Cover Connector Attached To Cushion Patents (Class 297/218.2)
  • Patent number: 10933782
    Abstract: To prevent wrinkles from occurring on the outer skin member, in a vehicle seat including a urethane pad on which a groove is formed, a fixing member being embedded in the groove; trim covers covering a surface of the urethane pad; a suspender to suspend the trim covers sewn to each other for connection in the groove; and a plurality of tying members to tie the suspender with the fixing member, the suspender is provided with a seat cover suspension member and a reinforcement piece fixed to an edge portion of the seat cover suspension member, a number of slits are formed along the reinforcement piece at a portion of the seat cover suspension member where the reinforcement piece is fixed, and the plurality of tying members tie the suspender with the fixing member with a part of each of the tying members in abutment with the reinforcement piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Shindo, Masahiko Takahata, Yuuki Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 10808336
    Abstract: A knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over at least one foam support member of the vehicle seat and a fastener member integrally knitted in the knitted trim panel. The fastener member is configured to connect the knitted trim panel to the vehicle seat and at least a portion of the fastener member is made of a heat-activated yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Heidi H. McAdoo-Wilson, Janet C. Robincheck, Dorel M. Sala
  • Patent number: 10682939
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a pad including: a surface pad on a side of a seating surface; and a back pad integrated to the surface pad; and a cover member that covers the pad, a frame-shaped reinforcing member is insert-molded to an outer peripheral edge of the back pad, a part of the reinforcing member, which is a locked portion that locks an end portion of the cover member, is exposed from the back pad, a part in the outer peripheral edge of the back pad other than a part corresponding to the locked portion is formed with recesses, an engagement member attached to the end portion of the cover member being inserted into the recesses, and the part of the back pad corresponding to the locked portion is thinner than a part of the back pad where the recesses are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Araki, Koh Tanaka, Yoshifumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10477972
    Abstract: The invention includes an outer frame, fasteners, an inner frame, a supporting body and pressing strips. The outer frame has a surrounding trough. The fasteners are disposed in the surrounding trough. Each fastener has an engaging portion. The supporting body is made of a flexible material and has a loading side and a connecting side. The pressing strips are surroundingly attached on a periphery of the connecting side. An interval is kept between two adjacent pressing strips to provide flexibility. The supporting body covers the front of the inner frame. The pressing strips are fastened onto the rear of the inner frame. The inner frame with the supporting body is embedded into the surrounding trough to engage with the engaging portions of the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DONGGUAN KENTEC OFFICE SEATING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Su
  • Patent number: 10463153
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a back frame that includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a pair of side portions that cooperate to define an opening, wherein at least one of the top portion, the bottom portion and the side portions include a longitudinally extending channel, a back shell having a forwardly facing support surface located within the opening and configured to support a seated user, and an attachment portion that extends about at least a portion of a periphery the support surface, and a cover member extending over the support surface, wherein the cover member is directly attached to the attachment portion of the back shell at an attachment location, and wherein the attachment location and the attachment portion of the back shell are located within the channel and concealed from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers
  • Patent number: 10384572
    Abstract: A trim cover includes: a plurality of skin materials; and a sewing part formed by sewing two skin materials of the plurality of skin materials with multiple rows of seams which extend in parallel with a sewing line of the two skin materials. In the trim cover formed by sewing the plurality of skin materials, the inclining direction of the seam allowances of the two sewn skin materials can be easily made constant so as to suppress the meandering of the sewing line of the two skin materials, and the appearance quality of the vehicle seat covered with the trim cover can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekino, Yukihito Kobayashi, Norio Endou, Takahiro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10300817
    Abstract: At least a part of a seat cover (4) covering a vehicle seat (1) is formed of a seat-cover skin material (5) including a surface material (10), a cushion material (11), and a backing material (12) which are laminated in this order and are integrally joined together, and a stitch portion (20) at which the surface material (10) and the backing material (12) are sewn together, wherein an elongation percentage of the surface material (10) is greater than an elongation percentage of the backing material (12) when the same load is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Aida, Hiroshi Sekino
  • Patent number: 10137808
    Abstract: A recessed seam structure for a cover (3) that improves workability when forming a recessed seam (A) and allows frequent attachment and detachment at the recessed seam (A) is provided. In a seat (1) having the recessed seam (A) formed by pulling part of the cover (3) toward a side of a cushion material (2), the recessed seam (A) is provided with an opening and closing fastener (30) configured to couple the cover (3) and the cushion material (2), and the opening and closing fastener (30) includes a first fastener half (31) fixed to a back face of the cover (3) and a second fastener half (32) fixed to the cushion material (2). In such a seat (1), the recessed seam (A) can be formed easily and reliably on the seat (1) by aligning an end of the first fastener half (31) in a longitudinal direction and an end of the second fastener half (32) in the longitudinal direction of the opening and closing fastener (30) and simply sliding a slider (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taku Nagasawa, Tomoyuki Uemura, Kazuyuki Kaneko, Takahiko Nagasawa, Tsutomu Fujikake, Ryo Kurobe
