Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a frame, and a trim assembly oriented about the frame to conceal the frame. The trim assembly is provided with a first trim panel, a second trim panel, and a structurally reinforced seam with piping along an intersection of the first trim panel and the second trim panel. Ornamental stitching is provided along an exterior length of the structurally reinforced seam and incrementally traverses the structurally reinforced seam to interconnect the first trim panel and the second trim panel along the structurally reinforced seam, and to provide an ornamental stitching appearance to the structurally reinforced seam.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seatback having a forward surface to support an upper body of an occupant and an upper console portion formed on a rear surface of the seatback. The seatback pivots at a seatback pivot axis to a use position where the seatback extends generally horizontal. A bottom cushion has an upward surface to support a lower body of the occupant. The cushion pivots at a cushion pivot axis to an access position to access a lower console formed along an interior surface of the seat bottom cushion.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a vehicle seat assembly includes a cushion and a leather trim cover assembly disposed over the cushion. The leather trim cover assembly includes a leather upper layer and a foundation layer secured to the leather upper layer at radio-frequency weld points. The radio-frequency weld points define at least one design boundary adjacent a raised portion of a protruding design in the leather trim cover assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly having improved trim appearance is provided as well as a method and mold tool for making the seat assembly. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly has at least one narrow trench having a substantially constant width of up to 5 mm, which provides for better tolerances when installing a trim cover on the cushion and provides improved appearance and comfort. In certain embodiments, the mold tool has at least one tool insert that is configured to create the at least one narrow trench with a substantially constant width in the cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an illuminated graphic feature. The vehicle seat includes an occupant support. The vehicle seat also includes a light source supported on the occupant support. The light source emits light in an illumination direction when activated. The seat also includes a graphic image that the light that travels in the illumination direction. A cover layer is located in the illumination direction from the graphic image. An illuminated graphic feature is visible through the cover layer when the light source is activated.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seatback having a forward surface to support an upper body of an occupant and an upper console portion formed on a rear surface of the seatback. The seatback pivots at a seatback pivot axis to a use position where the seatback extends generally horizontal. A bottom cushion has an upward surface to support a lower body of the occupant. The cushion pivots at a cushion pivot axis to an access position to access a lower console formed along an interior surface of the seat bottom cushion.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a frame, and a trim assembly oriented about the frame to conceal the frame. The trim assembly is provided with a first trim panel, a second trim panel, and a structurally reinforced seam with piping along an intersection of the first trim panel and the second trim panel. Ornamental stitching is provided along an exterior length of the structurally reinforced seam and incrementally traverses the structurally reinforced seam to interconnect the first trim panel and the second trim panel along the structurally reinforced seam, and to provide an ornamental stitching appearance to the structurally reinforced seam.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a vehicle seat assembly includes a cushion and a leather trim cover assembly disposed over the cushion. The leather trim cover assembly includes a leather upper layer and a foundation layer secured to the leather upper layer at radio-frequency weld points. The radio-frequency weld points define at least one design boundary adjacent a raised portion of a protruding design in the leather trim cover assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system having a seat part includes a non-foam base material covered with a trim material. The non-foam base material may include a plurality of different firmness zones based at least in part on at least one of a seated-occupant pressure map and a structural arrangement disposed adjacent to the seat part. The seat part may be, for example, a seat cushion, a seat back, or a seat bolster.

Abstract: A contour connect system for applying a vehicle trim includes a fabric loop and a low-profile hook component. The fabric loop component includes a spacer layer, Class A surface layer, and a loop-containing layer, the Class A surface layer being adhered to one side of spacer layer while the loop-containing layer is adhered to the opposite side of spacer layer.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an illuminated graphic feature. The vehicle seat includes an occupant support. The vehicle seat also includes a light source supported on the occupant support. The light source emits light in an illumination direction when activated. The seat also includes a graphic image that the light that travels in the illumination direction. A cover layer is located in the illumination direction from the graphic image. An illuminated graphic feature is visible through the cover layer when the light source is activated.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system having a seat part includes a non-foam base material covered with a trim material. The non-foam base material may include a plurality of different firmness zones based at least in part on at least one of a seated-occupant pressure map and a structural arrangement disposed adjacent to the seat part. The seat part may be, for example, a seat cushion, a seat back, or a seat bolster.

Abstract: A seat assembly having improved trim appearance is provided as well as a method and mold tool for making the seat assembly. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly has at least one narrow trench having a substantially constant width of up to 5 mm, which provides for better tolerances when installing a trim cover on the cushion and provides improved appearance and comfort. In certain embodiments, the mold tool has at least one tool insert that is configured to create the at least one narrow trench with a substantially constant width in the cushion.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a vehicle seat assembly includes a cushion and a leather trim cover assembly disposed over the cushion. The leather trim cover assembly includes a leather upper layer and a foundation layer secured to the leather upper layer at radio-frequency weld points. The radio-frequency weld points define at least one design boundary adjacent a raised portion of a protruding design in the leather trim cover assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly having improved trim appearance is provided as well as a method and mold tool for making the seat assembly. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly has at least one narrow trench having a substantially constant width of up to 5 mm, which provides for better tolerances when installing a trim cover on the cushion and provides improved appearance and comfort. In certain embodiments, the mold tool has at least one tool insert that is configured to create the at least one narrow trench with a substantially constant width in the cushion.

Abstract: A trim cover assembly securable over a cushion is provided. The trim cover assembly includes a leather trim material. A trim fastener is attached to the leather trim material for retaining the trim cover to the cushion. Therein the trim fastener elastically deformable so that the fastener that elongates between an extended position and a retracted position to allow the leather trim material to expand while minimizing deformation.

Abstract: A contour connect system for applying a vehicle trim includes a fabric loop and a low-profile hook component. The fabric loop component includes a spacer layer, Class A surface layer, and a loop-containing layer, the Class A surface layer being adhered to one side of spacer layer while the loop-containing layer is adhered to the opposite side of spacer layer.

Abstract: An airbag panel for a vehicle airbag system having an inflatable airbag and an inflator operable to inflate the airbag includes a first edge configured to be attached to a trim material in a vehicle interior along a first length to form a seam. A second edge may be configured to be attached to the first edge and the trim material along a second length, and at least one force-concentrating feature associated with at least one of the first edge or the second edge may be configured to effect application of a first force to a first portion of the seam and a second force less than the first force to a second portion of the seam when an inflating airbag contacts the seam.

Abstract: A trim cover assembly securable over a cushion is provided. The trim cover assembly includes a leather trim material. A trim fastener is attached to the leather trim material for retaining the trim cover to the cushion. Therein the trim fastener elastically deformable so that the fastener that elongates between an extended position and a retracted position to allow the leather trim material to expand while minimizing deformation.

Abstract: An automotive seat back foam pad assembly includes a seat back foam pad and a panel. The seat back foam pad is configured to receive a seat back frame and includes a side pocket. The side pocket has a sidewall portion and is configured to receive an air bag module. The panel is attached to the sidewall portion and attachable with the seat back frame. The panel is configured to maintain integrity of the sidewall portion during air bag module deployment.