Abstract: A seat assembly includes a fabric component with a seat surface and with an interior segment directly attached to the fabric component. The interior segment extends from an exterior segment that has a greater flexural resistance than the interior segment.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a fabric component having a seat surface and a frame including an interior segment directly attached to the fabric component. The interior segment extends from an exterior segment that has a greater flexural resistance than the interior segment.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a support structure, a seat surface (14) and a molded polymeric frame (18). The frame has an edge region and the seat surface (14) is mounted to the frame (18) and the frame is mounted to the support structure. At least a portion of the edge region is flexible.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat surface having a periphery and a carrier overmolded onto the seat surface over the periphery. The carrier has a periphery and a frame is overmolded onto the carrier over the carrier periphery. The seat is assembled without fasteners. A method for making the seat includes overmolding a carrier onto a periphery of a seat surface to form a seat surface/carrier assembly, tensioning the seat surface/carrier assembly in a mold and overmolding a frame onto a periphery of the seat surface/carrier assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a fabric component having a seat surface and a frame including an interior segment directly attached to the fabric component. The interior segment extends from an exterior segment that has a greater flexural resistance than the interior segment.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a load bearing surface includes positioning an oriented polymeric membrane in a mount and applying a force to the polymeric membrane so as to create a stress in the membrane. The stressed membrane is heated to a temperature no less than about a temperature that the load bearing surface is expected endure in use. The membrane is maintained at the temperature for a first period of time sufficient to heat the entirety of the membrane and the it is cooled while maintaining the stress on the membrane. Following a predetermined cool down period, the applied stress is removed for availability of the end use product. A seating surface for use in a vehicle that is subjected to an elevated temperature is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat surface having a periphery and a carrier overmolded onto the seat surface over the periphery. The carrier has a periphery and a frame is overmolded onto the carrier over the carrier periphery. The seat is assembled without fasteners. A method for making the seat includes overmolding a carrier onto a periphery of a seat surface to form a seat surface/carrier assembly, tensioning the seat surface/carrier assembly in a mold and overmolding a frame onto a periphery of the seat surface/carrier assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a support structure, a seat surface (14) and a molded polymeric frame (18). The frame has an edge region and the seat surface (14) is mounted to the frame (18) and the frame is mounted to the support structure. At least a portion of the edge region is flexible.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a load bearing surface includes positioning an oriented polymeric membrane in a mount and applying a force to the polymeric membrane so as to create a stress in the membrane. The stressed membrane is heated to a temperature no less than about a temperature that the load bearing surface is expected endure in use. The membrane is maintained at the temperature for a first period of time sufficient to heat the entirety of the membrane and the it is cooled while maintaining the stress on the membrane. Following a predetermined cool down period, the applied stress is removed for availability of the end use product. A seating surface for use in a vehicle that is subjected to an elevated temperature is also disclosed.