latching element.

11. A method for attaching a backrest cover to a vehicle seat via a device according to claim 1, the method comprising:

moving the backrest cover and thereby the at least one latching element in a direction towards the vehicle seat so that the contact surface of the at least one latching element comes into contact with the portion of the vehicle seat, and consequently the at least one latching element is moved in a guided way along the guide element relative to the backrest cover; and

engaging the stepped recess, provided on the opposite side of the at least one latching element as the contact surface, with the portion of the vehicle seat, due to the moving of the at least one latching element along the guide element, to produce a connection between the backrest cover and the vehicle seat.

12. A device for attaching a backrest cover to a vehicle seat, the device comprising:

at least one latching element that engages in the vehicle seat to produce a connection between the backrest cover and the vehicle seat, the latching element being subjectable to a spring force;

a guide element formed on the backrest cover on a side facing the vehicle seat; and

a spring element that applies the spring force to the at least one latching element,

wherein the at least one latching element is guided along the guide element relative to the backrest cover,

wherein the guide element includes an end support for the spring element,

wherein the spring element is a compression spring, and

wherein the end support of the guide element extends substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the at least one latching element, and wherein the end support has an opening through which a lower end region of the at least one latching element extends.