  • Patent number: 10081277
    Abstract: A trim cover for covering a pad, includes a hook and a skin, wherein: the hook includes: a base portion to which a first end portion of the skin is fixed; and a lock portion that is connected to the base portion and into which a second end portion of the skin is inserted; the first end portion includes: a fixed portion that is fixed to the base portion to be overlapped with a front surface of the base portion; and a folded portion that is folded toward a rear surface of the base portion along an edge of the base portion on a side opposite to the lock portion; and both side portions of the folded portion are arranged to protrude toward the lock portion and arranged to be overlapped with the lock portion and protrude to the outside in the width direction from the lock portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi Moroi
  • Patent number: 9663007
    Abstract: There is provided a cover material fastening clip for attaching a cover material to a cushion material. The clip is provided with a locking portion, a hook portion and a guide portion. The hook portion is provided with an extending portion that extends downward from the locking portion, a first hook piece a second hook portion. The guide portion is formed in the locking portion or the extending portion and is located above the first and second hook pieces. A space between a leading end portion of the first hook piece and the guide portion serves as a first insertion opening with a predetermined gap into which the wire is inserted. A space between a leading end portion of the second hook piece and the guide portion serves as a second insertion opening with a predetermined gap into which the wire is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Genta Matsumura, Tomonari Yoshida, Yoshitomo Iyoda, Shinsuke Saiga
  • Patent number: 9630538
    Abstract: A side support cover for application to a vehicle seat having a backrest part is disclosed. The side support cover includes left and right cover bodies for covering respective left and right side supports, and left and right lace members with one ends attached to the respective cover bodies. The left and right lace members are connected to the left and right cover bodies at a point positioned in the vicinity of boundaries between the lace members and the side supports. The backrest part has through-holes extending through the backrest part in a front-back direction. The lace members are passed through the respective through-holes in a state of being tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA ACCESS CORP.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuhashi, Takumi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Ando
  • Patent number: 9380840
    Abstract: A knitted surface fastener is provided that is capable of firmly forming warp knitting structure of a sewn area and achieving weight reduction as well as production costs reduction. A knitted surface fastener includes a pair of right and left sewn areas and a surface fastener area disposed between the right and left sewn areas. An average used amount of the weft insertion yarns in the sewn areas is set to be larger than an average used amount of the weft insertion yarns in the surface fastener area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhisa Okawa, Takeshi Kyuwa, Yuichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9346379
    Abstract: A seat back pad 70 has a groove 73 for tucking a skin material therein, formed at borders between a central portion 71 and side portions 72. A hole (slot hole 74) is formed in a bottom of the groove 73 along the groove 73. A tuck-in wire 76 for tucking the skin material in includes a plurality of tuck-in portions 76A provided along the groove 73, and a connecting portion (detour portion 76B) detouring around the hole and connecting the tuck-in portions 76A. With this configuration, when an upper body of an occupant P subsides into a seat back S2 in a rear-end collision of a vehicle, the central portion 71, defined by the groove 73 as a border, is easily and sufficiently moved rearward relative to the left and right side portions 72. Furthermore, the tuck-in wire 76 is not exposed through the hole, and thus adhesion between the seat back pad 70 and the tuck-in wire 76 can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamasa Adachi, Tsutomu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9004591
    Abstract: A fixing unit includes: an attachment member attached to a seat body; an engaging member engaged with an opening provided to the seat body; and a string member connecting the attachment member and the engaging member, the string member being engaged with a cover. The engaging member includes: a body to which the string member is attached; a first contact portion provided to the body to be in contact with a first periphery of the opening; and an insert portion provided on the body at a position spaced apart from the first contact portion, the insert portion being inserted into the opening. The insert portion includes a first restricting portion to be in contact with a second periphery of the opening opposite the first periphery to restrict the insert portion from being detached from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Yuichi Masuda, Eiichi Sasada
  • Patent number: 8979195
    Abstract: A seat cover is attachable to a seat section of a vehicle seat including a frame and an original cover, in the state of covering the original cover. The original cover is attached in the state where a hook-like original cover engaging tool including a pair of portions facing each other is hooked on an engageable portion of the frame. The seat cover includes a cover main body for covering the seat section, and a cover attaching tool provided along an end of the cover main body. The cover attaching tool includes a pair of cover seat portions facing each other and is hook-like. The cover attaching tool is allowed to be hooked on the original cover engaging tool hooked on the engageable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Eleven International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Itakura
