Abstract: A seatback includes a trim cover/foam assembly including a foam cushion with a trim cover assembly disposed thereon. The trim cover/foam assembly has an occupant support side and a rear side opposite to the occupant support side, and defines an opening therethrough. The trim cover assembly includes a rear panel on the rear side for closing the opening. The seatback also includes an attachment member on the rear side of the trim cover/foam assembly configured to engage the rear panel and an armrest assembly including an armrest pivotally disposed on a frame at a rear portion of the armrest, with the armrest configured to pass through the opening. Upon installation of the armrest assembly, the rear panel is secured to the attachment member and sandwiched between the rear portion and the attachment member.

Abstract: A seatback includes a trim cover/foam assembly including a foam cushion with a trim cover assembly disposed thereon. The trim cover/foam assembly has an occupant support side and a rear side opposite to the occupant support side, and defines an opening therethrough. The trim cover assembly includes a rear panel on the rear side for closing the opening. The seatback also includes an attachment member on the rear side of the trim cover/foam assembly configured to engage the rear panel and an armrest assembly including an armrest pivotally disposed on a frame at a rear portion of the armrest, with the armrest configured to pass through the opening. Upon installation of the armrest assembly, the rear panel is secured to the attachment member and sandwiched between the rear portion and the attachment member.

Abstract: A facemask assembly for a helmet is provided with a facemask. The facemask has an upper edge to be adjacent to a nose of a user and a lower edge to be adjacent to a chin of the user when the facemask is connected to the helmet. A first end attachment member is connected to a first end region of the facemask to attach to a faceguard. A second end attachment member is connected to a second end region of the facemask to attach to the faceguard. A series of intermediate attachment members are spaced apart from one another and connected to the facemask between the first and second end regions, with each intermediate attachment member to attach to the faceguard. A method of forming the facemask is also provided.

Abstract: A facemask assembly for a helmet is provided with a facemask. The facemask has an upper edge to be adjacent to a nose of a user and a lower edge to be adjacent to a chin of the user when the facemask is connected to the helmet. A first end attachment member is connected to a first end region of the facemask to attach to a faceguard. A second end attachment member is connected to a second end region of the facemask to attach to the faceguard. A series of intermediate attachment members are spaced apart from one another and connected to the facemask between the first and second end regions, with each intermediate attachment member to attach to the faceguard. A method of forming the facemask is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a structural member adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. The structural member has at least one channel formed therein. A cushion member is provided adjacent to the structural layer. The cushion member has at least one channel formed therethrough. A trim member is secured over the cushion member to form a seating surface. At least one attachment member is mounted to the trim member extending through the at least one channel of the cushion member. The at least one attachment member extends into the at least one channel of the structural member such that at least one of the trim material and the cushion layer is retained on the structural member.

Abstract: A trim clip is provided for attaching a trim cover to a cushion. The trim clip includes a clip body having a first opening for receiving an engagement feature attached to the trim cover, and a second opening for receiving a retainer attached to the cushion. Furthermore, the clip body may be configured to be snap fit onto the engagement feature and the retainer.

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 trim clip is provided for attaching a trim cover to a cushion. The trim clip includes a clip body having a first opening for receiving an engagement feature attached to the trim cover, and a second opening for receiving a retainer attached to the cushion. Furthermore, the clip body may be configured to be snap fit onto the engagement feature and the retainer.

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 vehicle seat assembly is provided with a structural member adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. The structural member has at least one channel formed therein. A cushion member is provided adjacent to the structural layer. The cushion member has at least one channel formed therethrough. A trim member is secured over the cushion member to form a seating surface. At least one attachment member is mounted to the trim member extending through the at least one channel of the cushion member. The at least one attachment member extends into the at least one channel of the structural member such that at least one of the trim material and the cushion layer is retained on the structural member.

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 vehicle seat assembly is provided with a structural member adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. The structural member has at least one channel formed therein. A cushion member is provided adjacent to the structural layer. The cushion member has at least one channel formed therethrough. A trim member is secured over the cushion member to form a seating surface. At least one attachment member is mounted to the trim member extending through the at least one channel of the cushion member. The at least one attachment member extends into the at least one channel of the structural member such that at least one of the trim material and the cushion layer is retained on the structural member.

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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates a vehicle seat assembly comprising a frame, a cushion supported on the frame, and a trim cover assembly secured over the cushion, the trim cover assembly comprising a leather trim material and a reinforcing layer secured to the leather trim material, the reinforcing layer being less flexible than the leather trim material, the trim cover assembly having a percent reduction in stretch relative to a similar trim cover assembly not having the reinforcing layer of 40% to 95% as measured according to SAE J855.

Abstract: A method of processing a leather material. The method may include providing a tanned and dried leather material and pre-stretching the leather material after the leather material is dried.

Abstract: A trim cover closeout system for securing adjoining trim cover portions on a vehicle component such as a seat at an opening between the trim cover portions, the system includes first and second trim edge attachment elements each having a mounting surface adapted to be secured to the edge of one of the trim cover portions and it an attachment portion including an outwardly protruding surface, and any longer closure element configured to extend over substantially the entire length of the opening, wherein the closure element may be slidably positioned over the attachment elements to secure the first and second attachment elements and, thereby, the edges of the adjoining trim cover portions to each other to close the opening. A vehicle seat assembly including the trim cover closeout system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing a leather material. The method may include providing a tanned and dried leather material and pre-stretching the leather material after the leather material is dried.

Abstract: A vehicle seat air bag assembly (17) having an air bag module (18) includes an air bag chute (44) that is foldable from a flexible sheet (46). The air bag chute (44) guides an air bag (40) of the air bag module (18) during inflation and movement to and through a trim cover deployment seam (34). The flexible sheet (46) has a panel (52) that is folded to provide panel portions (56) and (58) and straps (62) of one panel portion (56) extend therefrom in opposite directions and are folded back to connections (66) with the other panel portion (58). The connections (66) may be provided by stitching (70), heat staking (82), sonic welding (84) or slits (86) in the other panel portion for receiving the straps.