  • Patent number: 8974004
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat component such as a seat cushion and a seat back, the seat component including, a cushioning material constituting an outer shape of the vehicle seat, a through-hole penetrating the cushioning material in a thickness direction thereof, and a skin material configured to cover the cushioning material, wherein a reinforcing wire is embedded into the cushioning material at both sides of the through-hole, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noritaka Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8919878
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle seat having a seat component member, for example a seat cushion or a seat back. The seat component member has a pad forming a seat contour, a cover covering the pad and a mounting portion. At the mounting portion, a part of the cover is mounted to the pad by pulling the part of the cover to the pad. The mounting portion has a first portion for receiving pressure when an occupant seats on the vehicle seat, and a second portion for receiving a pressure lower than that the first portion receives. The mounting portion may have a structure in which the first portion is more flexible than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noritaka Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8882203
    Abstract: An engaging member for attaching an upholstery material to a cushion member, which has a positioning member at least one lengthwise terminal end. The positioning member places the starting end of loop engaging element portion in precise position in the groove of the cushion member. The engaging member is long and flexible and bends in conformity with the complicated shape of the curved groove. The method of producing an upholstered cushion molding using the engaging member improves the working efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd., Morito Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Takehara, Satoru Ono, Eiichirou Doi, Takeshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8857018
    Abstract: A cover-material fixing clip includes: a chuck that pinches a locking hem formed on a back surface of a cover material; a hook that locks a wire provided in a groove of a cushion material; and a guide lever that is provided facing an opening of the hook. A proximal end of the hook is connected to a bottom of the chuck opposite to the cover material. The guide lever is connected to a side surface of the chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Tetsuya Yoshino, Eiichi Sasada
  • Patent number: 8834975
    Abstract: A modular block system that is aesthetically and functionally versatile by providing a plurality of independent puzzle-like block members to form furniture, table, wall and floor coverings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Friedman
  • Patent number: 8814267
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to securing a trim cover to a vehicle seat cushion. In at least one embodiment, a seat cushion assembly comprises a foam cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, and at least one slot extending therebetween, a trim cover extending over the foam cushion, and a trim cover attachment assembly secured to the trim cover for securing the trim cover adjacent the foam cushion. In at least one embodiment, the trim cover attachment assembly comprises a flexible sheet having a first end attached to the trim cover and a second end having a paddle that sits adjacent the “B” surface of the foam cushion, the fabric extending through the slot of the foam cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Welch, Sr., William Paruszkiewicz, James Clauser, Jeffrey Joseph Frelich, Paul S. Severinski, Louella Patterson
  • Patent number: 8794708
    Abstract: The invention relates to the upholstery of a seat element for a motor vehicle and to the method of creating it, in which method a foam support block is produced to fit a frame element; a cover element is created by cold-forming a foam sprayed onto a polypropylene substrate and attached on the reverse side of a textile material in the form of a skin or synthetic material to define the visible shape of the seat element; and the cover element is attached to the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Autmobile
    Inventors: Nicolas Besnard, Régis Couedro, Fabrice Etienne, Etienne Poulet
  • Patent number: 8752902
    Abstract: A trim attachment retainer having a body portion including a proximal end and an engagement end. At least one cross member is integral with and substantially orthogonal to the body portion. At least one barb extends from the engagement end. The at least one barb includes a base and a distal end. The distal end is closer than the base to the at least one cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Vincent Labish
  • Patent number: 8690256
    Abstract: A seat cushion having a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements in particular for utilization in vehicle seats. The fastening element has a plate-shaped retainer element foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein the fastening element has at least one counter-retainer that is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein a stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner, wherein the counter-retainer is implemented in the type of a fastening web, the two ends thereof being connected to the plate-shaped retainer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: F. S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Günter Meckelmann
  • Patent number: 8690241
    Abstract: A fastening assembly and a cushion having the same are disclosed. The fastening assembly includes a first band, a second band, and a third band. The first band has a first surface protrudingly provided with a plurality of hooks, and a second surface provided with a magnetic layer. The second band is made of a sponge material and is provided lengthwise with a central concave portion and bilaterally with sidewalls. The first band is placed on the central concave portion. The depth of the central concave portion is greater than the thickness of the first band plus the hooks. The third band is bonded to a bottom surface of the second band with another magnetic layer disposed between the second band and the third band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Paiho Limited
    Inventor: Sen-Mei Cheng
  • Patent number: 8662583
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment a trim cover assembly has an attachment feature for securing the trim cover to the foam cushion of a vehicle seat. The attachment feature is formed of a strip of touch-fastener material having a first side and a second side disposed adjacent a pair of trim panels. Stitching joins the first side, the second side and the trim panels to each other to form a seam in the trim cover between the pair of trim panels in order to form the attachment feature with the touch-fastener material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Leonardino Guadagno
  • Patent number: 8511754
    Abstract: An upholstered seat element for a vehicle seat comprises a foam padding (10) having a surface generally shaped in conformity with an outward surface of the vehicle seat, a trim cover disposed on the foam padding surface, a sheet-type electric device arranged between the foam padding and the trim cover and an attachment assembly securing the trim cover to the foam padding. The foam padding has at least one channel formed therein on the foam padding surface, along which channel the attachment assembly is arranged. The sheet-type device has at least one strip-shaped portion crossing the channel in at least one crossing location. The foam padding has a recess formed therein at the at least one crossing location, the recess being dimensioned in such a way that the strip-shaped portion of the film type device may slide into the recess when the upholstered seat element is subjected to a force inducing deformation of the foam padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Fabian Leponce, Jean Claude Schmitz, Sanel Imamovic
  • Patent number: 8398174
    Abstract: A seat cushion has a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements, in particular for utilization in vehicle seats, wherein the fastening element is formed by a flat retainer element having a fastening web connected thereto and serving as a counter-retainer. The retainer element is foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, wherein the counter-retainer is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion. A stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can thus be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: F. S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8328277
    Abstract: A slide fastener element, cushion arrangement, vehicle seat or interior covering part. The slide fastener element includes a flexible, foamable lattice that is provided with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of slide fastener teeth secured directly to the lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Dagmar Brockschnieder, Silvia Krömer, Christian Neyrinck
  • Patent number: 8240759
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a trim cover assembly disposed proximate a cushion. The trim cover assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a first end coupled to the first portion, a second end coupled to the frame, and an elastomeric layer that exerts a tensile force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Hobl, Kevin John Withers
  • Publication number: 20120187731
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment a trim cover assembly has an attachment feature for securing the trim cover to the foam cushion of a vehicle seat. The attachment feature is formed of a strip of touch-fastener material having a first side and a second side disposed adjacent a pair of trim panels. Stitching joins the first side, the second side and the trim panels to each other to form a seam in the trim cover between the pair of trim panels in order to form the attachment feature with the touch-fastener material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Leonardino Guadagno
  • Patent number: 8201880
    Abstract: A seat cushion covering structure includes a fabric seat cushion cover into which conductive fibers, electrically connected at one end to a conductive member, are woven, and a groove, which is formed in the seat cushion and into which the fabric seat cushion cover is tucked. The conductive member is provided in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Kato, Fumitoshi Akaike, Seiya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8197010
    Abstract: A seat trim assembly including a cushion having an opening and a retention clip. The retention clip has a retention feature and a base disposed in the cushion. The base includes a pad and first and second arms extending from the pad at an angle. The retention feature extends from the pad and extending into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Paul Severinski
  • Patent number: 8118363
    Abstract: A tape-shaped engaging member F for fixing an upholstery material to seats, which includes a hook surface fastener composed of a double Raschel-knitted base fabric 1 and projecting mushroom-type fastening elements 2 on the surface of the base fabric and a foamed resin layer 3 integrally united to the back surface of the hook surface fastener, and a method of producing a resin molded article equipped with the engaging member. The tape-shaped engaging member is easily set to a mold, has good in-plane flexibility and deforms in good conformity with three-dimensionally curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Tanaka, Shiro Ogawa, Keiji Takehara
  • Patent number: 8099837
    Abstract: A low-profile clip adapted to secure a listing bead to a foam substrate and is constructed from a material that affords resilience, durability, high resistance to a wide range of temperatures during field use and seat assembly and ease of bead installation with high pull-out strength. The clip includes a base and a pair of legs extending upwardly from the base to a top barb. In this embodiment, the legs each extend upwardly from the base at a first angle of approximately 80 to 85 degrees and therefrom to each of the respective barbs at a second angle, with respect to a plane parallel to the base of approximately 88 to 90 degrees. In this manner the clip exhibits high performance while defining an overall height from tops of the legs to a bottom of the base of approximately ten millimeters or less making the clip particularly desirable for use in modern, thinner foam substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hope Global, division of NFA Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. Santin, Pasquale Rossi, David F. Jones, Timothy E. T. Scott
  • Patent number: 7946649
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a seat body adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. A seat component is provided adjacent to the seat body. A first attachment member is provided within one of the seat body and the seat component. A second attachment member is provided on the other of the seat body and the seat component. The second attachment member is engageable within the first attachment member such that the seat component is attached to the seat body through engagement between the first attachment member and the second attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Richard Reyes, Jeffrey Frelich, Ronald L. Miotto, James B. Clauser, George Edward Dishner, William Paruszkiewicz, Paul S. Severinski
  • Publication number: 20110049948
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a trim cover assembly disposed proximate a cushion. The trim cover assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a first end coupled to the first portion, a second end coupled to the frame, and an elastomeric layer that exerts a tensile force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ralf Hobl, Kevin John Withers
  • Publication number: 20100314922
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat fixing system, in particular for passenger seats, such as vehicle or aircraft passenger seats, having a seat part cushion in which or on which at least one linear fixing element is guided, having at least one cover part (14) for the seat part cushion which can be respectively assigned, wherein the cover part (14) has at least one hose-like fixing strap (32) in which at least one further linear fixing element (38) is guided, and having at least one connection element (22) for establishing a connection between the linear fixing elements (18, 38) for the purpose of securing the respective cover part (14) to the seat part cushion which can be respectively assigned, wherein the hose-like fixing strap (32) has a predefinable elasticity in a transverse or inclined direction with respect to the linear fixing elements (18, 38), wherein irregularities in the course of the seam are compensated for.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Konstantinos Poulakis
  • Patent number: 7837263
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a foam cushion, a flexible cover at least partially defining the outer surface of the vehicle seat, and a spacer fabric. The spacer fabric includes a first fabric panel operatively connected to the flexible cover, a second fabric panel operatively connected to the foam cushion, and an interconnecting layer. The interconnecting layer resiliently interconnects the first and second fabric panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Robert L. Demick, Jeffrey J. Kilmer, Eric M. Bruckbauer
  • Patent number: 7823980
    Abstract: A piece for a skin member of a vehicular seat has a base member and a leather laminated to the base member. The base member has a cushion having elastic properties and a base cloth adhered to the cushion. The base member and the leather include an adhering portion bonded by an adhering agent, a sewing portion formed by being sewn at outer peripheral portions of the base member and the leather, and a nonbonding portion in which the base member and the leather are not bonded between the adhering portion and the sewing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Niwa, Soji Yasukawa
  • Publication number: 20100259079
    Abstract: There is provided a long-life and strong cover material terminal treating member in which the terminal treatment of a cover material is easy to perform, and the terminal of the cover material is less liable to be taken away by a force from the outside, and which can withstand a long-time use. The cover material terminal treating member 10 for a seat part in which a cushion material 23 is covered with a cover material 24 includes a retaining plate 17 fixed to the terminal of the cover material 24a and a retaining clip 11 for storing the retaining plate 17. The retaining clip 11 includes a first wall part 12 fixed at a position different from the terminal of the cover material 24a, a second wall part 14 facing to the first wall part 12, and a connecting part 13 for connecting the two wall parts 12 and 14 to each other. In the end part of the second wall part 14, a retaining claw 16 bent at an acute angle and being in contact with one end side of the retaining plate 17 is erectingly provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Tsutomu Matsuzaki, Tsubasa Hitomi
  • Patent number: 7775589
    Abstract: An upholstery mounting system for an article of furniture with a furniture member, such as a chair back, and an upholstery backing member for being removably coupled to the furniture member. A plurality of mounting clips are fixed to one of the upholstery backing member and the furniture member, and a corresponding a plurality of mounting brackets are fixed to the other of the furniture member and the upholstery backing member. The mounting clips can have raised central portions that define apertures, and the mourning clips have elongate engaging members for being matingly received through the apertures in the mounting brackets for coupling the furniture member and the upholstery backing member. One mounting clip can have a longer elongate engaging member to facilitate alignment during coupling. A protuberance on each elongate engaging member can enable a mechanical engagement between the mounting brackets and the mounting clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Publication number: 20100060051
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing system for fixing covering material to a foam upholstery part of a seat, in particular vehicle or aircraft seat, comprising at least one anchor part that is designed as a profiled body (1) and encapsulated in foam in the upholstery part and a connecting part that can be connected to the covering material, acts in particular as a sewing ply (3) and is fixed to the anchor part along a connection region (7) which runs centrally between profiled side parts (13) in the longitudinal direction of anchor part profile. The profiled side parts lie opposite one another and extend on both sides of the connection region (7). Said system is characterised in that at least one respective channel (15) is formed in both profiled side parts (13), said channel running longitudinally, reducing the cross-sectional surface of the profile and being open on the exterior of the profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Konstantinos Poulakis
  • Patent number: 7673939
    Abstract: Structure of seat back is provided, which comprises: a seat back frame; and an upholstery cover assembly including a forward upholster cover element and a backward upholstery cover element. Those two upholstery cover elements cover respective forward and backward sides of the seat back frame, with an upper region thereof secured on top portion of the seat back frame by a headrest stay holder element. Outer peripheral ends of those two upholstery cover elements are engaged together by an engagement element, so that substantially a whole of the seat back frame is covered with the upholstery cover assembly, thus forming a seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Taguchi, Yasuyuki Itou
  • Patent number: 7607730
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an upholstery (5) for a passenger seat (1), particularly an aircraft seat, that comprises at least one layer (7, 26) in the form of a textile surface (8) consisting of threads (9 to 11) and/or fibers forming these threads (9 to 11). The textile surface (8) is at least regionally formed by a knitted spacer fabric composed of at least two layers (12, 13) that are spaced apart from one another and pile threads extending therebetween, wherein the textile surface (8) can be at least regionally connected to a supporting frame (6). At least one functional element (19) is at least regionally assigned to the textile surface (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Greiner Purtec GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Möseneder
  • Patent number: 7588290
    Abstract: The invention provides a simple mechanism whereby the material of a seat-cover assembly of the side section of the front of a vehicle seat stretches so as to snugly fit the shape of the seat's seat-pad assembly, thereby covering the seat so that it has a good appearance. A material-puller is arranged, on the boundary of the side section of the seat and the central section of a seat-cover assembly that covers the seat, in such a way that (a) the material-puller's top-end side of an appropriate length is affixed to the boundary between the rear-bottom part of said central section and the rear-bottom part of the side section, (b) the material-puller's bottom end is affixed to the front of a piece of cloth at the back-face bottom end of the main-part seat-cover assembly in the last step of sewing the cover on the seat, and (c) the seat-cover assembly is attached to the seat by pulling the bottom end of the seat-cover assembly in the backside direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Takezawa
  • Patent number: 7585025
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly of this embodiment includes a bun and a post. The post is adapted to attach the head restraint assembly to a vehicle seat. The head restraint bun includes a head restraint core and a trim cover. The trim cover surrounds at least a portion of the head restraint core. The trim cover includes a close-out section at which the trim cover is closed after the head restraint core is placed within the trim cover. A retainer clip is attached to the head restraint core at an attachment region. The head restraint assembly also includes a close-out retainer bracket which is attached to a close-out section of the trim cover. When the trim cover is in a closed position, the close-out retainer bracket is secured to the retainer clip. A method of assembly head restraints is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Welch, William Parusziewicz, Larry Hulme
  • Patent number: 7559100
    Abstract: There is described an attachment system for attaching a plurality of elements to a resilient body, preferably for attachment of a trim cover to a foam element. The system comprising a first element having attached thereto a first attachment portion and a second element having attached thereto a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion being releasably engageable with the resilient body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
    Inventors: Burkhard Pedde, Philippe Marenne, Michael Hack, Georg Heinl
  • Publication number: 20090146470
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seat back and a seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a seat cushion covered by a trim covering material. The trim covering material is connected to a support structure embedded in the seat cushion. An electrically powered auxiliary device is located between the seat cushion and the trim covering material and is removably attached to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Thompson, James Gregory Stanley
  • Publication number: 20090127900
    Abstract: Covers are secured to cushions that have an outer surface that has connection mechanisms that allow multiple cushions to be coupled to each other and an inner surface that will not damage the surface of the cushions. The covers are secured to the cushions with straps or elastic materials. The connection mechanism includes hook areas and loop areas that cover the outer surface of the covers. The cushions are coupled with the hook area of a cushion is pressed against the loop area of another cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Balchunas